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:
Being a Captain is Hard Work
A Captain No Beard Story (Volume 10)
Carole P. Roman
2019 Gold Medal
59 Pages
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Children - Adventure
If you're looking for a colorful children’s picture book about decisions, perseverance and consequences, pick up a copy of Being a Captain is Hard Work: A Captain No Beard Story (Volume 10) by Carole P. Roman. This book is part of a series about a captain who is as stubborn as it comes when he has his mind set on a task, mission or goal. Against all of the best interests of his crew, Captain No Beard stops at nothing - from dark clouds, high winds or rough seas - to get to the Dew Rite Volcano. Everyone is puzzled as to why Captain No Beard can't see these unstable forces that can put their lives at risk. It is his constant bantering response of “Because I'm the Captain and I know what I'm doing” to their initial questions that causes them to follow his orders, despite what they feel or see.
This is not only a beautifully illustrated children’s book, but the lessons that it displays provide an excellent learning tool for young readers. Children will learn about opposition, teamwork, friendship, and what it takes to be a leader. It was cute that the author added Hallie, to whom the book is dedicated, as a part of the story. As a captain, Captain No Beard is responsible for both the good and the bad that happens to the ship and his crew. If you want to learn how everything turns out, get a copy of the book - the ending will surprise you. As an added bonus, you'll see a Cloud List Key to learn about the different types of clouds floating in the sky.
Recommend this book:
The Bubble in Me
J. Alvarez
2018 Finalist
80 Pages
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Children - Adventure
The Bubble in Me by J. Alvarez is a quirky tale of friendship and teamwork. Tibby is a chubby tiger who befriends poor Benny, the bumblebee who can’t fly. Together they join forces with Hiccup the Hippo who has no friends because, whenever she speaks, she hiccups. The three friends accept each other for who they are, no matter what their flaws and, after Hiccup tells them a secret, they set off on a great adventure. Along the way they make new friends, they solve problems, and come together as one big happy family that may not be perfect to others but, to each other, they are valuable and gifted friends.
The Bubble in Me by J. Alvarez is a wonderful story for children, complete with pictures that help to bring more life to the story. This isn’t just a kids' adventure story; this is a lesson, not just for kids but for adults too, on friendship, insecurity, accepting people for who they are and not what society dictates they should be. It also teaches teamwork, an invaluable lesson for anyone. This is a highly entertaining, humorous tale about characters with very genuine issues to overcome. While children can enjoy an incredibly well-written adventure story, they can also learn how to deal with emotions, in particular jealousy, in a very creative way. Funny with serious undertones, plenty of quirky characters and a great story line, this is a delightful book for kids, and both children and adults can learn a few lessons along the way.
Recommend this book:
Captain No Beard and the Aurora Borealis
A Captain No Beard Story (Volume 7)
Carole P. Roman
2018 Honorable Mention
40 Pages
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Children - Adventure
Readers, are you curious to learn what awaits you in this story of Captain No Beard and the Aurora Borealis by Carole P. Roman? I am! The opening scene finds the crew gasping when they see the giant ice mountain. The crew is shivering and they cannot see where they are heading because the sky is dark. Captain No Beard sees the North Star and they know they are heading north. Captain No Beard tells his crew he is planning to take something away from the north and bring it to their home. The crew does not want to do it as they think it is stealing. What is that Captain No Beard is planning to take back home with him?
This story tells young readers about the Aurora Borealis and I like the way the author knits science, imagination, and creativity together beautifully, making it very appealing and enchanting to readers. Like Carole P. Roman's other stories, this book has charming illustrations that bring the scenes and the characters alive. This series is a good one to have in schools and children’s libraries because of its educational and informative content. Parents can also keep it in their personal collection at home because it is easy for them to help their children understand a lot of useful concepts and good messages. This series is a real entertainer and with all its interesting characters and heartwarming stories and messages, it will definitely find a place in the hearts of all its readers.
