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:
Madness
The Man Who Changed Basketball
Mike DeLucia
2020 Honorable Mention
Audio Book
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Fiction - Audiobook
Madness: The Man Who Changed Basketball by Mike DeLucia is a story that will have many people who listen to it as stunned as I was; it is the story of basketball legend and innovator, Hank Luisetti. This audiobook narrates the story of a man who brought about the revolution in basketball in the 1930s. Before then, the one-handed shot was non-existent in basketball until this legend made it popular. He is said to have been an incredible player with an incredible jump. This nonfiction book explores the life of this exceptional sportsman and the reason why he never became a celebrated name on the lips of sports fans. Paid $10,000 in 1938 to star in a movie about himself, he was suspended from joining the leagues at this time. But the real impediment that kept him in the shadows came when he joined his country to fight in WWII, where he contracted Spiral Meningitis and nearly died. When the NBA was formed, he refused to play professionally.
This book introduces readers to one of the basketball legends they will love. Readers will learn about his style of play, and the influence and changes that happened to the game because of his influence. I have known of many basketball legends, including Michael Jordan, Jerry West, Magic Johnson, LeBron James, Larry Bird, and others, but not Hank Luisetti. This is a well-researched book and I enjoyed how the author allows the culture and the political atmosphere of the time to come out in the narrative. Madness: The Man Who Changed Basketball offers great material for the big screen. This is a story for every fan of basketball and a great tribute to a great sportsman.
The audio is clear and professionally recorded. Readers will enjoy hearing about the life of the protagonist. The excellent narration by the author begins with the research, his dreams, and how he tackled the idea of writing about this pioneer player and the role he played in basketball history and evolution. It is an engaging story and filled with entertainment and information that readers will enjoy.
Recommend this book:
The Luna Missile Crisis
Rhett C Bruno & Jaime Castle
2020 Bronze Medal
Audio Book
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Fiction - Audiobook
The earth's first space launch goes awry, wreaking devastation upon the planet in the exhilarating alternate history novel, The Luna Missile Crisis, written by Rhett C. Bruno and Jaime Castle and narrated by Ray Porter. It's 1961. The Soviets are the first to send a man into space. Tragically, as their rocket exits the atmosphere, it crashes into an alien ship and explodes. Mistakenly believing the United States is responsible, the Soviet government dispatches its nuclear arsenal. The missiles malfunction and decimate a considerable portion of Eastern Europe, creating the Dead Curtain. Stationed within the Dead Curtain a month after the "misunderstanding," combat medic Sergeant Kyle McCoy makes contact with an extraterrestrial visitor, a Vulbathi. Three years later, he is working for the newly instated Department of Alien Relations. Kyle's identical twin Connor is a grifter selling counterfeit Vulbathi weapons. When a deal goes awry, Conner finds himself on a powerful mobster's hit list. Dodging the homicidal gangster, Connor steals Kyle's DAR identity. Posing as his twin, Connor is inadvertently sent to the moon, now known as Luna, to attend the World Summit...
The Luna Missle Crisis does not disappoint. The story is expertly narrated and performed by Ray Porter. I especially enjoyed his Christopher Walken impression of the mobster. I appreciated his acting style in general and was exceptionally impressed with his ability to delineate the characters. With accents and subtle vocal changes, his personification of the characters made them remarkably real. The Luna Missile Crisis by Rhett C. Bruno and Jaime Castle is a stellar science fiction tale. Set in an alternate parallel world, the plot is intense and complex. Plentiful in action and danger, the story moves along at a breathtaking pace, culminating in a dramatic ending. Caught up in their conflicts, I found Connor's and the alien's personas disarming. The story comes to an exciting, albeit an abrupt close, leaving me anxiously waiting for a sequel. This extraordinary novel will appeal to those who enjoy science fiction with extraterrestrial elements.
