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:
Little Miss History Travels to Sequoia National Park
Barbara Ann Mojica

2017 Finalist
42 Pages
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Children - Non-Fiction

Little Miss History Travels to Sequoia National Park by Barbara Ann Mojica is an informative and interesting travel adventure story which will take readers along with Little Miss History to the Sequoia National Park. The book will show us the beauty of the Sequoia National Park and tell readers more about sequoia trees and how to differentiate between a redwood tree and a sequoia tree. Interesting facts are laid out in a manner that is understandable for kids and it is a great educational trip for young readers. Miss History's travel is highly exciting and she teaches children so many interesting facts through this story.
The book is educational and reads in a catchy way. The illustrations give movement and life to the book and explain the concept and educational value of the place clearly to children. It is an excellent reference book for children to know more about National Parks and sequoia trees. The book is highly useful for teachers, parents, and educators to use in classrooms and homes.
The author has covered diverse topics associated with the Sequoia National Park - the history that dates back to the Native Americans, trees, the Gold Rush, the different species of wild animals found there, air pollution, and the creation of the National Park. The book makes history lessons interesting for students and makes them more curious to learn about history and National Parks. It is indeed a delightful trip for any reader!
Recommend this book:
Duke n' Matt
Rescue Road Warriors
Rhonda Paglia

2017 Honorable Mention
40 Pages
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Children - Non-Fiction

Duke “n” Matt, Rescue Road Warriors is an educational book by Rhonda Paglia, aka “Grammy Pags.” Duke is a cute red beagle who was adopted by Matt Pi in 2009. They are now members of the Rescue Road Warriors. Their jobs include transporting dogs in the Beaglemobile from rescue mills to their new homes. The vehicle is called a Beaglemobile because it mostly carries beagles. Duke loves his job as he gets to travel across the country, uniting dogs with adoptive families. It is a big responsibility because some dogs are scared, abused, or shy. He tries to reassure them that they will be happy and safe since their owners were carefully selected for them. Duke and Matt also work with Club Pet Adoption, Open Arms Pound Rescue and Ontario Bloodhound Rescue.
I love the adorable photos of the dogs in Duke “n” Matt, Rescue Road Warriors. These were contributed by Matt, along with the content. Rhonda Paglia wrote this book in such a clever format that kids won’t notice it’s designed to teach them about dogs and the important jobs they can have. Duke has his Do’s and Don’ts rules on dog care, and there is a fun trivia quiz based on the story. If you’re interested in adopting a dog, kindly check the partial listing of animal shelters included in the book. You can also make a tax deductible contribution to the website. A portion of the books sales benefits Rescue Road Warriors. Children will enjoy this story.
Recommend this book:
Buddy Comes to Breakfast
Dee Emeigh

2017 Bronze Medal
34 Pages
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Children - Non-Fiction

Buddy Comes to Breakfast is a children’s nonfiction animal picture book written and illustrated by Dee Marvin Emeigh. The book also contains a number of Emeigh’s photographs. Buddy is a small desert tortoise who lives with the author’s friend, Amelie, in the desert. He lives in her garden which has been planted with flowers, herbs and other plants that are good for tortoises to eat. While Amelie gives him tortoise mix as well as broccoli and other greens, it’s good for him to forage for his own food. Buddy gets a lot of the fluids he needs through the flowers and succulents, such as aloe vera leaves, that he finds in the garden, but Amelie makes sure he has access to water as well. Desert tortoises grow very slowly, but they do get quite large. Buddy weighs about one pound when he is visiting with the author. In the winter, Buddy will go into his habitat for brumation, which is a form of hibernation for reptiles.
Dee Marvin Emeigh’s nonfiction educational picture book for children, Buddy Comes to Breakfast, shares the author’s experiences with a desert tortoise and his human companion. I was enchanted by the author’s marvelous watercolor paintings found on the cover and throughout this work. She fully captures the glowing colors and the other highlights of the desert through her skillful use of watercolor washes and line drawings. The care and proper feeding of desert tortoises is explained and illustrated clearly and fully, including checks for health issues. I finished the book knowing a lot more about these fascinating desert dwellers than I had before. Emeigh’s photographs are also outstanding, especially those of Buddy and the mountain ranges. She also includes a list of websites and organizations for those interested in learning more about desert tortoises, including how to adopt one yourself. Buddy Comes to Breakfast is a superior children’s nonfiction offering and it’s most highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
My Life at Sweetbrier
A Life Changed by Horses
Deanie Humphrys-Dunne

