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:
The Land Without Color
Benjamin Ellefson
2016 Silver Medal
168 Pages
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Children - Fable
In a fun, funny and adventurous new story targeting children in later elementary grades, The Land Without Color is the first book in a new series by the same name written by author Benjamin Ellefson. This book will engage its readers from the very beginning and will keep them reading all the way through until the very end. Follow the story of protagonist 12-year-old Alvin, a boy who finds himself in quite a predicament. After floating through the air with the aid of a huge gum bubble, he lands in a world unlike any other he's seen before, a land without color. Everything there is gray, and no one is quite sure why. Alvin meets some new friends that are set on helping him, as well as solving the mystery of the colorless landscape that surrounds them. Will they succeed, and will Alvin find his way home? You'll have to read the book to find out!
I loved The Land Without Color. Loved. It. How's that for a review? Well, it's definitely how I felt about this lovely book for older children. Author Benjamin Ellefson has done a wonderful job in creating a story line that will entertain its readers and please their parents with its message and tone. This book contains elements of fantasy, fairy tale, action and adventure, is fast paced, and is simply a fun read! Any child, but especially those between fourth and sixth grades, would enjoy this book, and their parents should absolutely buy it for them. I highly recommend this book, and look forward to seeing more in this promising series by author Benjamin Ellefson, hopefully in the very near future!
Recommend this book:
A Story of Becoming
An Inspiring Fantasy Fable
Ayn Cates Sullivan
2016 Gold Medal
83 Pages
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Children - Fable
Unseen, unaware, a seed lies deep within the soil. A Story of Becoming by Ayn Cates Sullivan PhD is a seed’s journey of self-discovery. The seed reaches toward the light and breaks the surface into a beautiful majestic world of wonder. Observing the world creates times of self reflection and transformation. As the seedling grows and matures, she becomes more in tune with her surroundings, finding harmony in nature. However, as she continues to develop, she questions her purpose in the meadow. Why was she created? What is she becoming? When the storms of life alter the world as she knows it, she gains further understanding of her future and destiny. Renewed, refreshed and full of life, she gives of herself generously, multiplying her goodness for generations to come.
Ayn Cates Sullivan's A Story of Becoming reveals the miracle of life. This allegorical narrative may be diminutive in pages, but it is extensive in meaning. Elements of truth buried beneath the surface of the narrative resemble the nutrients held within the soil that nourishes nature’s fauna. I read it several times, discovering hidden gems of understanding each time. Sullivan’s writing style is sensory, simplistic, and eloquently imaginative. Belle Crow DuCray’s artwork illustrates the story beautifully, bringing depth and animation to Sullivan’s words. The fantasy fable’s theme echoes the unique purpose of life. Its mood is magical; nuances of awe, child-like innocence, and the wonderment of creation meld together masterfully. Sullivan creates balance in the narrative by portraying the challenges of life with the fortitude to overcome by becoming who you are destined to be. A Story of Becoming will inspire both young and mature with its timeless message.
Recommend this book:
The Balderdash Saga
The Underground Princess, Book 1 of Lower Grade Adventure
J. W. Zulauf
2015 Finalist
114 Pages
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Children - Fable
The Underground Princess (The Balderdash Saga, Book 1 of Lower Grade Adventure) by J.W. Zulauf is a story about Princess Scarlet who lives in the underground kingdom, Balderdash, under Ashcroft village’s graveyard. Scarlet dreams of falling in love and living happily ever after, but her father, King Hurlock, find her wish nonsensical as they are not humans anymore but resurrected corpses. He worries about her safety a lot, especially when his enemy Maleer constantly tries to dethrone him. However, it seems that Scarlet might get her wish. A prince has died in a hunting accident and will be buried in the Ashcroft graveyard. King Hurlock sees this as an answer to Scarlet’s yearning, where the prince can possibly be her one true love. Unfortunately, Maleer initiates his evil plan and Scarlet has to act quickly to save the kingdom.
The ensemble cast is quirky and compelling, a fantastical depiction of what the existence between life and death would likely be. With a touch of the macabre, The Underground Princess is entertaining and fast-paced; it’s perfect for bedtime reading. It’s also a great book and series to entice reluctant young readers. The cover art and illustrations by Luke Spooner are simply grand. They really complement the story well. While this series may be aimed at 6 to 12-year-olds, it’s no stretch to imagine older readers getting a kick out of the story as well. The Balderdash Saga is unique and stands out from the rest. Simply put, this is an excellent work from Zulauf.