Recommend this book:
Alexander X
Edward Savio
2020 Bronze Medal
Audio Book
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Fiction - Audiobook
Alexander X, written by Edward Savio and narrated by Wil Wheaton, is a story that explores the possibility of genetic mutation. And by this, I don’t mean something that causes a disease or somehow weakens the human body. It is a gene that slows aging to a level where, instead of you becoming older a day at a time like everyone else, you don’t. In fact, it takes 100 Earth days to age only 1 day in your human body. No superpowers. No exceptional abilities, except for what is learned through life. Does that grab your attention? It should, and this story certainly grabbed mine. It’s a story about Alexander and two of his friends, who set out on a whirlwind adventure of just trying not to be caught. It’s not by the government or any other recognized authority. Instead, we learn there are others out there besides Alexander, and not all of them are good.
And of course, Wil Wheaton certainly makes the story come alive. His acting experience shines in Alexander X, making him the perfect narrator. His voice is clear, he’s funny, his emotion pours into his performance—from the very first word to the last sentence. You are left hanging, wanting to hear more. Alexander X by Edward Savio is about friendship, honor, family, and life in the here and now. But it also takes you into the past where you can experience a life lived through someone else’s eyes, and who is still around to talk about it. And yeah, he’s still only 15. Highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
The Proto Project
A Sci-Fi Adventure of the Mind
Bryan R. Johnson
2020 Silver Medal
Audio Book
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Fiction - Audiobook
The Proto Project: A Sci-Fi Adventure of the Mind by Bryan R. Johnson is a fun action-adventure story. Jason’s mom works for a high-tech company, and one day his school takes a tour. From then on, it’s one action-packed scene after another. It’s a clean story, too, entirely appropriate for this age group—say from grade 4 on up. I reviewed the audiobook version over several days while riding my bike, and it was a great experience. The narrator, Michael Mola, is clever, quick, and excels in his voices, adding a lot of humor to the story. He brings the listener along in an entertaining way, keeping them engaged from the first chapter to the last.
The story itself runs along the common theme of the good guys get ripped off by the bad guys, who plan to conquer the world. It also throws in a bit of budding romance between two twelve-year-olds, and all the awkwardness and humor to go along with it. I appreciated the story having two parents, while the kids can still save the world. There is a hint of a sequel, so there may be more exploits in the future. This is certainly a great read (or listen) for the summer months while the kids are out of school. The Proto Project: A Sci-Fi Adventure of the Mind by Bryan R. Johnson brings a fun experience to young readers, who will certainly enjoy this story. Even adults can sit back, relax, and take in this humorous tale. Highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
Code 7
Cracking the Code for an Epic Life
Bryan R. Johnson
2020 Gold Medal
Audio Book
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Fiction - Audiobook
Code 7: Cracking the Code for an Epic Life by Bryan R. Johnson is a book for young readers with powerful lessons. It features stories of seven students at Flint Elementary School and explores very relevant themes, including creativity, teamwork, friendship, bullying, adventure, and the importance of contributing to their society, of being valued, and the sense of belonging. We encounter a wide cast of characters that are elaborately developed: Jefferson, Sebastian, Genevieve, Talmage, Samantha, Alec, and Kaitlyn. The book starts with the story of Jefferson Johnson, a natural painter, who creates a beautiful mural to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the school, with a grand opening in the presence of the townsfolk, including the mayor. Each chapter has a story of each of the characters and the last chapter brings all of them together.
This is a book with great lessons for young readers and most grownups will feel strong resonances as they move from one story to the next and from one character to the next. The plot in each story is ingeniously done and each story has its climax and a satisfactory conclusion. Character handling is impeccable and the writing is tight and suitable for young readers. From the thematic development to the realism infused into the stories, Code 7: Cracking the Code for an Epic Life is a work that is exciting and that engages the reader right away.
The narrator did an awesome job and the audio doesn’t fail to capture the excitement of the story, the strong drama, and the humor that sets it apart. The male voice is strong and compelling, adjusting to the characters and the different situations. Bryan R. Johnson is one of my favorite children's authors and I loved how real the stories are as well as their educational benefit.