Recommend this book:
Talon, Come Fly with Me
The Talon Series, Book 1
Gigi Sedlmayer
2018 Silver Medal
198 Pages
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Children - Adventure
Talon, Come Fly with Me: The Talon Series, Book 1 is a preteen and young adult adventure novel written by Gigi Sedlmayer. Being nearly ten years old and having the body of a two-year-old has not been without its challenges for Matica, especially since the Indians in the little village of Pucara in Peru, where she and her family live, are not at all comfortable with her and have forbidden their children to play with her. While she was born in Australia, she’s been living there with her missionary parents and her younger brother, Aikon, since she was four years old. Matica loves the village, but she wishes she could have friends like her little brother does. Her interest in birds leads her to admire the Andean condors who have decided to stay in the nearby mountains. She goes out to her special place to see them every day and even takes a dead lizard, when she or Aikon can find one, to toss up to the big male condor. Then one day he lands in a nearby tree to meet her. It is a momentous experience for both Matica and the huge, intelligent bird who almost seems to understand what she says -- a life-changing one.
Gigi Sedlmayer's young adult coming of age novel, Talon, Come Fly with Me: The Talon Series, Book 1, is a moving and unforgettable story about a lonely girl's friendship with an Andean condor. The author does a fabulous job of recreating the little village of Pucara and the surrounding natural areas for her readers, and her characters are finely drawn and authentic. Matica is a grand main character and watching as she summons up the courage to meet her Tamo, the adult male condor she befriends, is a remarkable thing indeed. I could feel her fear and apprehension as she devises plans to foil the intentions of the animal smugglers who are determined to steal the condor pair's egg, and cheered along with her as she finally sees a benefit to her special stature. Talon, Come Fly with Me: The Talon Series, Book 1 is most highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
Serendipity Mystery
Diary of a Snoopy Cat
R.F. Kristi
2018 Gold Medal
95 Pages
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Children - Adventure
Serendipity Mystery (Diary of a Snoopy Cat) by R.F. Christi is a fun children's book about a cat named Inca, who runs a detective agency. Inca and her family are vacationing in Sri Lanka, enjoying the sun and making new friends. But then a valuable sword goes missing from a museum, and so Inca and Company, the detective agency, sets out to solve the mystery with help from their new friends, a sea turtle and an elephant. With lots of fun adventures, the book takes the reader on a journey through Sri Lanka, but will Inca be able to solve the crime?
I really enjoyed reading Serendipity Mystery (Diary of a Snoopy Cat) by R.F. Christi. The book is well written, and I liked that it was written like a diary from the perspective of a cat. I enjoyed that the book wasn't totally focused on the mystery, and that the characters go on side adventures as well. Readers will like that it is about a cat. It was cool that the cats thought like humans. The book is interesting and I didn't want to put it down. It is a very fun and enjoyable read with some very well written characters that readers will love. Young readers will be inspired by Inca, and perhaps will want to become detectives. I appreciated that the book introduced the characters before the story began, which meant that it would make more sense to people who hadn't read the whole series. I loved the images, as they are well drawn and adorable, and they help to depict the story. I would definitely recommend this book to readers.
Recommend this book:
The Shadow of the Minotaur
Shadows from the Past, Book 2
Wendy Leighton - Porter
2017 Finalist
248 Pages
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Children - Adventure
Joe, Jemima, Charlie, and Max have opened the large Shadows From The Past book again! Join the children and Max on another fantastic time-traveling adventure in The Shadow of The Minotaur by Wendy Leighton-Porter. Joe and Jemima Lancelot have recently discovered that their time-traveling parents are lost in the past. Their only hope lies in the children finding them and bringing them a special key that takes them home. With their friend Charlie and talking Tonkinese cat Max at their sides, Joe and Jemima bravely step into the past. As the children and Max search for the missing Lancelots, they experience history in ways never imagined. This adventure sends them to ancient Knossos. It's a race against time as Joe, Jemima, Charlie and Max help Prince Theseus to kill the fearsome half-man, half-bull creature known as a Minotaur. With the assistance of a lovely young princess, the children and Max find a way to get into the labyrinth where the gruesome beast feasts on humans so as to aid the young prince. Only, once in the Minotaur’s dangerous lair, they find themselves trapped with no hope of escape. With the children locked deep within the Minotaur's labyrinth and their only help now a hostage in the palace, one special hero tries to save the day. Can he get help before it's too late? Will the children suffer the same fate as the twins' parents and be forever lost in time? Or worse, be eaten by the mighty Minotaur?