Recommend this book:
Cinderella's Secret Slipper
Alinka Rutkowska
2015 Honorable Mention
34 Pages
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Children - Fable
Cinderella's Secret Slipper is a children's picture book written by Alinka Rutkowska and illustrated by Konrad Checinski. Cinderella and Prince Charming have a son, Junior, whose fourth birthday is approaching. They want to do something special for him and the prince suggests a royal gala celebration. He asks Cinderella to wear the glass slippers that she was wearing when they met. She's got them safely stowed away in a box in her closet, but when she opens the box, she only finds one slipper. Junior found them and is smashing a mosquito with the other glass slipper. Cinderella only has one slipper now, and she must find a way to get the broken one fixed.
Alinka Rutkowska's children's picture book, Cinderella's Secret Slipper, is a clever and entertaining extension of the classic fairy tale. It also has a bit of suspense as Cinderella needs to get that slipper fixed. Checinski's illustrations are marvelous! They're bold and brightly colored and fit the dialogue to a tee. This is a great first reader book or bedtime read-aloud for parents or care-givers. Rutkowska adds discussion questions at the end of the story as well as a version of the original fairy tale, which could be a perfect prelude or follow-up for a read-aloud session. I liked the mood of Cinderella's Secret Slipper and enjoyed seeing how Cinderella resolved her problem. While I'm familiar with this author's excellent Maya & Filippo series, this is the first of her fairy tale retelling series that I've read. Cinderella's Secret Slipper is quite impressive and it's highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
The Little Seahorse
Sheri Fink
2015 Bronze Medal
28 Pages
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Children - Fable
The Little Seahorse, written by Sheri Fink and illustrated by Mary Erikson Washam, is the story of a little seahorse who finds a shining orb on the sea floor and wants to take it as a present for his mother. The problem is how to move it, as he is so little. He makes friends with two pipefish and asks for their help. He is very nervous about asking for help because he is quite shy. However, the pipefish think it is a lovely idea to give the orb as a gift to his mother, and they agree to help. As they devise a way to take the gift to the home of Little Seahorse, other creatures of the sea gather around to watch and some offer help as well. When they finally arrive home with the gift, his mother is delighted.
This is a charming story which encompasses so many elements. The idea of finding something special as a gift for his mother; overcoming shyness to ask for help; making new friends; and never giving up to do something special for someone else. It’s a great lesson in giving. The author, Sheri Fink, has created an interesting story with a gentle message that any child will enjoy. The illustrations are beautiful and colourful and really enhance the story. This would be an ideal book for a parent to read to a child where they can discuss some of the elements of the story that might be appropriate, for example, if a child finds difficulty in making friends. The little seahorse overcame his shyness because he was thinking of others rather than himself. This would also be a lovely addition to a kindergarten class.
Recommend this book:
Hope
The Story of a Banana-Fish
David A Neumeier
2015 Silver Medal
118 Pages
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Children - Fable
Hope: The Story of A Banana-Fish by David A. Neumeier is a beautifully written story about a banana-fish named Hope. David cleverly crafts the story in telling us about Hope as he intermingles the elements of the sea world into it. He introduces the book like a movie. In his prologue, David provides a quick lesson about banana-fish, which are colorful and non-carnivorous, and banana-crabs, which are large and primarily live in tropical waters. Then he leads us into the sea where we meet a cast of characters. From the beginning, Hope was unlike any other banana-fish due to her larger than normal body size and her quick and adept swimming abilities at such a young age. As Hope starts to find herself, she begins to evolve in a world all of her own. Her quest to define her uniqueness leads her on a journey where she meets three new friends that are taboo within the sea world: Zig, the wise elder banana-crab, and Stubs and Spike, two young, energetic catfish that help her to make a difference in the sea world. Just because you are taught a certain way, does it always have to be that way or is there any room for change? David ends the book with an epilogue which tells us the outcome of these characters. Maybe one day Hope: The Story of A Banana-Fish by David A. Neumeier will be in a theatre near you.
I found Hope: The Story of A Banana-Fish by David A. Neumeier to be a great book; it created a world of imagination for me. I was able to see the details in the story and become one with the tale. As you begin to read, you will be taken into a world of not only learning about banana-fish and banana-crabs, but also catfish, jellyfish and other sea life. The essence for me, that I am sure you will enjoy as well, is that Hope: The Story of A Banana-Fish by David A. Neumeier is ideal for any age, especially those that have an interest in or want to know more about sea life. If this is you, I recommend that you pick up a copy today.
Recommend this book:
The Moth and the Sun
Gary Bernard
2015 Gold Medal
44 Pages
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Children - Fable
There is a watermark on the cover of The Moth and the Sun. If you look closely, you can see the outstretched wings of a moth. We tend to take moths for granted. In fact, many of us don't really like them. But they are creatures of mystery, always searching for the light, always looking beyond, moving beyond what is here and now. This is a charming story about a moth flying around Paris, France. It sees all kinds of things: tall buildings, a mounted knight, but best of all, it sees the sun. The moth loves the light shining from the sun and it wants to fly all the way to the sun to meet the source of this great light. Even the blades of grass are captured by the moth's enthusiasm and they want to go too. Alas, the moth cannot take the grass, but it suggests that perhaps the wind will take the grass to meet the sun. This story is a fable, a fantasy, but it's also a learning tool, not only about moths and even a little bit about Paris, it's a learning tool about language because this book is trilingual. In other words, it's written in three languages: French, English and Spanish.
