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:
What's So Special About Today?
(Mom's Choice Award Recipient)
Kelsey Clark

2020 Gold Medal
32 Pages
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Children - Religious Theme

It is a new day and a brother and sister remember what their mother has told them, that every day is special because it is another day of life. His mom reminds him to be mindful of his manners when she leaves him at school and asks him to listen and mind the teacher's rules. The little boy asks his mom what is the special part of her day and she tells him that it is the time she spends with them. She tells him every day is a new opportunity to experience the joy of the heart, fill the mind with wonders, and finish what is started. She also tells them that their life is a blessing. God holds their hands when they are hurt, and he asks them to be patient, kind, forgiving, thankful, and true. Will the boy ever learn what is so special about today and every day?
What's So Special About Today? by Kelsey Clark is an uplifting and motivating story that will take young readers closer to God and will encourage them to be grateful for whatever they have in life. Ashley Belote's charming pictures make the concept palpable to readers and will help them understand the author's words easily. The story is written in verse and has a good pace and rhythm that makes it lyrical and entertaining. The author tackles the boy's curious questions with expertise and teaches children about sibling care, love, and kindness in a wonderful way. What's So Special About Today? by Kelsey Clark is the perfect book for tutors and parents to use for storytelling and can be used in Bible classes too for children to appreciate what they have and realize that every day holds something good for them. The book is useful to teach children good values and life lessons that will benefit them.
Recommend this book:
The Incredible Adventures of Absolutely Normal
Amanda Rotach Lamkin

2020 Silver Medal
177 Pages
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Children - Religious Theme

The Incredible Adventures of Absolutely Normal is a work of fiction for children in the adventure genre and was penned by author Amanda Rotach Lamkin. Despite what the title suggests, this quirky and intelligent book follows the exploits of lead character Albert, who begins the story very much in the shadow of his brave and charismatic cousin Samuel. But when Albert is delivered to another world entirely, he has to discover what he’s really made of beyond his seeming normality. What results is a charming and empowering story about the makings of a hero and the voyage of self-discovery for young people when life puts them to the test.
Poignant and positive, but also laced with heartache, reality, and struggle, this is a book that children who feel like a bit of an underdog are sure to treasure and get inspired by every time they pick it up. The intended reading age of 7 to 12-year-olds will find that they can escape into this highly accessible book independently, or indeed discuss and explore the novel with friends and family. The chapter book formatting is gorgeous and well spread out to make this feel like a classic adventure novel, and there are varied modern themes and different personality types for Albert (and us readers) to discover, empathize with and fall for time and again. Overall, The Incredible Adventures of Absolutely Normal presents a lavishly descriptive and inspiring story from talented storyteller Amanda Rotach Lamkin, and it’s a tale not to be missed.
Recommend this book:
The Paradise Man according to Thomas Merton
Linhxuan Vu

2020 Bronze Medal
194 Pages
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Children - Religious Theme

The Paradise Man According to Thomas Merton is a short work of religious discussion aimed at readers of all ages and was penned by author Linhxuan Vu. Taking the original concept of the biblical Garden of Eden, and the suffering of humanity since its leaving the garden, Vu re-explains the garden as a metaphor in modern life for the paradise we all seek inside ourselves. Written in part as a self-help guide through discovering one’s own faith in the Christian God, this work explains Thomas Merton’s philosophy of achieving paradise whilst living, but cutting away earthly ego-driven desires and opening ourselves to the goodness of God.
Written for readers in all walks of life, whether they are devout in their daily practices or not, author Linhxuan Vu approaches God from both a philosophical and devout lens, using the real-world realistic principles of Thomas Merton as a guide. The work is well organized with quotations to support the arguments of Merton and the explanations given by Vu, strengthening the concept with every passing chapter. The tone is both instructional and inspirational, attempting to evoke a sense that paradise is indeed a real feeling which can be achieved by living humans, through the toil of creating an ‘attitude of the heart’ and accepting God’s love into their lives. Overall, The Paradise Man According to Thomas Merton presents an intelligent meshing of modern and traditional takes on Christian devotion and belief, and would certainly be a useful read to anyone seeking comfort and the need to fill the emptiness in their lives.
Recommend this book:
Mystery In Bethlehem
Susanne Blumer

