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:
Burp Gun Bandit
The Dudley Files Book 2
Cary Robinson
2014 Honorable Mention
240 Pages
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Fiction - Animals
In Burp Gun Bandit by Cary Robinson, Carlos, or Careless as he was known to everyone, was a man on a mission. He left home in Houston, Texas, and flew to Mexico to chase after a girl, Maria, that he had only met once and whose address he did not have. He did find Maria but the two months it took him to find her were enough for her to fall in love and get married to someone else. He returns home and now hopes that he has a chance with E.D. but, as always, it does not pan out. Careless goes back to his life of working at the family steel business and taking on odd investigations. He then lands what would turn out to be the best job of his career as an investigator - helping a family solve the mystery surrounding the estate of their recently deceased grandfather, Colonel Albert Swift of the 90th Infantry Division, World War II.
Burp Gun Bandit by Cary Robinson is a captivating story recounting the life of a man who, by any account, lives a rather peculiar lifestyle; the type of man who jumps onto a plane to chase after a girl he does not really know and has a dog for a best friend. He always takes on weird investigation cases and he uses his equally odd friends, including his best friend, the dog, to help him solve the best mystery of his career. Cary Robinson filled the novel with surprises, intrigue, drama, and humor to create a fast-paced page-turner. I enjoyed reading every page and did not want to put it down until the last one.
Recommend this book:
The Sword of Demelza
J.E. Rogers
2014 Bronze Medal
339 Pages
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Fiction - Animals
The Sword of Demelza by J.E. Rogers is a fantasy adventure that is geared towards preteen and young adult readers, but should have many adult fans as well. The author set her fantasy in Australia, and the heroes and villains in the tale are native Australian animals. Devon is a young fox who was orphaned at an early age and raised by Bede, a Bilby monk. When dragon lizards attack the monastery where they live and kill Bede, Devon swears that he will avenge the killing. On his travels, he meets Erik and Emma, two young Kowaris who are gathering the herbs and flowers needed to help their mother survive the venom of the brown snake that bit her. Devon continues on his quest, leaving the two Kowaris, who then meet Slade and Stokely, young Echidnas, whose village was also assaulted by the king's dragon lizards. They are following the lizards to try to rescue two young Puggles, baby Echidnas, who're being taken to the castle's dungeons. Erik and Emma must decide if they should help them rescue the young Puggles, which means a delay in getting the medicine back to their mother.
J.E. Rogers' The Sword of Demelza is high epic fantasy, complete with swords and sorcery and lots of adventure. It's also a great way to learn about the animals and their environments in Australia. The illustrations by Guy Atherfold and William Hulbert make Devon, Erik, and Emma, and the rest of the questers and villains come alive. While the author geared The Sword of Demelza toward a young adult and preteen audience, I found myself every bit as enthralled and entertained as I would be with a first-rate fantasy geared towards adult readers. I hope there'll be a sequel as the characters brought to life in The Sword of Demelza are well worth following in their future adventures. The Sword of Demelza is great fantasy, and I highly recommend it.
Recommend this book:
An Animal Life
The Beginning
Howard Nelson Krum, Roy PE Yanong
2014 Silver Medal
314 Pages
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Fiction - Animals
An Animal Life: The Beginning is a fabulous story from Howard Nelson Krum and Roy PE Yanong. Veterinary School: no matter where you go, getting into this level of veterinary medicine is basically Harvard for animal lovers. What do you get when you mix a horse racer, a pageant queen, and a K-9 cop? An amazing and funny read! The first years of the Death Row Crew are interesting, to say the least. But this enthralling story goes even deeper than a funny take on vet school. There are moments of pain, of deep thought and learning, as well as a few romantic pairings that will definitely have you scratching your head.
This is a very realistic and funny story. I had roommates in college who studied veterinary medicine, and while I was reading it was almost like I was back in my dorm room listening to them tell me stories about their day. Krum and Yanong really captured the light-hearted humor that they were going for. On one hand, the story is quite funny; on the other it's a really accurate portrayal of one of the best feelings in the world - when you close a book, and have a warm happy glow because the book brought you such joy. An Animal Life: The Beginning really is that book. It's a great read for vets and vets in training, as well as anyone who loves animals, people, and the crazy glue that holds us all together.
Recommend this book:
Rescue Me, Maybe
Jackie Bouchard
2014 Gold Medal
326 Pages
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Fiction - Animals
Rescue Me, Maybe by Jackie Bouchard addresses love and loss as well as how to move on. Cancer claims Jane’s husband Ryan and her dog Barnum within the first chapter. Jane is sorry her husband died, but she is devastated over the loss of her dog. Unbeknownst to anyone but Jane, she and Ryan were going through a rough patch in their relationship before his diagnosis, one that both of them believed would end in separation. She felt guilty playing the grieving widow, yet could find no easy way to tell his overbearing mother or his father that she no longer loved their son. Soon after the funeral, she heads to San Diego via Prescott, AZ. Jane wants to go straight to California to start her new life with old friends she and Ryan had left there when they moved to Pennsylvania so Ryan could work with his father. Her aunt and uncle run a quaint but shabby B&B in Prescott and they need Jane to come and help run it while her aunt travels east for medical treatment. Reluctantly she agrees, denying her own desire to start afresh by the ocean. On her way, she finds a stray dog that might help her fall in love again if she will listen to her heart.
