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:
Children of Terror
Inge Auerbacher, Bozenna Urbanowicz Gilbride

2015 Honorable Mention
120 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Autobiography

The Holocaust is a terrible event in world history that nearly everyone has heard of. It’s a story of betrayal, death, desertion and evil finding a place in the hearts of friends and even family. Children of Terror will show you the way the war and the events that occurred during the German invasion really affected the world of two young children who will never be able to go back to the way things were. Leaving their homes, traveling to concentration camps, and even to America has changed them in ways that were unimaginable to them as small children when the war began. This is a story that will not be easy to forget and it’s one I know I won’t forget. It’s the story of two little girls who grew up long before their time.
Bozenna Gilbride was a young Catholic Polish girl when the Nazis invaded her homeland. Though often not considered when one thinks of the Holocaust, the Polish people were also treated badly and herded into concentration and labor camps as well. Bozenna was one of those unlucky children. Inge’s story is one that we’ve likely heard more about (as a Jewish girl). Both of these girls, however, had their entire world changed by one man, the same man, and they will never be the same again. It’s truly a heart-wrenching story and it’s one that you won’t be able to forget easily. Children of Terror by Inge Auerbacher and Bozenna Urbanowicz Gilbride is a new way of looking at an old story of hatred and evil.
Recommend this book:
Initiation
A Harem Boy's Saga Book 1
Bernard Foong

2015 Finalist
548 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Autobiography

Initiation (A Harem Boy's Saga Book 1) by Bernard Foong is an absolutely fascinating glimpse into the lives of the ultra-rich and jet-setting Saudi Arabians from the point of the view of a young gay boy from Malaysia. Bernard Foong has changed the names of people in the book for confidentiality reasons and he goes by the name of Young in the book. The story starts with a description of Young’s childhood and early years in Malaysia in a well-to-do family, and describes life in a Malaysian household with a loving mother and a distant father. Young soon realizes that he is gay, which creates a further rift from his father. Eventually, Young is sent to an exclusive private boarding school in England for further studies. Once there, he is recruited into a secret underground society called E.R.O.S. that specializes in providing young teenage boys to wealthy Arab households to become a part of their harem in exchange for a lavish lifestyle and expensive gifts. This is the first book in this series and describes Young’s experiences in his first Saudi household, along with his travels and experiences in London, Paris, Venice, etc.
Bernard Foong has written a mesmerizing story that almost feels unreal and unbelievable in this modern day and age. However, every part of it is a true story that happened over 40 years ago, and which made me wonder if some of these things still occur in certain parts of the world. I am sure this could not have been an easy story to tell, and full credit goes to Bernard for fearlessly and courageously opening up to the world with a personal and intimate account of his early years. I loved Bernard’s writing style which is extremely engaging and natural, and almost made me feel like I was engaged in a conversation with him instead of reading a book. This is an absolutely fascinating read and I cannot wait to read the remaining books in this series. I would very highly recommend it.
Recommend this book:
Determined
The Story of Holocaust Survivor Avraham Perlmutter
A. Avraham Perlmutter Ph.D.

2015 Bronze Medal
172 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Autobiography

Determined: The Story of Holocaust Survivor Avraham Perlmutter delivers everything you would expect from its title, and so much more. Doctor A. Avraham Perlmutter has crafted a no-holds-barred account of his life during World War II as an Austrian Jew who witnessed and survived many of the horrors that post-war children, such as myself, have grown up learning about in school. Though he was sent away for his own (albeit relative) safety to live in the Netherlands at the start of the war, Perlmutter recounts the horrific fate that befell almost all of his extended family in the Nazi concentration camps, and his own struggle to evade arrest by the Germans simply for being who he was.
This beautifully crafted tale makes for compelling and exciting reading, even in the protagonist’s post-war struggle, which demonstrates the amazing things he was able to achieve after such a difficult childhood. With incredible visual additions such as genuine photographs and documentation from the wartime and beyond, Determined is a rich and fascinating read for anyone with a passionate interest in history. More than that, though, it’s a story about humanity and, as its title suggests, the basic human determination to survive whatever the odds. Those who are already avid fans of true wartime stories will revel in the meticulous detail that A. Avraham Perlmutter brings to his life story. However, I also think that anyone who wishes to be inspired by the sheer fortitude of the human spirit will come out of this book deeply saddened, but also satisfied that, sometimes at least, hope can prevail over the most unspeakable evils.
Recommend this book:
Relapse
Jake Anderson

