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:
DOTTY and the Dream Catchers
The DOTTY Series, Book 3
Emma Warner-Reed
2018 Honorable Mention
265 Pages
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Children - Mystery
Dotty and the Dream Catchers is the third book in the Dotty series, written by Emma Warner-Reed. Eleven-year-old Dotty Parsons – a Guardian of the Sweeps – is finally beginning boarding school, but is hesitant to attend due to the horrific recurring dreams she has been having. The dream has her pursuing a young girl named Sarah into the forest each night, while being tailed by the evil Mordecai. When the boarding school temporarily closes, Dotty discovers a shocking secret of betrayal between the Vagabond King and Madam Orla, before reluctantly seeking out the assistance of Mordecai himself. That, and the fact that several girls have fallen into a coma while Dotty sleeps, makes solving this mystery a matter of urgency.
I have been quite looking forward to the new installment in the Dotty series for some time, and Emma Warner-Reed has certainly delivered on a wonderful, action-packed tale filled with fun, excitement, adventure and suspense. Great-Uncle Winchester, or Winnie, as Dotty affectionately calls him, is just as formidable (yet loving) in Dotty and the Dream Catchers, and seems to know when problems have befallen young Dotty. Pip makes a welcome return as well, as do the many other favorites which readers of the Dotty series have come to know and love. I very much enjoyed reading Dotty and the Dream Catchers and wholeheartedly recommend it to young readers aged 7-14 who are devoted fans of light-hearted humor, mystery and secrets that are veiled by magic.
Recommend this book:
The Mystery of Shadow Hills
Skylar Robbins Book 1
Carrie Cross
2018 Bronze Medal
260 Pages
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Children - Mystery
Don’t worry – Skylar Robbins is on the case in Skylar Robbins: The Mystery of Shadow Hills by Carrie Cross, Book 1 in this series. Skylar is a fairly typical 13-year-old who wants nothing more than to be a private detective. With her detective tools and the training she received from her late grandfather, Skylar is set to spend the summer with her obnoxious cousin while her parents are touring Europe. Living in a house that may be haunted, at the foot of the Shadow Hills in Malibu where a coven of witches is said to practice black magic, just may make up for having to deal with Gwendolyn. As the summer progresses, Skylar has made friends in her summer school art class, including Kat, a want-to-be white witch. Together, the girls try to grow gems, create a love potion, and figure out what the coven in the hills is doing.
Carrie Cross has captured the spirit of the title character beautifully. It is easy to relate to Skylar as she experiences hurt, annoyance, indecision and success like most girls her age, and there are lessons for readers hidden in her solutions to problems. Skylar is eager to please her new friend, Kat, but realizes that the friendship is rather one-sided. Skylar takes steps to stick up for herself and learns some valuable lessons from her interactions with all the people she encounters. By the time her parents return from their trip, Skylar has things pretty well figured out and is ready to embark on a new mystery as soon as she is home and the new Skylar Robbins Detective Agency starts advertising. Well written with non-stop action and plenty of twists and turns , Skylar Robbins: The Mystery of Shadow Hills is a great read for children and tweens, sure to capture their attention and inspire them to grow and explore. I'm certainly not a child, but I loved reading all about Skylar and following her adventures. Full of good lessons for children of all ages.
Recommend this book:
The Deadly Scarab
Crime Cats, Book 3
Wolfgang Parker
2018 Silver Medal
220 Pages
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Children - Mystery
The Deadly Scarab is the third book in the Crime Cats series, both written and illustrated by Wolfgang Parker. After a botched robbery by Corwin Bachert, Clintonville’s young resident superhero, Jonas Shurmann, suddenly finds himself in possession of a mysterious ring. Rumored to have once been worn by the boy king Tutankhamun, not only does the ring, which bears upon it the most unusual, animated and beautiful scarab, bring with it mysterious visions, but it also sends young Jonas’ mind into a tailspin as voices in Jonas’ head convince him that two new people in town are out to destroy him. With time definitely not on their side, Jonas’ best feline friends, Catbob and Neil Higgins, work furiously to try to bring their friend back to the safe side of reality, saving him from the darkness hidden within the ring. If they fail, they could lose their superhero friend to the darkness forever.
I have been a long-time fan of the Crime Cats series and was so excited to see a new book had been released. Wolfgang Parker’s remarkable tale of a young boy who has the ability to literally speak to and understand cats is the perfect recipe for many wondrous adventures. The curious robbery at the beginning of The Deadly Scarab set the perfect scene for introducing the mysterious ring. It was wonderful to see Jonas’ home and school life explored much more deeply than the previous books, and with Catbob and Neil Higgins coming to the rescue of our junior superhero, it made for quite a twist. Mayhem and mystery are jam-packed into the pages of The Deadly Scarab, and I could not sing the tale’s accolades loudly enough if I tried. I wholeheartedly recommend The Deadly Scarab, as well the first two books in the Crime Cats series, to all young readers aged 7-15 years who enjoy a great mystery entwined with a plot line filled with action, adventure, humor, friendship and, of course, a love of all things feline.