The author, Gary Bernard, tells a story in his introduction to this book. It is a story about this book, which he claims has magical powers as it was discovered buried away and forgotten. His introductory story also tells the reader about a man in Paris who wrote stories and drew pictures about nature. This man was known as Papy de nuit (Grandfather of the night). We are told that Papy de nuit actually wrote this book. Gary Bernard is merely sharing it with us. The magical treasure in this book is not just the sharing of the moth's story and the lovely illustrations, it is the sharing of the reader's stories, as there is a section at the end of the book where the reader may add his/her own story about the moth. The magical treasure is the treasure of sharing. Well done!
Recommend this book:
The Golden Wood
The King of the Trees, 3
William D. Burt
2014 Finalist
Kindle Edition
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Children - Fable
The Golden Wood (The King of the Trees, 3) by William D. Burt is the third book of the series. King Rolin and Queen Marlin are forced into exile. With their companions, they set out to discover the secrets of the fabled golden forests from the griffins. They must also ask for help from the Wood Folk, an ancient race.
The book, like the previous two books, is filled with adventure, mystery, and fantasy. The whimsy element always attracts readers because it provides a surreal and ethereal feel to the story and its descriptions. The author has created a new world for children filled with tree-men, owl-faced griffins, and has made Lucambra an enchanted area. Adventure and fantasy stories go well together and always attract readers. The creativity of the author is reflected in the characters, the places, and the descriptions.
The story has a Christian theme and message for readers. Books with a message and a moral are always good for young readers because they always manage to make an impact. It is not only a book for children because adults can enjoy this adventure/fantasy tale as well. The rhymes, the simple song at the end, and the black and white sketches add to the charm of the book.
Recommend this book:
Maya & Filippo Separate in Skagway
Alinka Rutkowska
2014 Honorable Mention
34 Pages
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Children - Fable
Alinka Rutkowska and Konrad Checinski have done it again in Maya & Filippo Separate in Skagway. Maya and Filippo travel all over the world with their mom, dad, and their cat named Otello on a ship called the Fun Princess. They see many wonderful sights and always learn valuable lessons. When the Fun Princess docks along the coast of Skagway, Alaska, everyone but Filippo is eager to see the sights of a frontier town that boomed, almost overnight, in 1898 when two men found gold. Because Filippo is in such a foul mood, Maya and her mother board the White Pass train and enjoy a fantastic day of beautiful vistas and bright sunshine, but Filippo stays with his dad and goes to the park. Filippo’s sour day only gets worse when it starts to rain and then he spills hot chocolate on himself. “Don’t let a few drops spoil your day. You can turn it around, Filippo,” his dad tells him. Will Filippo be able to turn his day in Skagway around or will the whole trip be ruined for him? Find out what happens and then ace the quiz at the back of the book. There are also some interesting facts about Skagway to add to the lessons that Maya and Filippo learn.
The simple lessons and bright colors of Maya & Filippo Separate in Skagway are a continuation of the already brilliant series written by Alinka Rutkowska and illustrated by Konrad Checinski. The new sights that they explore and the fun facts that are discovered about places all over the world spur the imagination of children who read their books. The simple yet profound lessons that are learned are ones that ought to stick with them throughout their lives and are an excellent reminder even to adults. The colorful illustrations grab your attention and make the story come alive. Simple, colorful and profound, Maya & Filippo Separate in Skagway will brighten your day and help you turn it around.
Recommend this book:
Holly Horse and the Great Quest
Books for Kids
Jennifer Loveless
2014 Bronze Medal
40 Pages
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Children - Fable
Holly Horse and The Great Quest by Jennifer Loveless is a delightful book about Holly the horse, her adventures, and her meeting Gary the goat with whom she becomes very friendly.
This is one of the best children's books I have read because it is so simple. It is educational as well with a delightful concept behind the story. The book introduces young readers to the world of animals, how they like to make friends with other animals, and how they also lead adventurous lives. Gary the goat is another likable character.
The story is complemented beautifully through pictures. The illustrations are absolutely stunning in their texture and style. That makes the book even more attractive for a young reader. The illustrations have also created an identity for the animals and their surroundings. Both Holly and Gary are illustrated so well that they remain in your mind. The mountains, the animals and the delectable grass are all fascinating for a little child.
It's a story book which every school library should keep because it really develops children's comprehension skills. It also makes them curious to read more about animals and perhaps try out coloring pictures. A stimulating, fun read for any young child.