Congrat
ulations to Austin SCBWI member Adrianna Cuevas, whose debut novel The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez just won a Pura Belpré Honor! The award recognizes outstanding children’s and young adult literature that “portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience,” according to the American Library Association. Adrianna’s magical middle-grade novel has also garnered other accolades, including being named a Best Book of 2020 by the New York Public Library.
In The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez, army kid Nestor moves to a new town beset by mysterious events: animals are disappearing from the woods, and his Abuela is the prime suspect. But Nestor soon discovers the creatures are being stolen by a tule vieja—a witch from Central American folklore—and he will have to draw on his secret ability to talk to animals in order to save his town.
Reflecting on winning the Pura Belpré Honor, Adrianna has this to say: “I’m equally surprised and gratified that adventurous books with sarcastic, pooping ravens can win awards. And I’m especially thankful for Austin SCBWI, without whom I’d never have met my agent and started this amazing journey!”