150 Award Genres
Children
- Children - Action
- Children - Adventure
- Children - Animals
- Children - Audiobook
- Children - Christian
- Children - Coming of Age
- Children - Concept
- Children - Educational
- Children - Fable
- Children - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
- Children - General
- Children - Grade 4th-6th
- Children - Grade K-3rd
- Children - Mystery
- Children - Mythology/Fairy Tale
- Children - Non-Fiction
- Children - Picture Book
- Children - Preschool
- Children - Preteen
- Children - Religious Theme
- Children - Social Issues
Christian
- Christian - Amish
- Christian - Biblical Counseling
- Christian - Devotion/Study
- Christian - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
- Christian - Fiction
- Christian - General
- Christian - Historical Fiction
- Christian - Living
- Christian - Non-Fiction
- Christian - Romance - Contemporary
- Christian - Romance - General
- Christian - Romance - Historical
- Christian - Thriller
Fiction
- Fiction - Action
- Fiction - Adventure
- Fiction - Animals
- Fiction - Anthology
- Fiction - Audiobook
- Fiction - Chick Lit
- Fiction - Crime
- Fiction - Cultural
- Fiction - Drama
- Fiction - Dystopia
- Fiction - Fantasy - Epic
- Fiction - Fantasy - General
- Fiction - Fantasy - Urban
- Fiction - General
- Fiction - Graphic Novel/Comic
- Fiction - Historical - Event/Era
- Fiction - Historical - Personage
- Fiction - Holiday
- Fiction - Horror
- Fiction - Humor/Comedy
- Fiction - Inspirational
- Fiction - Intrigue
- Fiction - LGBTQ
- Fiction - Literary
- Fiction - Magic/Wizardry
- Fiction - Military
- Fiction - Mystery - General
- Fiction - Mystery - Historical
- Fiction - Mystery - Legal
- Fiction - Mystery - Murder
- Fiction - Mystery - Sleuth
- Fiction - Mythology
- Fiction - New Adult
- Fiction - Paranormal
- Fiction - Realistic
- Fiction - Religious Theme
- Fiction - Science Fiction
- Fiction - Short Story/Novela
- Fiction - Social Issues
- Fiction - Southern
- Fiction - Sports
- Fiction - Supernatural
- Fiction - Suspense
- Fiction - Tall Tale
- Fiction - Thriller - Conspiracy
- Fiction - Thriller - Environmental
- Fiction - Thriller - Espionage
- Fiction - Thriller - General
- Fiction - Thriller - Legal
- Fiction - Thriller - Medical
- Fiction - Thriller - Political
- Fiction - Thriller - Psychological
- Fiction - Thriller - Terrorist
- Fiction - Time Travel
- Fiction - Urban
- Fiction - Visionary
- Fiction - Western
- Fiction - Womens
Non-Fiction
- Non-Fiction - Adventure
- Non-Fiction - Animals
- Non-Fiction - Anthology
- Non-Fiction - Art/Photography
- Non-Fiction - Audiobook
- Non-Fiction - Autobiography
- Non-Fiction - Biography
- Non-Fiction - Business/Finance
- Non-Fiction - Cooking/Food
- Non-Fiction - Cultural
- Non-Fiction - Drama
- Non-Fiction - Education
- Non-Fiction - Environment
- Non-Fiction - Genealogy
- Non-Fiction - General
- Non-Fiction - Gov/Politics
- Non-Fiction - Grief/Hardship
- Non-Fiction - Health - Fitness
- Non-Fiction - Health - Medical
- Non-Fiction - Historical
- Non-Fiction - Hobby
- Non-Fiction - Home/Crafts
- Non-Fiction - Humor/Comedy
- Non-Fiction - Inspirational
- Non-Fiction - LGBTQ
- Non-Fiction - Marketing
- Non-Fiction - Memoir
- Non-Fiction - Military
- Non-Fiction - Motivational
- Non-Fiction - Music/Entertainment
- Non-Fiction - New Age
- Non-Fiction - Occupational
- Non-Fiction - Parenting
- Non-Fiction - Relationships
- Non-Fiction - Religion/Philosophy
- Non-Fiction - Retirement
- Non-Fiction - Self Help
- Non-Fiction - Short Story/Novela
- Non-Fiction - Social Issues
- Non-Fiction - Spiritual/Supernatural
- Non-Fiction - Sports
- Non-Fiction - Travel
- Non-Fiction - True Crime
- Non-Fiction - Womens
- Non-Fiction - Writing/Publishing
Poetry
Romance
Young Adult
- Young Adult - Action
- Young Adult - Adventure
- Young Adult - Coming of Age
- Young Adult - Fantasy - Epic
- Young Adult - Fantasy - General
- Young Adult - Fantasy - Urban
- Young Adult - General
- Young Adult - Horror
- Young Adult - Mystery
- Young Adult - Mythology/Fairy Tale
- Young Adult - Non-Fiction
- Young Adult - Paranormal
- Young Adult - Religious Theme
- Young Adult - Romance
- Young Adult - Sci-Fi
- Young Adult - Social Issues
- Young Adult - Thriller
Illustration Award
Recommend this book:
Do Bad Dogs Get Cancer?
