Two medals shall be awarded at the annual conference of the American Library Association, one to a Latino author and one to a Latino illustrator, for creating outstanding original children's (age 0-14) books that portray, affirm, and celebrate the Latino cultural experience.
For purposed of this award, Latino is defined as people whose heritage emanates from any of the Spanish-speaking cultures of the Western Hemisphere.
The award-winning books must be published in the United States or Puerto Rico.
The committee is not to consider the entire body of work by an author or whether the author has previously won the award.
Recipients of the Pura Belpré Medal must be residents or citizens of the United States or Puerto Rico.
Fiction and nonfiction books for children published in Spanish, English, or bilingual format are eligible.
Honor books may be named.
If suitable candidates are not found, the awards will not be presented in that year.
One person may be selected to receive the awards in both categories.