2017 Silver Medal
142 Pages
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Children - Non-Fiction

Perseverance. That’s what it takes. Facing all of life’s difficulties, all those hurdles thrown in our path, what we need is perseverance. We can’t give up. We have to dream, dream big, and reach for our dreams with a determination that nothing will stop us. Deanie was born premature and her development, particularly her ability to walk, was affected. She was a late walker, but she did walk, despite the fact that doctors had informed her parents that Deanie might never walk as she had cerebral palsy. Her parents knew all about perseverance and they never gave up on Deanie, and they never let her give up on herself. So, when Deanie started school and was tormented by the other girls because she couldn’t walk right, Deanie’s mother told her to tell the girls that it was okay, because she could ride horses. And ride horses she did. She even competed, winning multiple competitions on different horses.
This is Deanie’s story. My Life at Sweetbrier: A Life Changed by Horses is a motivating memoir by a remarkable horsewoman, Deanie Humphrys-Dunne. The memoir is written to inspire readers of all ages to work towards their goals, their dreams, and to never give up. Deanie and her parents never gave up. Even when she fell from her horse, or her leg was trampled by a frightened horse, Deanie always got back into the saddle again and again. Horses have a way of helping us overcome handicaps, disabilities. Horses don’t judge; they don’t tease or bully. For Deanie, the many horses in her life were her motivation. And being a Humphrys certainly helped, with the family motto: “The Humphrys don’t give up.” Deanie never did give up. A powerful message of compassion and determination.
Recommend this book:
If You Were Me and Lived in... the Ancient Mali Empire
An Introduction to Civilizations Throughout Time (Volume 5)
Carole P. Roman

2017 Gold Medal
78 Pages
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Children - Non-Fiction

Imagine living hundreds of years ago in the ancient African country of Mali. Imagine the clothes you’d wear, the house you’d live in, the family you’d have, the food you’d eat. Imagine being grown up at the age of twelve, and, if you were a girl, you’d be ready for marriage. Imagine seeing the king and listening to your grandfather recite some great stories about the Malian kings, their great military adventures, things that made the country great and prosperous.
Carole P. Roman presents a story in second person narrative, asking you to imagine that you are her, living in a time long ago and a place far away. If You Were Me and Lived In…. the Ancient Mali Empire is a very educational story that places the young reader in the footsteps of a young child, a girl child, hundreds of years ago. Accompanied by pastel colored illustrations which give the presentation a sense of character, the story progresses well with detailed descriptions of the life, the people and the culture of Mali somewhere around the time of the fourteenth century. The story and the illustrations present a town in Mali as it would appear today and as it would have appeared seven hundred years ago. The young reader learns a lot about Mali through this association with the main character, this little girl, who could be you. This is a well thought out presentation of geography and history, portrayed in a storytelling fashion that will appeal to young readers as well as educate them. Very well done.
Recommend this book:
The Tale of Tito's Tail
Wendy Butler

2016 Finalist
Kindle Edition
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Children - Non-Fiction

The Tale of Tito's Tail by Wendy Butler is the cute little story of Tito, the Italian mafioso mouse. He lives in a small community in Genoa, Italy. Their family is well known in the community and Tito shares his shoe box with his best friend and cousin, Ricardo. They have a band, Boom Rockers, which is famous in their community. As the story progresses, readers see Tito growing up and becoming mature, and taking up the job assigned to him by Uncle Guido. He trains to lead his village and provide for his fellow mice family. He handles his responsibilities well with the support of his friends, and also meets a lot of new people. The story conveys a good message where readers understand that every incident in life teaches something and can be converted to a good learning experience, depending on how one looks at it.
The message is uplifting and through Tito's story children will learn to look at the ups and downs in life with a different perspective. All the characters in the story are delightful and the colorful illustrations help to convey the concept nicely to readers. The pictures are eye-catching and will definitely appeal to children. The author's fluidity in writing and detailed narration not only gives the tale good pace and movement, but also makes the scenes come alive. The story starts with Tito and his easy going life and builds up slowly to where Tito becomes a responsible adult and handles his job with maturity and responsibility. A delightful story with a good message.
Recommend this book:
Ladybug Ladybug
Life Cycle Books
Cammie Ho

2016 Finalist
29 Pages
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Children - Non-Fiction

Ladybug Ladybug is an illustrated children’s book written by Cammie Ho. It depicts the life cycle of a ladybug, from egg, larva, grub, and its rapid growth as it feeds off the aphids that infest roses. As the ladybug grows, the patterns and markings on its back change with it in both shape and color. As the grub’s stomach becomes full and the ladybug reaches its optimum size, it pupates and changes once more, transforming and emerging as a beautifully speckled ladybug. As a grown ladybug, it not only feeds off aphids but also from pollen, helping nature’s blossoms grow and bloom. After finding a mate, the ladybug then lays a batch of eggs, thus beginning the life cycle of the next generation of ladybugs.
Cammie Ho’s beautifully illustrated book is a valuable resource, not only for children but for readers of all ages. The photographs throughout clearly display each stage of the ladybug’s metamorphosis and growth, showing not only how beautiful they are, but how essential they are to nature. Written in easy-to-understand English, any child will gain much delight from this tale and will have a better understanding of the ladybugs they see when they venture outdoors. Knowing that the ladybug will not hurt them, it will increase the child’s wonder and desire to watch them as they feed on aphids and nectar before flying away to find a mate and start their life cycles all over again. I very much enjoyed Ladybug Ladybug and recommend this book to all ages, especially those who are curious about nature’s smaller creatures.
Recommend this book:
Squash Boom Beet
An Alphabet for Healthy, Adventurous Eaters
Lisa Maxbauer Price