Another wonderful book by master story-weaver, Wendy Leighton Porter! The Shadow of The Minotaur is the second book in the Shadows From The Past series. This book is action packed and filled with adventure around every corner. The reader, young or old, won't be able to put the book down to the last page. I loved that it came with a helpful pronunciation key to help the less experienced reader. I love the Shadows From The Past series. The author has an extraordinary ability to combine history with fiction in such a realistic manner. It gives the reader the feeling of being there, next to her characters. She then explains in detail what is history and what is fiction so that the reader won't become confused. Although this book is rather gory in parts, I didn't find it offensive. Contrarily, the goriness only added to the intensity and believability of the story. This is a must-read for any youngster. I recommend this book to children ages 7-10, but I believe anyone would enjoy it. I certainly did!
Recommend this book:
The Shadow of Atlantis
Shadows from the Past, Book 1
Wendy Leighton-Porter
2017 Finalist
236 Pages
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Children - Adventure
Shadow of Atlantis by Wendy Leighton-Porter is about three children and a cat named Max, traveling back in time to the island of Atlantis. They arrive in Atlantis right before the volcanic eruption that destroyed the island and sank it into the Mediterranean Sea. An Atlantean family befriends them and they are able to tell them about the impending danger to Atlantis. The reader meets twins Jemima and Joe, Charlie, their friend, and Max, an extraordinarily large cat. In Atlantis, they learn about the disappearance of their parents who are lost in time, because they began their time travel without the key they needed to return through the portal of an old book: Shadows From the Past. This book opens the portal that allows them to travel to the past. It is opened with a key that Jemima wears on a chain. In the box with the book was a pouch of gold owl charms which allow the children to understand the language of the land, and to understand Max, their Tonkinese cat.
This is a wonderful story of adventure back into mythical history. It is a fun read, well developed and executed. The descriptions and characters are appropriate for the age intended. Children looking for adventure will enjoy this one. They will enjoy the speculation that Atlantis was in the Mediterranean Sea. The culture, customs, and society are covered by the introduction to the family of Medon, the fisherman. The high priests of Poseidon decide that the tales of Atlantis’s destruction are sent by the spies of Athena, and try to cause trouble, but Max figures out a way to rescue them. I give this book a five out of five stars and recommend it for all history buffs and adventure lovers.
Recommend this book:
The Adventures of PJ and Split Pea
In the Pink Vol. I-III
S D Moore
2017 Honorable Mention
118 Pages
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Children - Adventure
The Adventures of PJ and Split Pea: Vols. I-III is 3-volume collection of humorous adventure stories for young readers written by S.D. Moore and illustrated by Bobbi Switzer. PJ was the smallest kid in his class, and he sometimes got teased about that by his classmates. His dad was also away quite a bit lately for business, which had been getting PJ down, but PJ’s mom had the perfect idea for making her little guy smile again. They were going to Mr. Peppy’s Pet Store to pick out a pet for him, and he would be able to choose whatever type of pet he’d like. Once they got there, his mom and Mr. Peppy started talking, and PJ wandered around the store considering who he would take home. A goldfish? Nah, you can’t really do much playing outdoors with a fish, and a guinea pig was an awful lot like a rat which his mom hates. A dog would be kind of cool, but PJ remembered what his mom said about the responsibilities involved in taking care of a dog. Then PJ heard a voice call his name -- it was a parrot. Mr. Peppy explained that his name was Split Pea, a name the bird earned both for his coloring and the split in his wing feathers from having been caught out in a storm. PJ knew almost instantly that Split Pea was the perfect pet and best friend for him. They left Mr. Peppy’s together and proceeded to go off on adventures.
