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 Princess, the Knight, and the Lost God
A Chess Story
Victoria Winifred

2023 Gold Medal
216 Pages
Check current price
Children - Mythology/Fairy Tale

The Princess, the Knight, and the Lost God is a children's fantasy novel by Victoria Winifred. On the day of her twelfth birthday, Princess Kassie is excited to go through her rites of passage for Goddesshood, just like her parents Mars and Caïssa, the gods of war and chess, respectively. But when Kassie's best friend and son of the gods of sports and victory goes missing, fingers are pointed at the kingdom of Chess Mountain. Kassie's parents send her through a portal to Earth to hide until the situation is solved. Stuck in an unfamiliar world with the knight Maurice and a copy of Notations of Passage, Kassie must now navigate school, teachers, friends, and bullies while keeping under the radar of the fallen Originals. In between, she will master the game she was born to play.
The Princess, the Knight, and the Lost God will entertain chess and fantasy fans alike while nurturing a love of chess among those who have never played it. Author Victoria Winifred tells a captivating fantasy adventure tale revolving around the game of chess featuring princesses, gods, and dragons that captures and holds your attention from the first page until the last. Imaginative and infused with action, humor, and mystery, the plot breezes past without a single hitch as you're turning the pages and wondering what will happen next. Kassie is a precocious child and someone you will find easy to relate to. Her kind and empathic nature make her riveting to read. This is a book that kids of all ages can enjoy. Highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
The School of Failure
A Story About Success
Rosie J. Pova

2023 Silver Medal
40 Pages
Check current price
Children - Mythology/Fairy Tale

In The School of Failure: A Story About Success by Rosie J. Pova, some of the fairy-tale characters in this account fail to measure up to expectations during auditions. Those that were not successful are taken to the School of Failure. While trying to figure out what they enjoy doing, they discover that they aren’t too good at some of the things they like. Someone writes a haiku that doesn’t quite fit into a magazine, and another makes cakes that turn out flat. With the Grand Ball coming up soon, will the students of the School of Failure figure out what they enjoy doing most, or will the entire event become a disaster?
The School Of Failure by Rosie J. Pova is a children’s fairy-tale that features characters like Zinderella, the Non-Evil Queen, and Wolfred, a wolf who doesn’t like to frighten anyone. I loved how the Headmaster of the School Of Failure encourages the students to explore their talents and practice the things they enjoy, even if they may not be successful at first. The illustrations by Monika Filipina are colorful and bright and will keep kids entertained as they follow the narrative. I love the messages about practicing, studying, and learning new skills woven throughout. I recommend this book to young children who love adventurous fairy-tales with an educational spin thrown in. The lesson about the significance of failure while cultivating new abilities is something any child can benefit from.
Recommend this book:
Linus the Troll
Rosie Talley

2023 Bronze Medal
35 Pages
Check current price
Children - Mythology/Fairy Tale

Linus the Troll is written by Rosie Talley. It is the story of a young troll, Linus, who is a study in contrasts. The most outstanding aspect of the story is the way that Linus’s physical features are contrasted with his personality. Readers soon discover that he’s not at all what they would expect based on his appearance. He has fangs and long green teeth. His skin is scaly and cold. But he is so much more than all of these features. The color of his eyes would be considered off-putting, but they are, by turns, full of laughter and caring and warmth. The author, Rosie Talley, has taken advantage of the opportunity to give us a character like this to illustrate how important it is to look past the surface and beyond appearance to see the true person behind the physical attributes. How easy it would be to hurt the feelings of someone like Linus were he judged only on the way he looks.
I personally think Linus would make a beautiful, comforting, and protective stuffed animal that children could snuggle with or carry around everywhere. His favorite music is played on an instrument that totally surprises the reader, as does one of his favorite hobbies. The end of the book also includes some fun activities. My compliments to the artist, Anna Benczedi. I liked Linus from the very first image of him. His coloring of green and purple and those wonderful peach-colored ears all work together to make him delightful looking and huggable. I encourage you to meet him and see how irresistible he is. Thank you, Rosie, for your story.
Recommend this book:
Fred Does it His Way!
Shari Lillico

