Editor's book award

Somos en escrito Editor Tops U.S. Writers in 2019 Young Adult Book Competition

Armando Rendón, founder and editor of Somos en escrito Magazine, topped U.S. Latino writers for Best Young Adult fiction book in the 2019 International Latino Book Award competition. His latest novel for middle and high schoolers, The Wizard of the Blue Hole, is the fifth in The Adventures of Noldo series featuring the young hero, Noldo. 

Set in 1950s San Antonio, Texas, Noldo teams up with and old friend, a barrio healer or curandero, to face a rival healer turned wicked wizard. At stake is control of the aquifer that lies below the city and the lives of its people, but in a clash that takes place with underground rivers swirling about them, Noldo discovers he, too, has powers that come to bear in fighting the evil sorcerer.

The ILBA competition, in its 21st year, is conducted by Latino Literacy Now, an organization led by Edward James Olmos, chair, and Kirk Whisler, President. The awards were announced in Los Angeles on September 21, 2019.

The Wizard of the Blue Hole was published by Starry Night Publishing, starrynightpublishing.com. This novel and the award winning first four books in the series are available through local bookstores and online retailers.