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:
Citywalker
Orlando Ferrand
2011 Gold Medal
90 Pages
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Poetry - General
Orlando Ferrand's collection "Citywalker" is full of poems about his Cuban heritage, religion, the search for identity and the loneliness he encounters in New York City. The city is almost a character in this book, a backdrop for all the important encounters that stir up so much emotion for the poet. In this collection the reader watches the poet go through a spectrum of emotions while dealing with his family, his lovers, and himself. The theme of home and homeless occurs over and over, though early on in the collection, in the poem "Family Landscape," the poet decides that "Home does not remain the same." Throughout the book Ferrand uses religious imagery in unique ways, such as in the poem "Space" and "Do you believe in love?" The poem "Song for a romantic season in white" contains one of the most beautiful loneliness images I've encountered recently: "that colorless insect/killing us all."
In one of my favorite poems, "September 11," Ferrand writes the word "falling" down the page and writes each letter twice. This was a beautiful visual representation of the Twin Towers, and was also reminiscent of something e.e. cummings might do. The poem describes a very human reaction to the tragedy and the final stanza of the poem sums up how many New Yorkers felt that day: "Today, I am New York/ I walk downtown/ Gazing at Ground Zero/ Surrounding the incomplete horizon/ Of my own geography." I believe many people in and around New York felt this very same way that day.
There were many beautiful poems in this collection that I could understand and relate to. Ferrand is clearly a poet unafraid to share his journey around New York and toward himself with readers, and the result is often beautiful. Overall this book was very moving and a pleasure to read. At times some of the imagery was a bit too opaque for me, but the emotion behind even Ferrand's most nebulous lines was clear. Finally, as someone who owns and reads many poetry books, I do feel that the book would benefit from a table of contents, so that readers could find their way to favorite poems more easily.
Recommend this book:
Under The Stone
Hongvan Nguyen
2011 Finalist
86 Pages
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Poetry - General
Under the Stone is a book of poetry. Featured are poems written in many different forms, as well as poems written about many different topics. Some poems are joyful and happy, while some are about things that are sad. Some of the poems that I liked the most are: "Once Upon My High School Time"; "In the Summer Garden"; "December Stanza"; "Seasonal Flowers"; "On the 4th of July"; "Spring Has Come Back" and "Lullaby for a Sleeping Child." These poems and many others in this book are not only fun to read, the effects they have on you give you new and interesting places to think about, new ideas and a new language in poetry. I loved the Lullaby Child poem because of the sweetness of the feeling it gives while reading it. The words calmly flow throughout the poem as it describes the precious sleeping child.
Since I don't read a lot of poetry, this book was new and different for me, giving me a different aspect to my usual reading. The poems were interesting and a lot of fun to read, and reading them a second time, paying attention to the easy flowing words, was emotional and gave me a musical feeling. Not all of the poems in the book flow easily, though...just the ones I picked as favorites. I enjoyed this book and could feel the heart and emotions of the author as I read the poems.
Recommend this book:
Real Life Poem Collections
Todd Pagano
2011 Honorable Mention
80 Pages
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Poetry - General
Real Life Poem Collections by Todd Pagano, is a book of poetry that, at times, reads like a very short story. They are poems that deal with real life issues, spirituality, humor and everyday situations. From poems to our President, to our soldiers and the American Flag, to Christianity, there are sure to be a few poems in this small book that will become a favorite. A few favorites of mine were "A Mother's Love," "This House," and "The Love Of Your Life." With just 47 pages in the book, there are also several blank pages in the back for taking notes, expressing thoughts, or perhaps writing one's own poetry.
The book contains 76 poems, but they are short. I enjoy reading poetry; and I have learned over the years, it is best to read poems slowly to get the full impact of what the poet is communicating. I found the lack of punctuation marks had me mentally inserting them as I read. With that thought in mind, I consider these to be more prose than poetry. Whether one considers them poetry, prose, or very short story-type poems, I feel the reader will enjoy the book.
Recommend this book:
A Book of Poems
The Inner Soul
Anthony F. Rando
2011 Bronze Medal
52 Pages
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Poetry - General
A Book Of Poems: The Inner Soul was written after a tragedy in the authors life. Surviving an auto accident he put his deepest feelings into his poetry, his inner soul into words. As he writes he portrays sadness, love and loss, joyful expressions and moments of pain as he relates to life in general throughout his poems.
Out of this small book of 19 poems there is a poem for each and every reader that will touch them in their inner soul. "Beautiful Dove", "Cleansing Love" and "My Rose" were my favorites. As I was reading through the book I was reminded of the Book of Solomon and the beautiful analogy between lovers. The photography included with each piece of poetry is simple but compliments each written piece. Recommended for everyone. I think each and every reader would find their self in at least one poem.
Recommend this book:
Body Parts
A Collection of Poems About Aging
Janet Cameron Hoult
2010 Honorable Mention
60 Pages
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Poetry - General
Janet Hoult, Professor Emerita at California State and writer of this little rhyming tome, might be in her seventies but I have to say that she is sharp as a tack and her poetry is right on real.
"Body Parts" takes a whimsical look at all the things that can happen to older folks and all the debilitating conditions that we go through as we get older: poor vision, hearing loss, memory loss, arthritis, hair less/loss, replacement parts and a whole bunch of other stuff.
Her message is clear. In very funny verse she tells us all to freely share our knowledge with younger folk and try to look on the bright side. We are not growing older; we are growing better.
Janet made my day. I took this book to my dermatologist`s office and shared some of the funny poems within. We all had a good laugh while waiting for our appointments. Thank you Janet and keep writing. You could be the next Janet Thurber.
Recommend this book:
Just Hanging Out
A collectioin of poems for kids
Khaya Dawn Klanot
2010 Gold Medal
48 Pages
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Poetry - General
Khaya Dawn Klanot clearly expresses the definition of a real friend in her poem "A True Friend". In "A Rainbow of Moods", the author expresses the emotions and moods that she associates with colors. Parents will appreciate the words in "A Very Busy Family". "My Little Brother" expresses the author’s love and understanding she has for her little brother. "Bubblegum" will have readers laughing.
"Just Hanging Out" is a collection of poems for children written by nine-year-old Khaya Dawn Klanot. The poems cover a wide range of topics that will appeal to 7 to10 year olds. The book has colorful footprints that lead to entertaining prose. Each poem has a corresponding illustration. One of the unique features of this book is the relationship between who wrote and who illustrated it. This is collaboration between granddaughter and grandmother. Dr. Karen Pirnot and granddaughter, Khaya Dawn Klanot, worked closely together to create a book that will please all readers. Khaya is a talented poet. I look forward to reading more of her work.
Recommend this book:
Through Eyes Of Faith
Mary Dixon
2009 Gold Medal
148 Pages
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Poetry - General
Mary Dixon is a talented poet. Her words grace the pages of her book. Through Eyes Of Faith. She successfully expresses her faith in a way I cannot. The first poem in her book is my favorite, Can You Imagine? The poem asks us to imagine heaven, sitting at the feet of Jesus, greeting loved ones from our past, and worshiping with abandon. In Sensing God’s Presence she reminds us that God speaks to each us differently. Fear Not reminds us that he is always with us and we have nothing to fear.
I will keep Through Eyes Of Faith on my book shelf to return to often. It has a deep wisdom in through simple words. Too often poetry is obscure and difficult to understand not true with Through Eyes Of Faith. Dixon’s poetry is very easy to read and understand. I look forward to more books by this artist.