Recommend this book:
Don't Ever Look Behind Door 32
B.C.R. Fegan
2018 Gold Medal
36 Pages
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Children - Mystery
Mr Nicholas Noo is the host of the magical hotel of Hoo in the storybook Don’t Ever Look Behind Door 32 by B.C.R. Fegan. He takes his first guests to room no 1 and tells them that they will be happy there. He tells them that they can explore the hotel and do whatever they want, but not to look behind door 32. There are two grumpy clowns through door number 2 and they are helping to clean the grounds. The fidgety knights through door number 3 fix all the lights. The guests meet different characters as they go through the rooms. Finally they reach room 32 and the two guests want to know what is behind the door, yet at the same time are scared. What is behind door 32? Let us read the book and see if we can find out the mystery behind door 32.
I like the way the author builds up the suspense and intrigue and leaves young readers with a feeling of curiosity. There is a sense of eeriness as the story progresses, and the colorful and lively illustrations add to the scary feeling that lingers as the story unfolds. Children will love this story. The eeriness, suspense, and mystery will leave them feeling excited and they will enjoy discovering what is behind the door, along with the two guests. The ending is excellent and unexpected. It is a good bedtime storybook for parents to read out at night and can be used for read aloud and story telling sessions in classrooms and school libraries.
Recommend this book:
Sparkles
A Magical Story of Transformation
Michal Y. Noah
2017 Finalist
38 Pages
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Children - Mystery
Life for Sparkles had many stages as it does for everyone. Sparkles hatched from her egg as a caterpillar, ate leaves, built a cocoon, and then woke up from a deep sleep as a beautiful butterfly. Life didn’t begin the way Sparkles thought it should begin. You see, Sparkles wanted to be something better than a caterpillar, something more beautiful, more special. In the egg, Sparkles felt cramped and wanted to escape. As a caterpillar, Sparkles felt restricted in her ability to move freely. She wanted to fly high in the sky and see the world in all its splendor from above. When she emerged from her cocoon, she felt vibrant, beautiful, and capable of doing just about anything. There was a great sense of power in her new found sense of self esteem. And this colorfully illustrated picture book is Sparkles’ story, one that demonstrates the power of believing in oneself, the power of believing that everyone is special and beautiful.
In Sparkles: A Magical Story of Transformation, Michal Y. Noah and illustrator, Favreau, have given us a delightful and beautifully illustrated story about a little butterfly that has so much to teach all of us. Told in rhyme, the lessons Sparkles teaches us are important: primarily that there is the potential in all of us to be anything we want to be and much, much more. Like Sparkles, we all have the ability to be great, to be beautiful, to be special. As Sparkles concludes her story, she says, “Each one of us is special. Through my story, you now know there is magic within you, too. Just let your inner light glow.” Let the inner magic glow from within – this is a powerful message, not only for young readers, but also for people of all ages.
Recommend this book:
The Secret of Bald Rock Island
Kare Kids Adventures #1
Charles A Salter
2017 Honorable Mention
94 Pages
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Children - Mystery
The Secret of Bald Rock Island (Kare Kids Adventure #1) by Charles A. Salter is an exciting children's adventure about a young girl determined to solve the mystery of her father's disappearance. Ten-year-old Kelcie Oglethorpe has always been curious and ready for adventure. Mr. Bartelby, the town's well-known and much-loved writer, is always willing to tell the children a story. When Mr. Bartelby tells the children of a mysterious creature that inhabits Bald Rock, Kelcie decides that it is time to solve the peculiar puzzle concerning her father's disappearance and discover if Mr. Bartelby's extraordinary story holds truth. Doing some research, Kelcie finds little to help her solve her dad's disappearance until she reads an article written by Mr. Bartelby. As things start to come together in Kelcie's head, she realizes what she must do. Only, she has been warned that it could be too dangerous. Can Kelcie solve the mystery of the strange creature and find her father? Will her determination prove to be deadly?
The Secret of Bald Rock Island (Kare Kids Adventure #1) by Charles A. Salter is a children's mystery story taking place on a small Maine island. I enjoyed reading this story and, although it is short, it is well thought out. The characters are entertaining, and the storyline isn't overly complicated. With a good portion of the inhabitants being of Scottish descent, this book is also educational. I believe that this book is perfect for the child just beginning to read chapter books as it isn't too long, and contains easily understood concepts. It is a well-rounded mystery with intriguing characters and a fascinating monster. Being the first story in a series, it will be interesting to see what other mysteries happen on Bald Rock Island in the next story. I would recommend this book to children aged eight to ten.
Recommend this book:
The Pandora Device
Camp Hawthorne Volume 1
Joyce McPherson
2017 Bronze Medal
200 Pages
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Children - Mystery
The Pandora Device: Camp Hawthorne, Book One is a children’s science fiction story by Joyce McPherson. Sixth grader Stella Harski, who lives with her grandmother, gets the opportunity to go to Camp Hawthorne, the same camp her parents attended. She hopes to find information about them while there, but receives an anonymous note telling her not to do so. Camp Hawthorne accepts kids who are gifted with telepathy and other superpowers, but Stella doesn’t know if she has powers. When mysterious things occur and a historic site is vandalized, Stella and her camp-mates realize someone is searching for a specific item. Stella tries to heed the warnings of an old woman, but finds herself becoming more immersed in a mystery that merges the past and future together.