2023 Honorable Mention
Kindle Edition
Check current price
Children - Mythology/Fairy Tale

Fred Does it His Way! by Shari Lillico tells us about a young dragon named Fred. While all his friends have magical abilities and are keen on the games they play, Fred is not that gifted, or so he thinks. Fred cannot fly or play hide-and-seek skillfully. Fred feels lonely, and he is always very sad. Then he finds a racetrack with other dragons competing in running. At first, he only watches the competition, but something ignites within him. Fred wants to run. He wants to participate in the competition and even dreams of winning it one day! Will Fred be able to believe in himself and fight for his dream and will he ever discover magical powers within himself?
I believe that Fred Does it His Way! is a necessary read for any kid who feels insecure or lacks confidence. I agree with Shari Lillico that adults would enjoy this amazing story too. Those of us who remember the awkward moments of our childhood or even suffer deep down because of them would find this book inspiring. Shari encourages children to go after their dreams, despite possible failure, and shows them the way. Fred's story is captivating and offers an unexpected twist at the end. Writing of the highest quality will hold 2 to 7-year-old children's attention easily. I highly appreciated the stellar editorial work. The wonderful illustrations by the gifted Chloe Helms make Fred's image, and the other characters, lovable.
Recommend this book:
Haunted
The Cursed Lake
Mahtab Narsimhan

2023 Finalist
148 Pages
Check current price
Children - Mythology/Fairy Tale

Haunted: The Cursed Lake by Mahtab Narsimhan is the second book in the Eerie Tales from the East series. Camp Sunny Acres was abandoned after a tragedy that drove the first owners away. Now Jonah and his mother are working to bring new life to the camp by re-opening it. That's easier said than done when one of the campers is a spoiled rich kid whose father wants him to appreciate the great outdoors and it's up to Jonah to ensure that he follows the rules. Adding to Jonah's problems, he sees a mysterious oily patch on the lake and a phantom voice calling his name. He shrugs off the ominous feeling until a ghost emerges during a storm and takes Jonah's mother. Jonah must figure out how to fight the ghost and save his mother before it's too late while still keeping the camp going.
The setting has a classic horror backdrop with a summer camp that creates an ideal location for this ghost story to unfold. The tone Mahtab Narsimhan creates is the expectation that this summer will be better. Narsimhan weaves an unusual tale in that on the surface there is an ominous haunted camp, but underneath is an origin story that is emotional and will capture the heart. The lake is the focal point of this ghostly story with a beautiful surface described as a gigantic mirror that takes on a darker presence following a storm. Narsimhan incorporates various themes into the tale, such as the value of friendship and the importance of family. Through the character of Dexter, the story explores the important role of friendship and kindness which helps a spoiled child to change his behavior. A fast-paced ghost adventure, Haunted is a great spooky read for all ages with a plot reminiscent of classic children's horror stories and emotional themes regarding friendship and family.
Recommend this book:
Do Not Wish for a Birthday Unicorn!
A silly story about teamwork, empathy, compassion, and kindness
Sarina Siebenaler

2022 Gold Medal
40 Pages
Check current price
Children - Mythology/Fairy Tale

Do Not Wish for a Birthday Unicorn!, written by Sarina Siebenaler and illustrated by Gabby Correia, is a children's picture book that revolves around a young girl named Kat who is about to celebrate her birthday. Her invitations make it clear that this one is going to be extra special, thanks to a rent-a-unicorn style service. Her family was even able to secure a sizeable discount and everyone is extremely excited. That is until the unicorn arrives, sad and dishevelled, with a note stating that her name is Starlight and the sparkle-wash wasn't working so she didn't get her party-prep pampering. Kat decides that Starlight shouldn't be deprived of some shimmer and shine, and she and her party friends help Starlight get her glam on.
Sarina Siebenaler has written a wonderful heartwarming story on thoughtfulness, kindness, and caring with Do Not Wish for a Birthday Unicorn! The little plot surprised me, which is not something that happens frequently in the world of children's literature. A parent can usually see what is coming around the bend but Siebenaler kept me guessing right along with my youngest little reader, who was completely enthralled. Illustrator Gabby Correia breathes life into each page with whimsical depictions that pass the smile from the faces of her characters on to those of the children who trace fingers along her artistry. Primary and jewel-toned colors and a lyrical, sing-song narrative make for the perfect bedtime story and prove that Siebenaler and Correia make a kid-lit dream team. Very highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
The Wishner's Curse
Wishner Prophecy
Camille S. Campbell

2022 Silver Medal
116 Pages
Check current price
Children - Mythology/Fairy Tale

The Wishner's Curse (Wishner Prophecy) by Camille S. Campbell is an intriguing fairytale for children. The story follows a young girl named Janet, who discovers that magic is real, and not only that, she has powers too! The storyline is based on Janet flying over to Egypt to see her archaeologist grandfather, John Lester. On the trip, Janet meets an interesting boy, Ero, who has the extraordinary ability to read minds! At first, the two bump heads and don't get along, especially after Ero steals from Janet, but all isn't what it seems and the two of them come together to fight evil. Dive into The Wishner's Curse to find out what happens to Janet and Ero on their magical journey. You won't be disappointed!
The Wishner's Curse (Wishner Prophecy) had me hooked from the very first page. The front cover screams magic and it attracted my attention immediately. From reading it, I could tell how much time and effort had been put into the story and it left me feeling amazed that someone so young had written something so professional. Camille S. Campbell is extremely talented and has a vivid imagination. I can't wait for the next book so I can follow more of Janet and Ero's journey. There's so much more to be discovered and I'm eager to be one of the lucky people reading it! Keep up the great work, Camille; you've created a page-turning book that children will love!
Recommend this book:
Passamaquoddy Legends Puzzle Book Vol 1
Crosswords, Cryptograms, Fill-in-the-blanks, Mazes, Sudoku, Word Searches & more
Michael Cook