2020 Honorable Mention
104 Pages
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Children - Religious Theme

It is the first day of the summer vacation and twins Chip and Caroline run to the church playground. Chip is missing their parents but happy to be at Palmetto Island with their grandparents. At the playground, they meet Billy and they spend some time chatting. Billy tells them they can see the whole island if they go up to the bell tower. Once they reach the bell tower, Chip pulls the rope hard and the large bronze bell goes BONG, BONG, BONG. The story takes a new turn after that. Instead of the playground, the children find themselves back in time in Bethlehem. They decide to explore the town and they remember that they had learned about Jesus' birth in Sunday School. They are excited because they are in the Christmas story from the Bible, which is one of the most wonderful stories in the whole world. Let's read on, not only to discover if Billy, Chip, and Caroline make it back to Palmetto Island but also to learn the real story of Christmas.
Mystery In Bethlehem by Cole Blumer and Susanne Blumer beautifully captures the essence and story of Christmas in a very unique and interesting way that will pull readers into the story. The black and white sketches are wonderful and bring the characters and the story alive. This book is the best way to tell children the story of Christmas without making them bored, and it can also be used in Bible classes and school classrooms, especially during the Christmas season. It is a good book to give as a Christmas gift for children. I like the author's idea of weaving adventure and a real story together and making it entertaining for children, telling them stories from the Bible in an engaging way.
Recommend this book:
Why Isn't God a Girl?
A Young Girl's Journey to See the Image of God in Herself
Diana L Wilcox

2020 Honorable Mention
Kindle Edition
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Children - Religious Theme

Why Isn’t God A Girl? A Young Girl’s Journey to See the Image of God in Herself is a work of helpful and thoughtful fiction written for children by author Diana L. Wilcox and illustrated by Viktoria Skakandi and Earth22 Studio. As the title suggests, this interactive and thought-provoking picture book focuses on the vision that young Sophy has of herself, for when she is raised as a Christian she is told that she was made in the image of God, who is described as male. What results is a fascinating journey into self-image, gender, faith and diversity that is both refreshing and insightful for parents and children alike.
Highly readable and accessible for children of all ages, this is a truly empowering work that arrives at just the right time for the big movement forward in women’s rights and their growing presence in the world. Author Diana L. Wilcox provides an eye-opening alternative viewpoint to the patriarchal views of the original Bible and the images and language which surround it, viewing God as a female and giving voice and faith to the girls who wish to seek it. The beautiful illustrations by Viktoria Skakandi and Earth22 Studio add an additional layer of accessibility to the text, making Sophy an endearing figure to whom any girl can relate and discover with on her journey. Overall, Why Isn’t God A Girl? is sure to prove an essential component for any girl’s bookshelf, but also an eye-opening read for boys and parents alike.
Recommend this book:
Angel on Assignment
An Angelic Tradition
Wanda Carter Roush

2019 Gold Medal
40 Pages
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Children - Religious Theme

Angel on Assignment: An Angelic Tradition by Wanda Carter Roush is an enchanting book and a great way to introduce children to angels. The book begins with a Heavenly Messenger coming down from the sky and telling Mary about a wonderful surprise. They send a message to Joseph too and tell him what to do in his dream. The angels foretell the birth of Jesus and they are there when the greatest gift to mankind is born. Angels are created by God and they are more than mysteries from the past. They have missions and jobs to do and are sent by God. They guard and protect everyone and they always appear during times of need. Angels are on assignment everywhere and will appear with the help of a small prayer.
The story is beautiful and it will encourage child readers to help people in need by saying a kind word or doing a good deed. The pictures are adorable and I am sure readers will enjoy the activities at the end of the book. These are fun and interactive and make this book perfect to use in art and crafts activities in classrooms and school libraries. Children will have fun making paper angels and coloring them, and these activities will take them closer to understanding angels. It is a good storybook for parents and tutors to help children understand about angels and about God's love through the presence of angels. This book will help children think about angels in a different way and it is a perfect bedtime storybook for youngsters. There is a lot of information about angels and it is a great way to show children that angels are real and they are around us.
Recommend this book:
Reece's Vintage Tales
N. Reece Ho-Sheffield

2019 Silver Medal
96 Pages
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Children - Religious Theme

N. Reece Ho-Sheffield’s collection of children stories, Reece's Vintage Tales, carries inspiring lessons for any reader. The stories feature colorful characters, fascinating scenes, and powerful insights. In the story, “The Prince of Vanity,” a pompous and vain prince is eventually humbled when he realizes his looks and talents alone will not get him the lady of his dreams. Another delightful story is loosely based on the tale, Little Red Riding Hood. “Little Green Riding Hood and the Vegetarian Wolf” veers off from the original story through the addition of some modern touches and a few surprising twists. Each tale has a unique story to tell. Though some are familiar, N. Reece Ho-Sheffield still manages to surprise by applying creativity.
Most of the stories in Reece's Vintage Tales by N. Reece Ho-Sheffield offer hope to anyone who feels that they are not good enough or have been the object of scorn and ridicule. The tales also warn against pride, materialism, and vanity. The characters are captivating in their diversity and differences in points of view. In some stories, characters are human while in others they are animals. The stories are comical and this is accentuated by the deftly created illustrations which add color and depth to the tales. The combination of modern and traditional elements as well as the inclusion of different genres such as science fiction, suspense, and the inspirational genre makes the collection diverse and hence even more engaging. Reece's Vintage Tales by N. Reece Ho-Sheffield is a delightful and heart-warming collection for children and adults alike.
Recommend this book:
Surprise, I Have 3 Eyes!
A children's book about awakening inner vision
Jenine Lori

