HOUSTON, TX—The Consortium of Latin American Studies Programs (CLASP) has named the sixth book in Xavier Garza’s acclaimed Monster Fighter Mystery / Serie Exterminador de monstruos series, Vincent Ventura and the Curse of the Donkey Lady / Vincent Ventura y la maldición de la Mujer Burro, a 2025 Américas Award Commended Title.
CLASP founded the Américas Award in 1993 to encourage and applaud authors, illustrators and publishers who produce quality children’s and young adult books that portray Latin America, the Caribbean or Latinx cultures in the United States. Up to two annual book awards are offered along with a list of commended titles.
More than 200 books were submitted, and Vincent Ventura and the Mystery of the Donkey Lady / Vincent Ventura y la maldición de la Mujer Burro was noted as “remarkable.” The committee said the book “exemplifies distinctive literary quality, sensitive cultural contextualization, exceptional integration of text and illustration and potential for classroom use.”
Garza’s series incorporating creepy creatures from Latin American lore—including La Llorona, chupacabras and duendes—has been widely praised. School Library Journal said, “Garza successfully continues his thrilling series with his signature humor, kid-centric themes and quick pace” in its review of the fifth installment, Vincent Ventura and the Curse of the Dancing Devil / Vincent Ventura y la maldición del diablo bailarín. Kirkus Reviews said, “Nuanced folklore shines in this thrilling beginning chapter book” in its review of Vincent Ventura and the Curse of the Weeping Woman / Vincent Ventura y la maldición de La Llorona. Booklist, a publication of the American Library Association, said, “Garza delves into Spanish folklore and adds action, horror and mystery to create a wonderfully exciting book” about the first book in the series, Vincent Ventura and the Mystery of the Chupacabras / Vincent Ventura y el misterio del chupacabras.
XAVIER GARZA is an artist and storyteller whose work focuses primarily on his experiences growing up in the small border town of Rio Grande City. He is the author of numerous books for young people, including The Donkey Lady Fights La Llorona and Other Stories / La señora Asno se enfrenta a La Llorona y otros cuentos (Piñata Books, 2015), Lucha Libre: The Man in the Silver Mask: A Bilinguel Cuento (Cinco Puntos Press, 2005), and six volumes in the Monster Fighter Mystery series / Serie Exterminador de monstruos. He has received such prestigious awards as the Américas Honor Book Award, the Tejas Star Book Award and the Pura Belpré Honor Book award. In 2014 he won both the NAACS Tejas Young Adult Book Award and the Texas Institute of Letters Children’s Book Award. He was inducted into the prestigious Texas Institute of Letters in 2019. He lives with his family in San Antonio, Texas.
ARTE PÚBLICO PRESS is the nation’s largest and most established publisher of contemporary and recovered literature by US Hispanic authors. Its imprint for children and young adults, Piñata Books, is dedicated to the authentic portrayal of the themes, languages, characters and customs of Latino culture in the United States. Books published under the imprint serve as a bridge connecting home and school to support family literacy and elementary education. Based at the University of Houston, Arte Público Press, Piñata Books and the Recovering the US Hispanic Literary Heritage project provide the most widely recognized and extensive showcase for Latino literary arts and creativity. For more information, please visit www.artepublicopress.com.