Patricia Ann Brill
2016 Silver Medal
34 Pages
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Children - Animals
Turbo and Boxster are the very best of friends and they play regularly together. When Boxster goes over to Turbo’s house to invite his buddy out to play, he’s taken aback when Turbo declines, having no energy. Boxster urges him to go to the doctor and Turbo reluctantly agrees. After running some tests and examining Turbo, the doctor tells him that he has some moles on his legs and stomach that are cancerous and that he’ll require surgery to remove them. Understandably, Turbo is upset over the news and asks Boxster if he got cancer because he was a bad dog. Boxster tells him that bad dogs get time outs, not cancer. Boxster appears to be a very well informed dog when it comes to cancer, thanks to discussions with his next door neighbor dog, Carrera, who had also battled cancer. Boxster informs Turbo that cancer is not contagious and they talk about different treatments – chemo and radiation – as well as remission. Boxster reassures Turbo that he’ll be there to support Turbo throughout his battle.
Do Bad Dogs Get Cancer? by Patricia A. Brill, with illustrations by Curt Walstead, is a charming picture book for children where the two protagonists are dogs. Using well-crafted and colorful illustrations, the book deals with a very difficult subject matter: cancer. Brill has chosen her words carefully; they get the message across, yet in such a way that a young child will understand without feeling threatened. Most children relate to animals, especially dogs, and choosing dogs to be her protagonists was perfect. Pets are considered to be a part of the family and children should be able to relate to illness in pets.
Walstead’s illustrations are large, colorful, contain just the right amount of detail to keep young children engaged, and serve to complement the author’s text perfectly. What is especially poignant about the story is when Turbo asks whether he got cancer because he was a bad dog and Boxster replies that bad dogs get time outs, not cancer. That is about as perfect a response as one could make. Serious subject matter well-handled with simplistic yet colorful illustrations make Do Bad Dogs Get Cancer? the perfect go-to book for teaching a very important life lesson.
Recommend this book:
The Fox Forest Band
Lisa E Lindman
2016 Silver Medal
30 Pages
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Children - Animals
The Fox Forest Band by Lisa E Lindman is a cute story about friends working together to stop an evil wizard from ruining their home. When fog starts to descend on the forest, the animals have to come up with a plan to stop it. By working together, can they come up with a solution?
I like that Lindman wrote The Fox Forest Band in order to help put a stop to bullying. It is an important lesson for children to learn. I also like to think that this book has more than just one meaning. When I first read it, I considered the fog that was taking over to be sadness and the music is what kept it away. My 4-year-old child really liked all the different animals in the story. Her favorite character was the mouse. She was even able to read most of the book by herself. The book itself is bright and colorful. The illustrations by Chandra Wheeler look as if they are painted in watercolors. I especially liked the cute spider that was included in every picture. This is a book that every child should read.
I wish that there were more books like The Fox Forest Band to teach children how to stand up to bullying. This book also teaches that there is power in numbers and you do not actually have to fight in order to get things to change. To teach children this through a colorful book is a great idea. I recommend teachers having Lindman’s book in their classrooms,
Recommend this book:
Selah's Sweet Dream
Susan Count
2016 Gold Medal
198 Pages
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Children - Animals
Selah's Sweet Dream by Susan Count is an exciting story for all animal lovers. Selah always dreams of life with a horse and she wants to become an equestrian superstar. Her grandfather does not want her to have anything to do with horses. She also happens to see a video of her grandmother on a horse and their chemistry reminds her of ballroom dancers. One day she sees buzzards stalking a trapped horse and Selah realizes that she has to save the horse. The horse is wild and defiant, but Selah knows deep in her heart that the horse is meant for her. She takes the horse home but her hopes are dashed when the horse goes berserk at the trainer's place. Will Selah be able to fulfill her dreams?
The book conveys a good message about having faith in oneself and God. It is also very motivational as it shows a girl's determination and perseverance to achieve what she wants in life. Selah never gives up in the story and she pursues her dreams relentlessly. The characters in the story are tangible and readers can connect with them and their lives. Selah is adorable and relatable. The author's style of writing is neat and elegant and there is never a dull moment in the plot. The story has its small twists and turns as it progresses and keeps readers entertained. Selah's determination, perseverance and persistence, and her training sessions are all inspirational.
