Source: Allison Burris Castellanos
Máximo César Castellanos has earned three top honors at the largest Latino literary awards programs in the United States, bringing international recognition to Delaware’s young literary talent.
Máximo received a Gold Medal, a Silver Medal, anda Bronze Medal at the 2026 International Latino Book Awards (ILBA) ceremony, held October 3 at California State University in San Marcos, California.
Máximo’s book Dr. Pren and the Warrior from the Other World won a Gold Medal in the Best Chapter/Young Adult Book Translation, Spanish to English category. His book Kingsley First Act received a Silver Medal in the same translation category. His Spanish-language book Dr. Pren y el Guerrero del Otro Mundo earned a Bronze Medal in the Charlie Ericksen Best Book Written by a Youth category.
The International Latino Book Awards celebrate books in English, Spanish, and Portuguese across numerous categories, including children’s literature, young adult books, fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and translation. Now in its 28th year, the ILBA program has grown into the largest Latino literary awards program in the United States. The awards are produced by Empowering Latino Futures, a nonprofit organization co-founded by Edward James Olmos and Kirk Whisler.
Máximo has now written, illustrated, translated, and published 13 books in Spanish and 13 books in English. His work reflects his passion for storytelling and for making books accessible to readers in both languages.
Signed copies of his latest book, KINGSLEY: Second Act, are available at Browseabout Books in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. All of his books in English and Spanish are available on Amazon.
To learn more about Máximo and his books, please visit authormaximocastellanos.com.