Jackie Bouchard grabbed me by the heart and did not let go until the last pages of Rescue Me, Maybe. She expertly taught Jane a lesson without preaching and along the way taught me to take a closer look at living like a dog – in the moment. This is a novel about love and loss and change. Parts of it are sad, yet there is a witty, sharp humor laced throughout which helps put Jane’s life back together. The characters were easy to love and some of them were easy to hate. Bouchard gently wraps the message to bloom where you are planted in this novel. She also lets the reader know that your garden just might be in a different spot than you originally thought it should be, but that does not mean you need to move it. I loved this novel, and recommend it for adults, YA readers and feel that dog lovers will really connect with the plot.
Recommend this book:
Rim-Fyre and the Stones of Time
Mitzy Tait-Zeller
2013 Bronze Medal
244 Pages
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Fiction - Animals
Rim-Fyre and the Stones of Time by Mitzy Tait-Zeller tells the story of Serena and her gallant horse Rim-Fyre. A strange thing happens during Serena and Rim-Fyre’s usual ride, where a brilliant flash of white light surrounds them as if Rim-Fyre has stumbled upon a hidden place. She later finds out that they are standing in a circle of ancient stones. To her surprise, they have journeyed back through time and going home seems impossible.
Mitzy Tait-Zeller has written a beautiful tale. I was so immersed in the story that I had to slow myself down so as not to finish the novel too quickly. Tait-Zeller has a wonderful and absolutely engaging prose, which is also supported by vivid portrayals of the surroundings. In the end, I finished Rim-Fyre and the Stones of Time in two sittings. Rim-Fyre is definitely a proud and stubborn horse, but Serena really has the ability to control the mighty animal. I admired her patience and assertiveness when dealing with Rim-Fyre.
I really love the fact that time travel plays a major role in the story line. The entire novel is a journey of love and soul-searching. As I kept reading this mesmerizing tale, I couldn't help but sink into my own feelings of nostalgia, when Serena and Rim-Fyre are transported back into the 19th century. This is a must read novel and I’m more than happy to recommend it to my fellow readers.
Recommend this book:
Marie's 9 Lives
Shana Gammon
2013 Silver Medal
84 Pages
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Fiction - Animals
"Marie’s 9 Lives" is a series of short stories about Marie, the cat. Marie was different from the usual cats. She was forgetful, a glutton and a disaster. Marie was cute and cuddly. The story begins with Marie and her home which is inside a cardboard box lined with a soft flannel in a corner of Mrs. Woodward's kitchen. Her days are spent playing with her brother and receiving kitten baths from her mother. Marie had this uncanny knack of getting into trouble. Whether it was batting at cow tails when Mrs. Woodward milked or smashing flowers in Mrs. Woodward's Iris Garden, Marie's behavior was worsening day by day. The book is a collection of stories about Marie, the cat who finally finds a place of her liking where she would love to spend the rest of her life. The stories deal with the different people she meets in her life, how each one is different from the other and how they influence her.
Every character in the book is etched clearly and they all remain in your mind even after the book is kept down. I think it is a delightful read for any child who is introduced into reading. The language is simple and the stories are short and interesting. Children before they reach the teenage prefer books with illustrations and animals and this book is just that. Marie still carries on with her adventure of going from place to place and meeting new people. Will she ever settle down in a place where she likes or would she be still searching for new places?
Recommend this book:
Becoming Shamus
Elizabeth Curtisse
2013 Gold Medal
371 Pages
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Fiction - Animals
Shamus the black Labrador retriever welcomes new puppy Shelby home from the animal shelter. Shamus has been lonely without Lela, the elderly black dog, who greeted him when he was adopted five years before. Shamus has lived happily with his family. Lela helped Shamus adjust to living with his family and encouraged him to be patient with the family's cat Emi, also rescued from a shelter. Shamus met the neighbor's Irish Setter, Ronan, who became a lifetime friend and Miss Bridgette, a golden retriever mix who lives with a neighborhood family. And over the years, Shamus and Lela formed a close bond as they watch the family live their everyday lives, but Lela began to age before Shamus' eyes.
"Becoming Shamus" by Elizabeth Curtisse is a delightful story about Shamus the black lab and the family he lives with and loves. Shamus, Lela, Emi and Ronan are wonderful animal characters who behave and think/speak as animals would in a family setting. Gwen and Raj fight and make up and live through job changes and a parade of nannies at home while loving their children and their pets. It was fun watching Haley and Logan growing up through Shamus' watchful eyes. Good animal stories bring out the best in readers as they bring on tears of sorrow and joy. "Becoming Shamus" is one of them. It is a story that belongs on reading lists everywhere. If "Marley and Me" is a favorite, then "Becoming Shamus" belongs right next to it.