News & Stories[[bpstrwcotob]]

Read the latest news and stories from educators bringing Central America into their classrooms. Many of these stories were collected during Teach Central America Week. Share how you teach about Central America and receive a free book.

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Mykella Palmer 10/5/26 Mykella Palmer 10/5/26

2026 Américas Award Ceremony

Saturday, October 17: Educators, librarians, and book lovers, join this special event where author and artist Pablo Leon will receive the 2026 Américas Award for his YA novel Silenced Voices: Reclaiming Memories from the Guatemalan Genocide.

Deborah Menkart 9/24/26 Deborah Menkart 9/24/26

Contemporary Central American Voices

On September 23, 2026, we hosted our third annual conversation with contemporary Central American authors at Busboys and Poets in Washington, D.C., featuring Anna Lapera, John Manuel Arias, Ana Patricia Rodríguez, Diana Rojas, and Jared Lemus.

Deborah Menkart 9/20/26 Deborah Menkart 9/20/26

Silenced Voices Wins Americas Award

The 2026 Américas Award committee selected Silenced Voices: Reclaiming Memories from the Guatemalan Genocide by Pablo Leon for their top children’s and young adult book award.

Mykella Palmer 10/20/25 Mykella Palmer 10/20/25

Author Mario Bencastro Visits College Class

On October 16, 2025, esteemed Salvadoran author Mario Bencastro paid a virtual visit to my class "Latino Communities in Metropolitan Washington, DC," at the University of California's Washington, D.C. campus (UCDC) campus as part of Teach Central America Week.

Mykella Palmer 10/13/22 Mykella Palmer 10/13/22

Author Visit Kicks Off Teach Central America Week at Roosevelt High School

Roosevelt Senior High School (DCPS) kicked off Teach Central America Week 2022 with a visit from An Open Book Foundation and Shout Mouse Press.