2015 Silver Medal
200 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Autobiography

Relapse by Jake Anderson begins with an admission that, like a good fisherman, he would have become a proud alcoholic. But before he could become addicted to alcohol, skate boarding became his close companion and his “first addiction.” A horrible accident separates him from skateboarding forever and he gets involved with fishing to save his life from despair. He tells about the tragic loss of his father, and how he gets more into fishing. In that process he becomes an ace in handling such vessels and joins part of a popular TV show, falls in love, and of course, with a few more events to follow on more or less expected lines and some otherwise, these anecdotes are told with élan and make for interesting reading.
Relapse by Jake Anderson is an honest narration of a life unlucky to have had personal tragedies, but lucky enough to be always linked with action. Relapse also is a true reflection of that fast pace, clearly visible in this written picture. The compulsions that haunt the author, thoughts about his inadequacy popping up whenever he is in a pensive mood, his penchant to get involved in action whenever the demand so arose, and other facets of his adventurous life make good reading. With just enough description, honest and fast paced, and mostly sticking to the point, this collection of experiences tells us a lot about the man and his environs.
Recommend this book:
I Never Stopped Smiling
The inspirational autobiography of Kevin “Special K” Daley
Kevin Daley

2015 Gold Medal
244 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Autobiography

In I Never Stopped Smiling: The Inspirational Autobiography of Kevin Daley, formerly known as Harlem Globetrotter great ‘Special K,’ author Kevin Daley shares his incredible story in an effort to inspire us all to overcome disappointment and challenges in our own lives, allowing us to become an inspiration to others. Kevin recounts his tumultuous journey to success, starting with his mother’s suicide when he was only 3 years old. “Every New Year’s Eve, I would be out on the court waiting for midnight so I could say I was the first person in the world to make a basket that year.” He overcomes adversity on many levels and becomes a Guinness Book of World Records holder and achieves international fame as the captain of the World Famous Harlem Globetrotters. Today he is a motivational speaker and campaigns against bullying.
Kevin’s writing will grab your heart and make you feel his disappointment and frustration as he sat on the bench during college, and will make you laugh as he describes his first job - dressed in an Easter Bunny costume. I Never Stopped Smiling is written with passion, wit, depth and insight. It is told in a conversational style of writing that makes you feel as if you are sitting in the room with him. And, like any great conversation, you will not want it to stop and will feel that time just flew by when you hit the last page. Kevin Daley’s autobiography is a very enjoyable read and his positive thinking and determination will be an inspiration to all readers.
Recommend this book:
My Life with The Third Man in the Ring
The drama outside the ropes
Barbara Stolfi Maggio

2014 Honorable Mention
376 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Autobiography

My Life with The Third Man in the Ring by Barbara Stolfi Maggio is the author's story of her life with a celebrated professional fight referee, who also happened to be her father. He was not only a professional fight referee, but also a bookmaker, a member of a Boxing Hall of Fame and much more. This book explores in depth the relationship she shares with her glamorous mother. This heart-rending story gives readers a peek into the world of boxing in the '30s, '40s and '50s and the bookmaking, alcoholism, treachery and the underworld that was associated with it.
The book is the emotional catharsis of the author and she speaks extensively about the relationship she shared with her parents, her father Teddy and mother Dolly. She also speaks about the tumultuous relationship shared with her mother and how she felt like an unloved orphan who was deserted by parents. The book also has the difficult times that the author goes through such as child abuse, breast cancer, being estranged from the family and then reconciliation. The author's roller coaster ride of life is an engaging read for everyone.
The book is emotional and the failing relationship of her parents is also shared with readers. She speaks about how they killed each other with their contrasting personalities, although they loved each other. It is a well written autobiography with many colors and shades that everyone will find interesting.
Recommend this book:
Benjamin Breaking Barriers
Autism - A Journey of Hope
Malva Freymuth Tarasewicz

2014 Bronze Medal
380 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Autobiography

Benjamin Breaking Barriers: Autism - A Journey of Hope was written by Malva Freymuth Tarasewicz, Benjamin’s mother. In 1997, Malva realized something was wrong with her 2-year-old son, Benjamin. He no longer focused on her; at times his eyes looked empty. He stopped talking and seemed to withdraw into his own world. His hands flapped in circles when he was excited and often he rocked back and forth. Malva was not going to allow autism to steal her child from her. She and her husband made sacrifices to give Benjamin the help he needed, and that included living apart for several years. The therapies that helped Benjamin included eliminating processed foods, brushing his skin with a soft haired brush, and intracranial therapy. When Benjamin was tested for mercury toxicity, the results showed a high level of mercury in his system. It was impossible to know exactly how the metal got there. A chelating agent was used to remove the mercury from his body.
Benjamin Breaking Barriers by Malva Freymuth Tarasewicz offers hope to families where little hope has previously existed. She offers personal information and medical information. The writing style is personal. I felt as if I sat across a table from the author, enjoying a cup of tea as she shared her memories with me. While this book reads in a personal manner, it contains information that is invaluable to instructors and parents. One important point was the author’s willingness to seek information from others through books. I found this book inspiring and highly recommend it to others with an interest in autism.
Recommend this book:
Lori's Song
The true story of an American woman held captive in Iran
Lori Foroozandeh