Joyce McPherson’s novel, The Pandora Device, is a fascinating story for children as well as adults. It is the first in the Camp Hawthorne series and is an engaging science fiction and adventure book. The plot is very interesting and educational because the author based it on famous authors: Nathaniel Hawthorne, Mark Twain, Henry Longfellow and Louisa May Alcott. She included verses from a couple of their books that are now on my reading list. I think the story is original and like the mind reading skills, visions and other skills the young campers possess. There is strong character development, good dialogue and continuous adventure. The Camp Hawthorne series has caught my attention and I’m sure readers will also like these lovely books from Joyce McPherson.
Recommend this book:
The Dusenbury Curse
Crime Cats, Volume 2
Wolfgang Parker
2017 Silver Medal
195 Pages
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Children - Mystery
The Dusenbury Curse is the second adventure book in the Crime Cats series, written and illustrated by Wolfgang Parker. Eight-year-old Jonas Shurmann has a special gift: he can converse with cats. As Orville Dusenbury agrees to board two superheroes, CatBob and Neil Higgins, at the Dusenbury Mansion, things start to go awry. Orville is not happy that he constantly has to clean up CatBob’s pee, but little does he realize that the feline is marking the Dusenbury Mansion to keep it safe from the evil forces at work in the form of the White Phantom and the Phoenix. When CatBob is found unconscious on the streets by Jonas, Jonas and Orville make their way to the old amusement park nearby, but what they find chills them to the very core.
Wolfgang Parker’s incredible tale of deceit, mystery and action is perfectly balanced in this second installment of the Crime Cats series. Each of the character plots is clearly set out, showing their relationship to all the others in the story. I could not help but chuckle each time new cats heard Jonas speak for the very first time, utterly shocked and in disbelief that any human could understand them, let alone be understood. The curse, which goes back over 100 years, is well-written and quite believable, not to mention hysterically funny in all the right places. As evidence of the curse unravels, the reader is also taken on an educated journey about felines, their behavior and beliefs, and how they interact with humans. Not only does The Dusenbury Curse deal with humor, love, hatred and superstitions, but it also teaches some valuable lessons about trust. I very much enjoyed Wolfgang Parker’s delightful tale, and recommend The Dusenbury Curse to readers aged 7-12 who enjoy their adventurous animal tales of mystery and intrigue with a side order of pure hilarity.
Recommend this book:
Missing
Crime Cats, Volume 1
Wolfgang Parker
2017 Gold Medal
175 Pages
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Children - Mystery
Missing is the first volume in the Crime Cats book series, written and illustrated by Wolfgang Parker. Young teen Jonas Shurmann works as a volunteer at his mother’s veterinary surgery. While he doesn’t mind helping out his mother, Jonas is certainly not a fan of cats. He believes cats are spoiled, treat humans abysmally, and have no manners. As he carries a feline patient into one of the consulting rooms, Jonas hears yelling. He pokes his head out and sees a man in the reception area, desperate to put a notice on their board regarding his newly missing cat. It isn’t until the notice is pinned to the board that Jonas realizes how many cats are actually missing, as the board is completely covered with notices from frantic owners. The following day, Jonas is bullied for a chicken costume his father had bought for him for the Halloween dress-up at school. During a scuffle on the way home, one of his school books is thrown into the yard of the neighborhood’s haunted mansion. As he tries to retrieve it, Jonas hears a voice nearby. When he looks up, Jonas is surprised to see the one-eyed cat, Neil Higgins, which he had been carrying to his mother’s consultation room the previous day. Neil tells Jonas to return at midnight and help investigate the feline disappearances, all of which point to the haunted house. When Jonas teams up with Neil Higgins and his investigative sidekick, CatBob, their investigations lead them directly to the haunted mansion, but nothing can possibly prepare them for the shocking secrets within.
Oddly enough, this book makes me nostalgic for my childhood, as the storyline is solid and it tells a great tale which holds the reader’s interest in its entirety. Wolfgang Parker’s tale of a bully victim who finds the superpower of being able to talk to and understand cats is unique, whilst being filled with both fun and drama. Jonas’ assumptions about cats are quite wrong, and he discovers how harrowing and endlessly dangerous life can be in a feline’s 'shoes.' While cats are not as strong as dogs, their agility enables them to escape danger by seeking out much higher ground. The lessons which Jonas learns from his feline friends enable him to safely rescue one particular cat which finds itself blinded after it is stuck with a bag on its head. Jonas’ determination to pursue the terrified animal as the bullies look on and laugh is fueled by his mysterious connection to his new found friends.
Missing is cleverly told, well thought out, and reminds me of the days of well-written children’s stories by Enid Blyton. I foresee Wolfgang Parker’s Crime Cats series being on home bookshelves for years to come, and feel that this book would be enjoyed by readers of all ages, as it contains all of the essential ingredients of an epic story: drama, despair, tragedy, humility, action, adventure, fun and a decent dose of aptly paced humor.