The Tomás Rivera BookAward honorees for works published in 2025 have been announced. Zeke Peña, author of “Sundust,” was recognized in the works for young readers category; Xelena González, author, and Emily Kewageshig, illustrator of “Of the Sun,” were recognized in the young readers category; and Hailey Alcaraz, author of “Rosa by Another Name,” was recognized in the older readers category.
The recipients will be honored during a celebration on the San Marcos Campus on Nov. 12, 2026, with additional appearances and events to be announced.
“Sundust”
In “Sundust,” Peña “takes readers on a run through a beautiful desert landscape with two siblings chasing a fallen piece of sundust,”according to the author’s website.
The book explores identity, family and belonging. Through vibrant artwork and heartfelt storytelling, the book offers young readers a powerful reflection of culture and community.
“Of the Sun”
“Of the Sun” is an“an uplifting and mighty poem that wraps the Indigenous children of the Americas in reassuring words filled with hope for a brighter future and reminders of their bond and importance to the land,” according to publisher Barefoot Books.
The story centers connection to heritage, to ancestors and to the natural world. Blending poetic language with evocative illustrations, González and Kewageshig invite readers to reflect on resilience, memory and hope.
“Rosa by Another Name”
In “Rosa by Another N ame,” Alcaraz introduces readers to a Mexican American girl during the civil rights era who “is driven to join a movement for justice after her white classmate and best friend from the barrio are tragically murdered,” according to the author’s website.
The book presents a compelling narrative for older readers that examines self-discovery, family history and the complexities of identity. Through nuanced storytelling, the novel highlights the strength found in embracing one’s roots while forging an individual path.