2022 Bronze Medal
101 Pages
Check current price
Children - Mythology/Fairy Tale

It is enchanting and beautiful to learn about other cultures, languages, and what makes them unique. Your child will discover and become knowledgeable about the Passamaquoddy Indians who were one of the first Native American tribes that lived along the Maine coast and interacted with Europeans. In Passamaquoddy Legends Puzzle Book Vol 1: Crosswords, Cryptograms, Fill-in-the-blanks, Mazes, Sudoku, Word Searches, and more by Michael Cook, there are so many wonders to explore and experience while working through the book. Join me as we travel through the maze with Mooin the Bear, play tic-tac-toe with Kwah-Beet the Beaver and a few of your friends, or challenge your mind by solving some of the puzzles, word search, or a few of the cryptograms. This book features so many activities that are associated with words unique to the Passamaquoddy culture.
As I navigated through Passamaquoddy Legends Puzzle Book Vol 1 by Michael Cook, I was excited not only to test my intellectual skills and abilities but to learn about this awesome culture. I've known about other tribes from the Cherokee and Seminole to the Choctaw but the Passamaquoddy were a tribe that I was not familiar with until now. This book prompted me to learn more about the tribe. Their language of origin is Algonquin in which they speak Passamaquoddy-Maliseet. Over a period of time, they began to reduce in size almost to the point of extinction but now they're growing and are working toward improving their lives and culture. I'm happy that Michael decided to write this book and introduce the world to the Passamaquoddy people. Highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
The Samurai's Gift
Kristi Shimada

2022 Honorable Mention
39 Pages
Check current price
Children - Mythology/Fairy Tale

The Samurai's Gift by Kristi Shimada is part fable and part self-help book for kids. Yoshi is a young Japanese boy who is suffering from asthma and the flu. His father is reading him his favorite book about samurai warriors until finally, Yoshi falls asleep, exhausted. The warrior in Yoshi's book, Takeshi, comes alive in his dreams and explains how he can heal himself. Takeshi leads him to a special place full of healing. He gifts him a silver samurai sword that has unique powers. Yoshi meets his anger in the form of a red dragon and, with Takeshi's help, learns how he can tame the dragon. Yoshi learns that he can choose how he responds to his feelings.
The Samurai's Gift shows kids that our minds have a lot of control over our bodies. The message is woven seamlessly into an engaging and exciting story that kids will enjoy. The colorful and vibrant anime-like illustrations by Eko Setiawan will intrigue and delight readers. Shimada also includes several interesting tidbits about Japanese culture, from descriptions of Yoshi and his family's clothing to the rice soup that his mother makes for him. The story flows smoothly between Yoshi's real life and his dreams. I enjoyed that Yoshi is in control when he confronts his dragon, but Takeshi is there as a supportive figure. The Samurai's Gift is a great story. It will be especially entertaining to those who love anime and Japanese culture. The Samurai's Gift is an empowering book for all.
Recommend this book:
Davy's Dragon Castle
Mary & Michael Schmidt

2022 Finalist
33 Pages
Check current price
Children - Mythology/Fairy Tale

Imagine a magical castle ruled by a very special dragon. Davy is that special dragon and his heart is bigger than the castle. Davy believes in sharing with everyone, no matter what their skin or fur color is, no matter where they live, or how rich or poor they are, and certainly no matter what physical and psychological differences they might have. Everyone is equal to Davy and every year when he plans his special Christmas party for the people of Dragon Town, the party is meant for everyone. As he tells one of the fairies who tries to turn away the BunBun Rabbit family, “Anyone who finds my castle is welcome.” This is the way God wants us to live and it’s the way Davy wants to live, too.
Mary and Michael Schmidt’s picture book story, Davy’s Dragon Castle, is a sweet story about caring, learning about our differences, and accepting everyone in honor of their unique differences. The story is told in simple language so young readers can follow along. The bright, bold, colorful illustrations are spectacular and certainly help move the story along. The font appears in multiple colors depending on the page so it stands out, but also to point out that different colors don’t change the depth of the meaning of the words, just like different colors don’t change people. The story is full of fun and excitement leading up to Davy’s big Christmas party and the authors continually stress the importance of everyone being included. A simple story with a powerful message, beautifully told.
