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 Adventures of Jimmy Crikey
Jade, The Youngest Ever Witch
Wallace E Briggs

2023 Finalist
261 Pages
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Children - Fantasy/Sci-Fi

The Adventures of Jimmy Crikey: Jade, The Youngest Ever Witch by Wallace E Briggs is a children's fantasy story. If your child loves witchcraft, aliens, and futuristic tales, then this book will become their new favorite in no time. Join Jimmy the alien, his friend Jade the witch, together with all their friends, co-workers, and townsfolk, as they race to save their homes and fight against multiple threats. If everyone works together, will they be able to restore peace? Find out in this thrilling book.
The Adventures of Jimmy Crikey was a pleasure to read. From the first page, you are drawn into the world Wallace E Briggs has created. I was immediately engaged by the plot and eager to get to know the characters better. Wallace certainly has a talent for writing professional content. The story read with ease and I didn't lose focus on what was going on. There are so many different characters that you will grow to love during the time it takes to read the book. I liked that there are witches and aliens all working together as it felt unusual to me. The front cover sets you up for what you are about to read. I found it useful when trying to imagine what certain characters would look like. Jimmy was my favorite of them all and he is unique! I loved the story Wallace has written and I hope to read his next book. Keep up the good work and stay creative!
Recommend this book:
Aster The Spirit Talker
A middle grade fantasy
Allie Compeau

2023 Honorable Mention
200 Pages
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Children - Fantasy/Sci-Fi

Aster The Spirit Talker: A Middle Grade Fantasy is a fantasy novel for children and preteens written by Allie Compeau. Aster was all sorts of excited and just a little bit scared about her family’s move to their forever home. Her dad was in the military, so she had grown up never being in one place for very long. This would be different. Her father had retired from the military and would be a commercial pilot, and the house they would be living in was theirs. When they arrived, Aster marvelled at the architecture of the new house -- it was so much like the fairytale cottages she envisioned while reading her books! Then she saw the backyard -- it was huge and filled with lush greenery and flowers. And, looking up, she saw geese honking overhead, and she was thrilled when her dad said that he had seen deer in the yard when he first saw the house. Going inside, Aster’s bedroom was perfect; the lavender tones of the walls and furnishings made her smile, and the view from the large picture window facing out on the backyard and the woodlands beyond it was mesmerizing. But Aster’s sparkling new world was soon to get even better and brighter.
Allie Compeau’s fantasy novel for children and preteens, Aster The Spirit Talker: A Middle Grade Fantasy, is a marvelous tale about a sheltered ten-year-old girl whose move to a new house is world-changing. I loved watching as the timid and insecure Aster grows into a strong and daring young heroine, one who learns that fear is normal, but acting in spite of your fear is bravery. Aster’s animal companions are a treat to get to know, and the work they do helping her prepare for her role in saving the planet makes for a grand story. Compeau’s plot is exciting and fast-paced with plenty of pitfalls and villains to make readers wonder if Aster will even survive, and her characters are credible and well developed. Allie Compeau’s animal-oriented epic fantasy for kids is well worth a read, no matter what your chronological age. Aster The Spirit Talker: A Middle Grade Fantasy is most highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
The Word Dancer
Maxine Rose Schur

2023 Honorable Mention
208 Pages
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Children - Fantasy/Sci-Fi

In the kingdom of Wisland, everyone waits in anticipation of the next word that will come forth from the lips of the Word Dancer. This mysterious shaman comes to the kingdom from time to time and dances his way into the king's court, finishing his strange dancing exhibition with the utterance of a single prophetic word. On this occasion, the word is an ominous warning of a rapidly approaching evil but the king and his subjects pay no heed to the Word Dancer. Salvation for the kingdom lies in the hands of a young orphan whose family once held a position of importance in King Goodliwink's court. Wynnfrith must find the courage to save her king and her home in Maxine Rose Schur's The Word Dancer.
Maxine Rose Schur's The Word Dancer offers poetry expertly integrated into a riveting children's story so fluidly that it dictates the pace of the story. The storyline is straightforward, the characters are simplistic in their initial appearances, and their motivations are visible and impressively easy to interpret. What stands out the most for me with this interesting mix of poetry and prose is the lyrical descriptions used for almost everything of interest. The result is a visually attractive story that is intent on holding a child's attention throughout. The Word Dancer exudes the promise of a delightful reading experience waiting to happen.
Recommend this book:
DanSing Pancakes' Healthy Choices Musical Story
Joe Coleman

