Library Hosted 2003 Americas Awards for Children's and Young Adult Literature
Event Date: Friday, Sept. 24, 2004

---

The Hispanic Division and the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress hosted the 11th annual Américas Awards for Children’s and Young Adult Literature on Friday, Sept. 24, 2004. The Américas Award recognizes outstanding U.S. works of fiction, poetry, folklore or selected nonfiction (from picture books to works for young adults) published in the previous year "that authentically and engagingly portray Latin America, the Caribbean or Latinos in the United States." The event, co-sponsored by the Consortium of Latin American Studies Programs (CLASP) at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, presented the two award winners, author Judith Ortiz Cofer and illustrator Yuyi Morales.

Cofer, a poet, novelist and essayist and the recipient of several awards, particularly for her nonfiction, was honored for her book "The Meaning of Consuelo" (N.Y.: Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2003). Illustrator Morales, was honored for her book "Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book" (San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 2003). More information about the Américas Award and CLASP can be found on its Web site at

For more information about the Hispanic division and its resources, go to its Web site at

For information about the Center for the Book, consult its Web site at