S.D. Moore’s collection of humorous adventure stories for early readers, The Adventures of PJ and Split Pea: Vols. I-III, is a grand selection for early readers, but it’s also one of those books that you’re going to want to share with younger children at story time. It might even spur some reluctant readers to start trying reading books on their own. Moore’s stories are silly and fun, filled with the kinds of things that get kids, and some adults, giggling, such as using stinky socks to cover up the gaps in Split Pea’s wings (which didn’t work) and following as PJ tries to borrow false teeth for his class photo. Bobbi Switzer’s illustrations are awesome and give these stories a graphic novel feel. They’re brightly colored, hilarious and beautifully showcase the growing friendship between PJ and Split Pea. Moore includes a Bonus Activity Book at the end of the stories which includes a word search, pages from the stories to color, and a maze. The Adventures of PJ and Split Pea: Vols. I-III is most highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
That Curious Sign on Aisle Nine
Kyle LB Morey
2017 Silver Medal
30 Pages
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Children - Adventure
The purple hands on the front cover intrigued me so I had to read That Curious Sign on Aisle Nine, written by Kyle Morey with Laren Bright. And of course, when I read the sign on page 8, I also wanted to know what was behind the sign. But, what happens if you touch him? This book is a real page-turner that will have both children and adults curious as to what happens next. What a surprising twist right at the end! You’ve just got to read That Curious Sign on Aisle Nine.
The illustrations by Dwayne Bruce in That Curious Sign on Aisle Nine are excellent! Lots of color tones, the big, bold illustrations jump off the pages and add so much to the story. I like the rounded, feathered edges of the artwork and how sometimes a foot steps out. We can see the fear in the curious boy’s face, as the artwork demonstrates the story accurately. Authors Kyle Morey and Laren Bright have written a best-seller; That Curious Sign on Aisle Nine is a rhyming adventure full of mystery that will have children and their parents wondering what happens next. From start to finish, children will be entertained with words that sing from the page. That Curious Sign on Aisle Nine has a winning combination of an intriguing and entertaining story, sprinkled with the right amount of fear, and wonderful illustrations—an absolute joy to read again and again. That Curious Sign on Aisle Nine is a must-have picture book for every child’s bookshelf.
Recommend this book:
Rocket-Bye
Carole P. Roman
2017 Gold Medal
32 Pages
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Children - Adventure
Rocket-bye by Carole P. Roman is an enjoyable picture book that takes young readers on an exciting journey. It is about two people in outer space. They soar above trees and see cities look small. They see stars make up constellations, and soar past each planet. They visit Mercury, and then romp past Venus, and then later ride the rings of Saturn, and they dart past Uranus. They have a splendid journey exploring outer space. But how will this fun adventure come to an end?
I absolutely loved Rocket-bye by Carole P. Roman. The book rhymes perfectly, and has a nice rhythm to it. It's a fun, enjoyable book and is perfect for a bedtime story. The pictures by illustrator Mateya Arkova are simple and beautiful, and depict the story very well. The pictures also show real constellations behind the characters, which helps if someone wanted to learn about the constellations. The book is also a great way to learn about space, as the characters visit the planets in order, as well as mentioning the names of some constellations and stars. Carole P. Roman clearly put a lot of time into writing the book as it is well developed and planned out. I liked how the author described what everything looked like when the characters were on the rocket. I also liked how the story seemed to include the reader. Rocket-bye is a stunning book that is perfect for all children. I would recommend this for young readers.