| 2024 | LatinoLand: A Portrait of America’s Largest and Least Understood Minority | Booklist Editors' Choice source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Adult Books: Social Sciences | |
| 2024 | LatinoLand | The New Yorker Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Essential Reads | |
| 2024 | Latinoland: A Portrait of America's Largest and Least Understood Minority | Chicago Public Library Best of the Best source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Must-Read Books: Nonfiction | |
| 2024 | Latinoland | Kirkus Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Nonfiction | |
| 2024 | LatinoLand: A Portrait of America’s Largest and Least Understood Minority | Washington Post Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Notable Nonfiction | |
| 2020 | Silver, Sword & Stone: Three Crucibles of the Latin American Story | Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Longlist · Nonfiction | |
| 2019 | Silver, Sword & Stone: Three Crucibles in the Latin American Story | Booklist Editors' Choice source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Adult Books: History & Travel | |
| 2019 | Silver, Sword, and Stone: Three Crucibles in the Latin American Story | Washington Post Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Notable Nonfiction | |
| 2014 | Bolivar: American Liberator | Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Longlist · Nonfiction | |
| 2013 | Bolivar: American Liberator | Los Angeles Times Book Prizes source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Winner · Biography | |
| 2013 | Bolívar: American Liberator | Booklist Editors' Choice source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Adult Books: Biography | |
| 2013 | Bolivar: American Liberator | NPR Books We Love source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Books We Love | |
| 2013 | Bolívar: American Liberator | Washington Post Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Notable Nonfiction | |
| 2009 | Lima Nights | Washington Post Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Notable Fiction | |
| 2008 | Cellophane | Dublin Literary Award source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Longlist · Fiction | |
| 2006 | Cellophane | The Center for Fiction First Novel Prize source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Shortlist · First Novel | |
| 2006 | Cellophane | The Irish Times Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Books of the Year | |
| 2006 | Cellophane | Washington Post Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Notable Fiction | |