International Latino Book Awards

The 21st International Latino Book Awards Finalists: 

The Books Keep Getting Better

By Kirk Whisler

  The Int’l Latino Book Awards is a major reflection that the fastest growing group in the USA has truly arrived. The Awards are now by far the largest Latino cultural Awards in the USA and with the 257 finalists this year in 95 categories, it has now honored the greatness of 2,893 authors and publishers over the past two decades. The size of the Awards is proof that books by and about Latinos are in high demand. In 2019 Latinos will purchase over $725 million in books in English and Spanish. 

    The 2019 Finalists for the 21st Annual Int’l Latino Book Awards are another reflection of the growing quality of books by and about Latinos. About a third of the winners were from major U.S. and int’l publishers, a third from medium sized publishing houses, and a third were from small publishing houses or even self published. In order to handle this large number of books, the Awards had 227 judges in 2019. The judges shared how hard it was because their are now so many great books being published. Judges included librarians, educators, media professionals, leaders of national organizations, Pulitzer Prize Winners, and even elected officials. The Awards celebrates books in English, Spanish and Portuguese. Finalists are from across the USA and Puerto Rico, as well as from 18 countries outside the USA. 

    The Awards are produced by Latino Literacy Now, a nonprofit organization co-founded in 1997 by Edward James Olmos and Kirk Whisler. Other Latino Literacy Now programs include the upcoming Latino Book & Family Festival at MiraCosta College in Oceanside will be our 67th. The Int’l Society of Latino Authors now has 140+ members. Education Begins in the Home has impacted literacy for 100,000+ people. More than 70 episodes of the Latino Reads Podcast have now aired. The Award Winning Author Tour has 10+ events around the USA in the coming year. Latino Literacy Now’s programs have now touched well over a million people. Over 350 volunteers will donate 14,000+ hours of service this year. 

    The Awards Cermony will be held September 21, 2019 in Los Angeles at the Los Angeles City College. Past sponsors have included AALES, the American Library Association, Atria Publishing, Book Expo America,  the California State University System, California State University Dominguez Hills, California State University San Bernardino, Entravision, Las Comadres de las Americas, Libros Publishing, the Los Angeles Community College District, MAOF, MiraCosta College, the Piping Industry Progress & Education Trust Fund, REFORMA, Scholastic Books, and Visa. 



    Click here for a list of the finalists