One More New Mexican Award Winner

Denise Chávez recognized: Las Cruces writer and educator Denise Chávez will receive this year's Luis Leal Award for Distinction in Chicano/Latino Literature. Chávez is the author of a collection of short stories, The Last of the Menu Girls, and two novels, Loving Pedro Infante and Face of an Angel, which won the American Book Award in 1995. Her work focuses on border issues, Chicano culture and women in contemporary society.The award will be presented at the Santa Barbara Book & Author Festival on Sept. 24. Previous winners were Oscar Hijuelos and Rudolfo Anaya.