2019 Bronze Medal
34 Pages
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Children - Religious Theme

Surprise, I Have 3 Eyes! by Jenine Lori is an enchanting story about Joey who would go out to play and come back home to speak about his journeys away. His friends had beautiful wings like the colors of May and some of them were fabulous creatures with big eyes and some had big warts. His friends were all different shapes and sizes and they would dance in parades, bounce, and fly. Though his friends had hidden places where they would stay, Joey always knew where to find them. He could always play with them, even when he was sick. None of his friends believed him and he could not understand why he was the only one who could see these creatures.
The story introduces young readers to the concept of the third eye and how to look at things differently. It makes them more creative and imaginative and the rhyming verses are fun and lyrical to read. The illustrations are magical and they enhance the whimsical part of the story beautifully. The aesthetic presentation and the beautiful message make this book a must-read and a must-have at home and school. The story is about being different, imagination and acceptance, and this visual treat will help readers of all age groups understand the concept of the third eye and the way they perceive everything. The topic is unique and fresh and the author tackles it in a very creative way, making the subject fascinating to readers. The presentation is as magical and enthralling as the illustrations and words.
Recommend this book:
Happy Tears & Rainbow Babies
Natasha Carlow

2019 Finalist
32 Pages
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Children - Religious Theme

Happy Tears & Rainbow Babies by Natasha Melissa Carlow is a heartwarming story in which young readers learn about rainbow babies and happy tears along with Rosie and Capi. The story tackles the subject of loss, pain, and miscarriage. Mommy and Daddy take Rosie and Capi for a walk and they soon reach their favorite pond. Mommy sets down the blanket and suddenly Rosie spots a rainbow. Mommy and Daddy look at the rainbow and smile at each other. A tiny tear rolls down Mommy's cheek. Daddy tells them that when there is a lot of happiness inside it can spill out as tears. Rosie is curious to know why they love rainbows so much. How do Mommy and Daddy explain to Rosie and Capi about the symbolism of rainbows?
The story is beautiful and the author approaches a difficult topic with finesse and elegance. The illustrations by Keevyn Mohammed and Kyle Stephen are bright and as colorful as the rainbow and its beauty. It is informative for readers to learn about the symbolism of the rainbow and what it represents. The book also captures family bonding along with how to bring up the topic of miscarriage and saying goodbye to babies before they are born. It is a good story for all parents and children, and the author's perception of the spiritual beliefs that exist in families has been knitted into it deftly. This is not a topic that is usually spoken about in children's books and that makes the story unique and fresh.
Recommend this book:
Saint Tamika and Josh: My Journey Home
Bidenia Hudson

2018 Honorable Mention
24 Pages
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Children - Religious Theme

Saint Tamika and Josh: My Journey Home features Saint Tamika and Josh in a short story of life after death, which comforts and convinces us that there is nothing to fear. The series of books was created with children in mind, but parents will find them interesting, too. Author Bidenia Hudson describes the journey after death, reassuring us that there is room for everyone in the vast, well-lit God’s Holy City. Her inspiring words are comforting, descriptive, and provide consolation to those who may be experiencing a loss or people who just want to know more of life beyond. Saint Tamika and Josh: My Journey Home provides a deeper understanding and thought-provoking perspectives that many will find interesting. What do you think you will experience? I think the only thing I will take on my next journey are the memories of the wonderful people I have met, the exciting adventures I have had, and the many blessings I have felt.
Saint Tamika and Josh: My Journey Home may be especially helpful after losing a family member or pet to help children and their parents understand the journey beyond their earthly existence. Author Bidenia Hudson paints a beautiful picture with words and provides comforting thoughts about the continuing journey. Children and their parents may choose to read this book together and to share their thoughts on the topic. This book is a thought-provoking interpretation that will introduce discussion and opinions amongst family members and friends. But, it’s not just for children; adults too will find the book interesting and intriguing. Visual branding specialist Lauren Varlack provides pencil crayon illustrations to help visualize the story. What is your interpretation?
