Francisco's Journal an author discusses the art of writing

Behind the Eyes recently named one of 14 Commended Titles for 2006 for the Americas Award. The Americas Award is given in recognition of U.S. works of fiction, poetry, folklore, or selected non-fiction (fro picture books to works for young adults) published in the previous year in English or Spanish that authentically and engagingly portray Latin America, the Caribbean, or Latinos in the United States. By combining both and liniing the Americas, the award reaches beyond geographic borders, as well as multicultural-international boundaries, focusing instead upon cultural heritages within the hemisphere. The award is sponsored by the national Consortium of Latin American Studies Programs. The award winners and commended titles are selected for their 1)distinctive literary quality; 2)cultural contextualization; 3)exceptional integration of text, illustration and design; and 4) potential for classroom use. The winning books will be honored at a ceremony (tentatively October 6, 2007) at the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.)

For more information on the Americas Award please see www.uwm.edu/Dept/CLACS/outreach/americas.html 

Behind the Eyes was also selected for inclusion in the New York Public Library’s Books for the Teen Age 2007. This list, now in its 78th year of publication, selects the best of the previous year’s publishing for teenagers, 12 to 18 years old. All the titles chosen were read by young adult librarians and recommended for this special publication. See www.nypl.org  

And last but not least, Behind the Eyes was inducted into the Teens Read Too Hall of Fame! See: www.Teensreadtoo.com