2023 Bronze Medal
44 Pages
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Children - Fantasy/Sci-Fi

DanSing Pancakes’ Healthy Choices Musical Story by Joe Coleman is a high-spirited children’s picture book that will have you singing and dancing wherever you are when you read the story. The illustrations by Aubrey Morgan Foster, Tracy Foster Pyke, and Tafgraphics Design Studio Inc. are bright and pop off the page in a way that is sure to hold a child’s attention. While Pablo and Priscilla Pancake are not the typical characters you would expect in a children’s picture book, they are lively and so incredibly unique that you’ll want to read more books about talking, dancing, and singing pancakes.
Joe Coleman’s DanSing Pancakes’ Healthy Choices Musical Story called out to me in a way that some stories don’t. While some children’s books are meant to be read at night as a bedtime story, this book could also change the game for morning reading and is also suitable for a school environment. I think the idea of reading an impactful book like this in the morning, perhaps during breakfast, might encourage the entire family to talk about more difficult subjects like drugs, alcohol, and smoking. Much can be learned and encouraged in the home as well as in school. This is a fun and entertaining read for the whole family. It not only promotes the important message of saying no to dangerous habits but also includes a pledge to keep the young child on a healthy path into adulthood. There are additional activities for more entertainment at the end of the book.
Recommend this book:
Exostar
The Lost Space Treasure Series, Book 1
Rae Knightly

2023 Silver Medal
288 Pages
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Children - Fantasy/Sci-Fi

Exostar is the first book in The Lost Space Treasures Series by Rae Knightly. Trinket is a twelve-year-old android living a solitary life on the planet Kepra-2 after the death of the Old Scientist. Apart from her Mass Transfer Device, Empty, Trinket doesn't have anyone she can call a friend and is desperate to leave Kepra-2 before the ruthless Remnants send her to the scrap heap. But first, she must rescue a young boy from an orphanage. However, an unforeseen turn of events puts her at odds with the Remnants' Supreme Leader. After learning that she may hold the secrets to unlocking the Lost Treasure of the Keepers, Trinket inadvertently gets her hands on the most precious object in the known Universe, the Exostar. With the entire Remnant fleet on her trail, will Trinket find her way to freedom?
A swirling mix of suspense, mystery, and action makes Exostar an absolute page-turner of a novel. If you're a fan of sci-fi stories set in space, this one will be right up your alley. Rae Knightly has delivered a gripping first installment to what promises to be an epic space opera saga for kids and young adults alike. Apart from the fast-paced narrative and well-placed twists and turns of the plot, Knightly excels at crafting some compelling characters with whom you can identify. Trinket is someone you want to root for. I especially enjoyed her friendship with Empty as well as her dynamic with Woolver Talandrin. This is a gem of a book for sci-fi lovers.
Recommend this book:
One Giant Leap
Ben Gartner

2023 Gold Medal
235 Pages
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Children - Fantasy/Sci-Fi

It may not be the best time to go into space, but twelve-year-old Fin is one of four winners of the StellarKid Project that will take them on a trip to the International Space Station. He really wants to go, but his Mom is still in rehab, recovering from a near-death experience. Should he leave his parents and accept the trip into space? Will his Uncle Dennis stand in as his guardian? For Fin, this is a dream come true. But will the dream put him in danger in outer space? There is danger lurking and space junk causing havoc and putting everyone at risk. Fin’s opening line, “I’m pretty sure I’m about to die in space” may well be his last thought.
Ben Gartner’s middle-grade novel, One Giant Leap, is a grand adventure in outer space that will have young readers gripping their seats to the very end. The story is told in the first-person narrative from Fin’s point of view. The language is simple and applicable to the preteen age group. With a typical young boy’s sense of humor, readers will feel at home with a young protagonist who really isn’t much different than they are. The author has a strong command of descriptive narrative and really immerses readers in the setting and action. Dialogue is well used to ease the reading and make the story more realistic. The opening line really hooks the reader as they wonder how a young boy ended up floating in space, close to death. The space adventure itself is well-researched and the book ends with a fact versus fiction author’s note and a useful glossary of terms. A powerful, rollicking adventure for the young and the young at heart.
Recommend this book:
Marco Swift and the Mirror of Souls
A Middle-Grade Fantasy Adventure
D. E. Cunningham

2022 Finalist
278 Pages
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Children - Fantasy/Sci-Fi

Marco Swift and the Mirror of Souls is a work of fiction in the fantasy, action, and adventure subgenres. It is aimed at younger readers and was penned by author D.E. Cunningham. The book follows Marco as he is lured into a dangerous mission by an enchantress who offers to cure his declining mother if he agrees to venture to the World of Souls. On his journey he’ll realize that the secret life that his late father was leading could hold the information he needs to survive his quest, but will it be enough to rebuild the sword of light, save the World of Souls, and stop him from losing his mother too?
This was an excellent and fast-paced adventure for young readers, perfect for kids who have discovered the excitement of fantasy storytelling and are hungry for more. Author D. E. Cunningham’s ability to create such an engaging story with such important themes for young people – in particular the loss of a parent – is sublime, and this book is always willing to talk honestly about issues whilst never losing sight of the high fantasy adventure at its heart. Children will love the fantastic characters and creatures on display here, and the descriptive writing is a perfect example of creating beautiful prose at the middle-grade reading level. Macro Swift and the Mirror of Souls is a must-read for kids; it shares a fantastic story with wonderful themes and showcases some of the best elements of the genre for the next generation of fantasy readers.
Recommend this book:
Azalea Fern and the Last Ruin of the Extinct
Becci Murray