2016 Bronze Medal
56 Pages
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Children - Non-Fiction

There are twenty-six letters in the English alphabet and, believe it or not, these letters can and do create a colorful menagerie of healthy food that grows in our gardens or in a garden nearby. From A is for asparagus and artichoke to Z is for zucchini, the intriguing possibilities of healthy foods to eat can be an adventure worth exploring.
Author Lisa Maxbauer Price’s children’s alphabet book, Squash Boom Beet: An Alphabet for Healthy, Adventurous Eaters, presents a different, healthier perspective to learning the alphabet. Why not learn about healthy foods at the same time? The book ends with the author’s invitation to the young reader to add photographs or drawings of their own discoveries in the realm of healthy eating. The author introduces each new vegetable with a playful, whimsical description, so that even the least adventurous young reader will be tempted to try one or more of the alphabetical smorgasbord. There is much to choose, from flowering chives and fava beans to fairy tale eggplant and rocket lettuce and more.
Writing in rhyming verse, the author introduces each new vegetable with an interesting twist: “Dinosaur kale feels like an elephant's wrinkled skin. Watch leaves turn to liquid after a blender spin.” Or: “Leeks are onions with palm trees on top. On the bottom, find hairy roots like a mop.” The intent is to amuse and entertain and it does just that and more. Coupled with beautiful photograph collages, this book is both an educational and a nourishing treat, far more than just an alphabet and a lesson in healthy eating.
Recommend this book:
Have You Filled a Bucket Today?
A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids
Carol McCloud

2016 Gold Medal
32 Pages
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Children - Non-Fiction

Are you a bucket filler or a bucket dipper? Not sure what these are? Well, you see, everyone has an invisible bucket. When it’s full, the person is happy. When it’s empty, the person is sad. A bucket filler is someone who helps fill someone else’s bucket by saying or doing something nice. Like telling Mom or Dad that you love them or giving your teacher a 'thank you' note. A bucket dipper is someone who steals from someone else’s bucket by being mean to them, by bullying them. A bucket filler is a happy person, because when you fill someone else’s bucket, you also fill your own. A bucket dipper is very sad, because stealing from someone else’s bucket also empties your own.
Children are not the only ones that need to learn how to be truly happy. It’s all in the bucket, that invisible bucket that follows you everywhere. Carol McCloud has written a delightful story, colorfully illustrated by David Messing. Have You Filled A Bucket Today? A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids teaches young readers valuable lessons about giving, sharing, and caring. This guide to daily happiness, though, is not just for kids. We all need reminders of the benefits of positive thinking and positive behavior. It’s an important lesson to teach and remind us all, from time to time, that showing kindness and appreciation of others goes a long way to making this world a happier place for everyone, including ourselves. A classic tale, beautifully told and beautifully shared.
Recommend this book:
Bully Me?...No More!!!
Patrice Lee

2015 Finalist
120 Pages
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Children - Non-Fiction

Bully Me?...No More!!! by Patrice Lee is an informative book (told from a Christian perspective) regarding bullying. Lee starts the book by listing alarming bullying statistics, such as: “We are losing an average of 4,400 young people per year from the effects of bullying,” and “30% of all students are either bullies or victims of bullying.” Bullying is a serious offense and can affect all ages – from school-aged children to adults in the workplace. Lee goes on to define and list the characteristics of bullies, how victims can protect themselves and what parents can do to help. From reporting incidences of bullying, confronting (but not engaging) a bully, avoiding conflicts and increasing self-esteem, this book is thorough on how a victim can win the fight against the bully and rise above the conflict. There is even a chapter at the end written directly TO a bully, stating how the bully can shed this offensive title and move on in a more positive direction.
I enjoyed reading this book and believe it could be a valuable asset, not only to victims of bullying but also as a supplement in schools. It is important for children to be taught a zero-tolerance policy at a young age, so bullies and the effects of bullying do not transfer over into adulthood. Lee provides a clear and thorough explanation of what a bully is, how to stop them and how to “keep your chin up” and stay positive even when being harassed by a bully. Bully Me?...No More!!! by Patrice Lee is a beneficial and informative book for parents and children to read together. Great book! I enjoyed that it was told from a positive and Christian perspective.