Recommend this book:
The Gift of Sunderland
An Australian Fantasy Adventure
J.E. Rogers
2015 Finalist
248 Pages
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Children - Animals
The Gift of Sunderland: An Australian Fantasy Adventure is an epic fantasy for children and preteens written by J.E. Rogers. This book is a sequel to The Sword of Demelza, but it can be read as a stand-alone novel. Waylond Ayers is a Numbat who lives in the forests of Sunderland with his father, Roland, and his brother, Morland. Waylond has been chosen by Verdigris, the former Guardian of the Forest, to be the next Guardian, but he's not sure whether he is capable enough to assume the role his father had held before him; he's content with being a blacksmith. His brother Morland is furious at being passed over for the honor and is determined to claim the role of Guardian for himself. To do that, he must find the green crystal that fits within the hilt of the Guardian's sword.
J.E. Rogers' epic fantasy for preteens and children, The Gift of Sunderland: An Australian Fantasy Adventure, is exciting and fast-paced. Waylond is a marvelous character, and I could easily see why the Forest chose him to be the next Guardian. The illustrations that are placed throughout the text are intricate and beautifully rendered pencil drawings that give the characters personality and bring them to life. Rogers also includes a glossary filled with pictures and drawings of Australian locations for this story, as well as information on the bilbies, wombats, dibblers, and the other species that appear in this book. I was fascinated by the diversity of the wildlife of this country, and saddened by the statistics of the many endangered animals. The Gift of Sunderland: An Australian Fantasy Adventure is epic fantasy at its finest, and it's most highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
Clive the Clever Crow
Sandra Novello
2015 Finalist
24 Pages
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Children - Animals
Clive the Clever Crow by Sandra Novello is a charming and adorable story for kids. Clive the crow lives near a school. Clive likes all the food that is left out for him to eat. He finds it delicious and yummy. He flies around to see if there are any open lunch boxes around when the school session is going on. And he is really happy that he does not have to dig for worms or search for ants anymore. Clive knows that even if they see him on trees and branches, they will never be able to catch him. As you read along each page, the reader needs to search and find out where Clive the crow is hiding.
The story is really cute and I loved Clive the crow. He will have to go digging for his worms again once the kids finish reading this story because it will remind them to close their lunch boxes. It an ideal book to introduce to kids when they start to read. Grandparents and parents will enjoy reading it out to their grandkids and kids. The book is good for read aloud sessions too in classrooms and children's libraries. The illustrations are beautifully done and they complement the story well. They breathe life into the characters and give pace and movement to the scenes. The letter written by Clive the crow is very clever. The story is simple and clear, making it easy for young readers to comprehend.
Recommend this book:
Parents for Sale
Dr. Nicole Audet
2015 Bronze Medal
Kindle Edition
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Children - Animals
The Clark siblings are twins and they have a beautiful golden retriever named Pistachio as their family pet. Although they love to see their dog do tricks and respond to them when they bribe her with treats, they don't like the responsibilities that come with caring for a dog such as walking, feeding, and watering. When their parents have to walk their dog in the rain, they decide they have had enough and tell the twins they must sell their dog. Mr. and Mrs. Clark make a "Dog for Sale" sign, place it in the yard, and proceed on their daily errands to the grocery store. Not happy with this decision to sell their beloved pet, the twins replace the sign with "Parents for Sale". Can the twins sell their parents and keep their beloved pet dog Pistachio?
Parents for Sale by Dr. Nicole Audet is a charming and amusing children's story offering a unique type of life lesson learning, and enticing the imagination of its young reading audience. Dr. Nicole Audet has created a tale containing a lesson within, but with a twist in the plot only a youthful mind could fully understand and appreciate. The imagination of a child is a powerful and unique attribute. The mind of a child is often unpredictable and excited by the unseen or magical elements that make thinking, creating, and learning fun. The author adjusts her writing to depict what the mind of a child would imagine. For example, as an adult reads and starts to comprehend the story and its plot, the adult mind would assume the story and its message would end with that life lesson being played out in a learning experience, such as a punishment or something of the like, but in fact it does just the opposite. The story leans towards a happier ending in the way a child would imagine it. This is exactly why the story is brilliant and perfect for young readers; they can absolutely relate its concepts, emotions, and imaginative text.
Recommend this book:
Lars the Monkey Flies a WACO Airplane
Meaghan Fisher
2015 Silver Medal
26 Pages
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Children - Animals
Lars the Monkey Flies a WACO Airplane by Meaghan Fisher is a cute little story of Lars the monkey. Lars enjoyed his ride in the WACO airplane at WACO Field in Troy, Ohio. His dream is now to fly one of these WACO airplanes all by himself. He loved flying in loops. One Saturday,the pilot does not not turn up to give rides. All the passengers are disappointed that they cannot go on the airplane ride. Lars shouts that he can fly the airplane. But is he able to do it and bring joy to the faces of the waiting passengers?