Recommend this book:
The Cull - Bloodline
Eric J. Gates Narrated by Marnye Young
2019 Bronze Medal
Audio Book
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Fiction - Audiobook
The Cull – Bloodline is a work of vampire fantasy thriller fiction penned by author Eric J. Gates and presented in audiobook format by narrator Marnye Young. Set as a genre mix between the standard FBI thriller and a paranormal fantasy novel full of vampire conspiracies, we follow two powerful female heroines into the darkness as they discover things they never thought possible. The infamous serial killer the Blood Sucker must be caught, but the means to trap this mysterious figure involve way more sacrifice than Amy and her partner could ever imagine.
Author Eric J. Gates has reinvented all things vampiric for the modern time, turning his beasts into elite killers without any of the old-fashioned shtick that often made them so laughable. What results is a passionate and powerful tale that is genuinely frightening in many parts, and an intriguing criminal plotline which keeps you turning pages right to the end. The narration presents as a crisp crime thriller with a dark, wry edge, giving those little chilling moments where it’s clear that something very bad will happen soon.
In terms of audiobook quality, the narration by Marnye Young provides much to enjoy. Editing quality and clean, crisp audio aid Young in her wry presentation, offering a slick performance that feels confidently delivered. The style adds flair to the characters themselves, lifting the novel to another level of smooth enjoyment, but with an excellent balance when the truly thrilling moments kick in. Overall, The Cull – Bloodline is a powerhouse of crime and fantasy fiction and a superb start to an engaging new series.
Recommend this book:
The Whip - AudioBook – Unabridged
A novel inspired by the story of Charley Parkhurst
Karen Kondazian
2019 Gold Medal
Audio Book
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Fiction - Audiobook
It is amazing how visually stimulating the audio presentation of a book can be, especially a book as evocative and superbly written as The Whip by Karen Kondazian when professionally narrated by the skillful and impressive Robin Weigert. Of course, the story carries most of the weight, and this story is based on a true historical figure of immense interest. Charley Parkhurst was a strong, enduring Western woman of the 1800s, who took on the look and persona of a man in order to survive and utilize her impressive horse-handling skills as a stagecoach driver. The narrative fulfills beyond measure the storyteller’s challenging task of handling and maintaining an avid reader’s interest. And rest assured, both Kondazian and Weigert succeed terrifically in presenting Charley Parkhurst’s compelling tale.
At its heart, The Whip by Karen Kondazian is a deeply engaging, fully authentic rendering of the Old West as experienced first by one young, naive orphaned girl, Charlotte Parkhurst, then by herself as a young maturing woman, and finally as a battle-scarred widow and surviving mother in a truly hard-scrabble life, one eventually lived by necessity and temperament as an independent, solitary man in a world dictated by such men’s rather boorish ways and wants. She masters the man’s world well, but at an extraordinary cost. It is Charley Parkhurst’s payment of this cost that makes for such compelling reading, and for listening in this special audiobook edition. Both Kondazian and Weigert excel magnificently at bringing into vivid presence the historical reality of a truly amazing woman. Bravo to them all!
As to the quality of the audiobook itself, one can only admire the immense amount of effort put into making this one so masterful. Technically, the production is flawless. The audio is clear, well-defined, and precise. The narration is skilled beyond any rightful expectation. Robin Weigert obviously studied the book and its characters in depth before putting voices to them. The result is more like listening to a movie than simply having a book read out loud. This allows the listener to deeply inhabit a powerful story while also experiencing a fine piece of literature.
Recommend this book:
Tall Chimneys
One Woman, One House, One Hundred Years
Allie Cresswell
2019 Silver Medal
Audio Book
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Fiction - Audiobook
Tall Chimneys: One Woman, One House, One Hundred Years is a work of twentieth-century historical drama and romance, penned by author Alice Cresswell and narrated in audiobook format by Danielle Cohen. The plot centers around Evelyn Talbot, who is extracted from her family and sent to the titular stately home as penance for being troublesome. But Evelyn connects with the old gothic home, fearing its slow abandonment and demise if she does not stay to maintain it. So when the chance of a romance comes her way, Evelyn must decide between the solace in the world which Tall Chimneys provides, and the happiness that may await her elsewhere.