2014 Silver Medal
244 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Autobiography

After I read Lori’s Song I had to think about it before I could write a review. Lori was abused by her biological parents. She was molested and raped by her adopted brother. Her mother was neglectful and cruel. At 15 years old she escaped her home life by marrying. The marriage was short lived. Next she joined the military and became pregnant by the recruiter. The military didn’t work well for her either.
In 1993 she met Mohammad Foroozandeh. After graduating from nursing school the couple married. In 1998 they moved to Iran. Adjusting to Iranian life was difficult. She soon learned that women had no rights.
Lori shares much about the culture and living arrangements. She tells of cockroaches, toilets, showers and shopping.
Mohammad changed while they were in Iran. That was when the beatings started. After 9/11 Mohammad told her they were going to leave Iran. They went to a bus station where they were arrested. She and others were taken to a POW camp. There were repeated beatings and rapes . I cannot describe the atrocities she lived through . Eventually she escaped . She came back to the states with nothing.
This story has a happy ending. Lori is married to a man that loves her and that’s good to her. She has a relationship with her son.
This book should serve as a wakeup call to Americans. Women have no rights in many countries. Think carefully before you commit yourself to a man from another country especially the Middle East. However it is not the only country that has honor killings.
I noticed the first part of this book needed some editing to make it flow smoothly. However, I was quickly caught up in Lori’s story. Lori’s Song is a raw emotional account. I wish Lori success. This is a must read.
Recommend this book:
In the Shadow of ELVIS
Perils of a Ghostwriter
Rico Austin

2013 Bronze Medal
236 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Autobiography

"In the Shadow of Elvis" is the story of the legitimate, illegitimate son of the legendary King of Rock ‘n Roll, John Dennis Smith. Author Rico Austin meets Elvis’s son at a chance meeting in Cave Creek, Arizona, and this book follows the journey of that unique encounter, along with the trials and tribulations of trying to get the story written and published. John Dennis Smith wanted his story told, and Rico Austin was the person he wanted to tell it.
This book was interesting in two ways, one because it tells a never before told story of the son of Elvis who was raised by Elvis’s aunt and uncle, which makes the story well worth reading. But then when things happen with the story totally out of Austin’s control, he turns the situation into the difficult journey of a ghostwriter. And Austin has such a unique way of writing that he makes the story fun, exciting and entertaining enough that you don’t want to put the book down until you finish. This is really a sad story because though John loved his adopted parents, he was robbed of a relationship with his own father and mother. And as the story tells, John follows in Elvis’ footsteps in several ways. It is all written here in Austin’s book, "In the Shadow of Elvis". This is sure to be a best seller as this book gets more and more publicity. If you enjoy memoirs, you will enjoy Smith’s story. If you are an Elvis fan, then this book is a must for you. And as an added bonus to this book, there are photos of John’s dad Elvis and his mother Zona Marie, plus lots of pictures of the author as well.
Recommend this book:
Signing with a Heavy Hand and Heart, Love Mommy
A Journey through Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Sondra Torres

2013 Honorable Mention
286 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Autobiography

"Signing with a Heavy Hand and Heart, Love Mommy" is a very touching and inspirational book describing the life of a baby born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. This book describes the everyday struggles and challenges a family had to face while raising a child with FAS. In the beginning of the book, foster mom Sondra Torres expresses her love for a baby girl born with FAS by the name of Elizabeth. Once Elizabeth was in her care, it was challenging because babies born with FAS are sometimes difficult to care for. Sondra explains how she endured the constant loud crying for years despite every calming effort she could think of. Through it all she was very much in love with baby Elizabeth. Sondra Torress talks about her daughter's emotions and actions and explains that some of these actions are due to the FAS. This book takes you through the journey of Elizabeth's life and teaches that there is still hope for children suffering from FAS.
This is an excellent book. The events in this book help a person visualize what Sondra Torres went through with her daughter. This book was very informative because before reading this I really didn't have any knowledge about FAS. However, I did know that it was not good for a woman to drink alcohol while pregnant because the baby could be born with health problems and birth defects. This books takes a deeper look at what can happen to a fetus if a woman drinks while pregnant. After reading this book I got the urge to learn more about FAS.