An endearing story of courage and passion. Lars is someone whom all the readers will love and many of them will be able to identify with his passion for flying. The author has written a story incorporating animals, flying, and the historical WACO club. Children are exposed to many new things at the same time which makes the story more appealing to them. The illustrations are lively and colorful, just like the enthusiasm Lars shows in the story. It is a book that children will enjoy because it has animals and an airplane and the theme is flying.
The book is short and delightful and is a good book to introduce children to reading. It makes a good story for read-aloud sessions in the library and classrooms, and can be read out as a bedtime story, too. Lars, the monkey, will remain in your hearts for a long time with his delightful character.
Recommend this book:
Milo and Ze
A Tale of Friendship
Mark Watson
2015 Gold Medal
66 Pages
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Children - Animals
Milo and Ze: A Tale of Friendship by Mark Watson is the story of an adorable pet, Milo, who finally escapes from his kennel when it is broken into pieces. He looks into the crater and sees a fallen star. The star tells Milo that it has come to help him as it watched him while he was dreaming. The star tells Milo that he will meet a friend at his journey's end. And off they go on a journey across the bridge, through towns and onto the roads. Milo sees many new things on his journey and meets a lot of new people, until he finally meets up with a little boy, Ze. The book conveys a good message of enduring hardships in life to reach one's goal and emerge a winner.
I enjoyed the story for its beautiful concept. The illustrations are bright and colorful and they add life and color to the characters and scenes. The book will make a good bedtime story and it is also perfect to use for read aloud sessions in school libraries and classrooms. The concept and the message conveyed through the story are very helpful in teaching kids how to look at life and handle the challenges they face in life. The book teaches young readers new things and ideas, and helps improve their vocabulary. The story is emotional and touches the hearts of readers. Milo finally finding his home is an emotional as well as a joyful moment.
Recommend this book:
Stevie The Hopposaurus
Nathan Minier
2014 Finalist
60 Pages
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Children - Animals
Meet Stevie the Hopposaurus. Stevie was left on the doorstep of a house where Monostics lived. The sisters gladly accepted Stevie as their own, and treated Stevie with love and care. Stevie was happy. Stevie went to school and tried to make new friends. The other students, however, didn't want anything to do with Stevie; Stevie looked different from them, acted different from them, and was just unusual. The other students began to pick on Stevie and made him feel unwelcome. Stevie was not happy at school, until one day something fantastic happened.
Stevie the Hopposaurus by Nathan Minier is a delightful children's book introducing young readers to the concepts of love, friendship, bullying, and acceptance. Author Nathan Minier grasps the attention of young readers with brightly colored and fun illustrations, unique characters, and relatable messages within the story line. The main character is a very different kind of dinosaur from the rest of the characters. He is picked on for being different. Many young people and adults can relate to Stevie's experiences, feelings, and general situation as most go through a similar experience at one point or another in their own lives.
Nathan Minier has created a very special and most useful tool or resource for helping kids understand that it is okay to be different, but not okay to be a bully. Parents, teachers, and other adults can read this book to young children to help them understand, cope, or help with the anxieties bullying and being different present. Stevie the Hopposaurus is a wonderful book that I recommend for all to read and enjoy.
Recommend this book:
Benjamin Jay was a Bully
Emma M. Glover
2014 Honorable Mention
18 Pages
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Children - Animals
Benjamin Jay was a Bully is a children's book aimed at pre-school through first-grade kids, and is written by Emma Glover, a former elementary school teacher. It's illustrated by K.C. Snider, a wildlife artist and illustrator for children's books. Benjamin Jay is thwarted in his efforts to be the baddest of all birds when the frightened birds in Dove's Cove follow Miss Graydove's advice to use the Golden Rule in dealing with the unruly jay -- that is, they try to make friends with him. No one hides or runs away at his approach; instead, they dance and sing and merrily go about their business. This saddens and confuses the young bully as he sits by himself on a branch until the other birds welcome him in friendship.
I love Benjamin Jay was a Bully! Emma Glover's prose is fun and upbeat, and is never preachy or patronizing. The story flows beautifully. The illustrations by K.C. Snider are amazing, with an artist's attention to details and an illustrator's gift at imparting expression and action as the birds laugh, dance, sing, and cavort their way through the story. Best of all are the pictures of Benjamin Jay. It has been a rather long time since I was in the targeted age group for this book, but I enjoyed every single minute I spent reading it and lingered over the words and those incredible illustrations. Then there's the awesome message that simply and clearly speaks wisdom and coping skills for kids. Glover and Snider are a great team and Benjamin Jay was a Bully is a fabulous children's book.