Author Alice Cresswell breathes life into the dark corners and gloomy fixtures of a traditional English stately home, offering a gorgeous, distanced snapshot of British history amid a kind of ethereal, removed splendor at the house itself. The emotional arc of the central character and those whom she meets along the way is powerful and well delivered, running smoothly alongside the action of the plot. A deep connection between reader and audience is achieved in the narration and the close access which we have to Evelyn’s personal feelings and reactions.
In terms of audiobook quality, narrator Danielle Cohen has an authentic Northern accent that adds atmosphere and credence to the setting of the Yorkshire moors. There’s a timeless quality to her voice which informs the action well and brings it to life, and the audio quality and editing are suitably faultless. Overall, Tall Chimneys: One Woman, One House, One Hundred Years is a fascinating and highly engaging work that will please historical drama fans everywhere.
Recommend this book:
Trials & Tribulations of Modesty Greene
A Fictional Novel About Harriet Tubman's Historical Legacy
DW Plato
2019 Bronze Medal
Audio Book
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Fiction - Audiobook
Trials & Tribulations of Modesty Greene: A Fictional Novel About Harriet Tubman’s Historical Legacy by D W Plato has settings that sweep from a very third-world country to North America, and the huge cast of characters is equally detailed and vivid. The reader experiences eighteenth-century Africa and how “Little Mo” is captured by slave traders and taken to work for the cruel Maryland plantation owner, Robert Banks, chosen at the request of his spoiled lesbian daughter, Ethel. Modesty Greene is “the Massa’s” property – his to force to work by any means, and her body his to rape. How Modesty survives to grow up, marry, and give birth to a dynasty that includes Araminta Ross – Harriet – is an intriguing story.
Trials & Tribulations of Modesty Greene opens with Mo’destee Vert, a young Senegambia teenager, in love and happy. Life as she knows it ends when her beloved father fails to prevent villagers being taken as slaves and shipped to America. At first, Modesty Greene, as she is now known, appears to be lucky, befriended by Ethel, Robert Banks’ daughter, but she is hated by her fellow slaves who assume she gets special treatment. A Muslim, she is at prayer when her master first rapes her. In Trials & Tribulations of Modesty Greene, D W Plato has written a worthy tribute to the real Harriet Tubman and I recommend it to everyone interested in history, freedom, women’s rights, or all three.
Trials & Tribulations of Modesty Greene lends itself particularly well to audio, perhaps because the author employed three narrators. Tishelle Peterson, Nene Nwoko, and Machelle Williams did an incredible job bringing Modesty Greene’s story to life. They each sounded so “right” in their part, and none of them had a problem when the character in question happened to be male or a descriptive section. It held my attention one hundred percent.
Recommend this book:
The Tribulations of August Barton
Audio book
Jennifer LeBlanc
2019 Honorable Mention
Audio Book
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Fiction - Audiobook
The Tribulations of August Barton is a work of mature humorous fiction penned by author Jennifer LeBlanc, and this audiobook edition was narrated by James Oliva. The plot centers around Augie, our title character, who faces a coming of age as he prepares for life at college. Threads of his life are unravelling around him as the year begins, tipping the already anxious Augie over the edge. Just when things seem impossible enough, his retired grandmother Gertie decides to make a break for it and escapes her nursing home. As a retired prostitute, Gertie’s attitude couldn’t be further from Augie’s if she tried, but their unlikely pairing provides plenty of laughter and heart as the tale spins on.
Author Jennifer LeBlanc presents a riotous novella as Augie learns how to be a man from a woman who’s been there and done it all, and now wants to do it all again. The character development gives The Tribulations of August Barton its special quality, because they are both over the top but also highly relatable and representative of so many issues that people are actually dealing with at that vulnerable going-into-college time of their lives.
In terms of audiobook quality, the editing and clarity were superb to bring this short novella-length tale to life with plenty of pace and pathos. I particularly liked James Oliva’s many voices, male and female, which he twisted and developed just slightly over the top in order to make the characters really pop from a comedic point of view. This is a highly recommended tale only enhanced further by its audiobook edition.