Faculty Spotlight: Manuela Aronofsky and the 2025 Pura Belpré Award

Middle School Technology Integrator and 7th Grade Advisor Manuela Aronofsky recently had the honor of serving on the 2025 Pura Belpré Award Selection Committee, a prestigious national book award committee that recognizes outstanding children’s books celebrating Latino/a culture.

The Pura Belpré Award, established in 1996, is given annually to Latino/a authors and illustrators whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino/a experience. Committee members are selected from three major library associations: The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), and REFORMA, the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking.

Last month, Manuela traveled to Phoenix to attend the ALA Youth Media Awards, where she and her fellow committee members announced this year’s winners alongside other major children’s book awards, including the Newbery and Caldecott Medals.

Congratulations, Manuela, on this incredible achievement and for your dedication to championing diverse literature!