2022 Honorable Mention
235 Pages
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Children - Fantasy/Sci-Fi

The Homotium species live near the mechanicary house, the old and creepy place that caused the extinction of the Sapien people. Two Homotium people have already died because of that place. All Homotium fear going into it so as not to catch the sickness from the bones of the now extinct, but Azalea Fern and Oak-Lea Moss venture into it anyway. Azalea's foe, Bryony Vine, locks them inside the mechanicary house. Once Azalea and Oak-Lea escape, they think they have caught the sickness and will soon die. When only Oak-Lea gets sick, Azalea begins to unravel an ancient secret that threatens not only her but the future of the whole Homotium species. If you want to learn what has caused the extinction of the Sapiens and how they may still be a danger to the Homotium species, you should read Azalea Fern and the Last Ruin of the Extinct by Becci Murray.
There is much to commend in this book and I think it is worth reading simply for its originality. It's engrossing and engaging and destined to capture imaginations. The clear wake-up call about diversity, equality, and inclusion makes this book a standout. Azalea Fern and the Last Ruin of the Extinct by Becci Murray is riveting, brutal, and brilliantly told. This grittily provocative children's fantasy explores the true horror of damaging the environment and the importance of trust, equality, and unity in a community. All readers who sink into the pages of this enthralling middle-grade children's book will be rewarded. This book will surely keep readers thinking past the final page.
Recommend this book:
Eudora Space Kid
The Lobster Tale
David Horn

2022 Bronze Medal
75 Pages
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Children - Fantasy/Sci-Fi

Eudora Space Kid: The Lobster Tale by David Horn is the second book in this fun and amazing adventure series designed for early chapter book readers. An adopted child of benign aliens, Eudora is a human third-grader who lives on a 36-deck Astroliner named Athena where she has lived her whole life. Athena helps them explore the galaxy and defends the Planetary Republic from evil aliens. Eudora’s dad has a laboratory full of aquariums, including lobster tanks that are famous on the ship. The ship’s Chef Franklin has asked Eudora’s dad for some lobsters for the annual New Year’s Grand Dinner Buffet. Of course, this is met by a resounding no. But Chef Franklin is determined to find a way to get to those lobsters. On top of that, the Qlaxons, the Planetary Republic’s biggest and most evil enemy, are threatening to attack. Will Eudora and her best friend Arnold be able to save the lobsters and prevent the Qlaxons from launching an attack?
Eudora’s adventures bring a smile to a readers’ face. Every page is filled with hilarity and funny moments that your young reader will giggle at upon reading them. Children and adults can expect to join Eudora and her friends on an adventure that inspires. Moreover, Eudora Space Kid is an excellent teaching tool, especially these days when most children are schooled at home. It is ideal for engaging emergent and early chapter book readers as well as young ESL learners to hone their competencies in reading and comprehension. On top of that, David Horn has created a role model character in Eudora. This series teaches values of friendship, perseverance, family, and diversity. Space adventure complemented with clean humor makes Eudora Space kid a fun read that both children and parents can sit and read together.
Recommend this book:
The Namer of Spirits
Todd Mitchell

2022 Silver Medal
316 Pages
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Children - Fantasy/Sci-Fi

The Doa Fora people of the Cloud forest and the villagers of Last Hope got along until they didn’t. While the villagers encroached on the forest, the Doa Fora warriors fought back with poisoned arrows. But who could explain the monstrous Illwen? When the villagers captured a Doa Fora named Fen, twelve-year-old Ash, who had a gift for naming things, rescued him from death. She gained a friend in Fen but became a traitor among her people. Ash, Fen, and her tamed Illwen puppy journeyed into the Cloud forest to save her village from the constant war. She went through caves, waters, and spirits into places unknown to discover a long-hidden secret that could take her life. Can Ash save Last Hope and survive? Find out in The Namer of Spirits by Todd Mitchell.
The Namer of Spirits by Todd Mitchell is a fable appropriate and highly recommended for children between nine and fourteen years old. This moving yet wholesome story revolved around deforestation, magic, kindness, selflessness, and environmental consciousness. Todd used a relatable story and excellent character development to portray our roles as change agents, regardless of our sizes and status. Also, ruining nature harms us because we have a symbiotic relationship. Hence, we should educate people more about the impact of deforestation on the climate. The Namer of Spirits puts motives, actions, morality, and logic into perspective. Was there anything like good and evil captivity, considering Ash’s and Lord Ocra’s respective Illwen? Was it okay to ignore the greater good in favor of doing something right, like setting Fen free to the villagers’ potential detriment? This situation is where balance becomes a crucial lesson for children. I loved the simple language and writing style. Great job, Todd.
