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:
Dyslexia: Time For Talent
The Ultimate Guide for Parents and Children
Carolina Frohlich

2014 Honorable Mention
438 Pages
Check current price
Non-Fiction - Education

The book Dyslexia: Time for Talent by Carolina Fröhlich is written from the perspective of a person with dyslexia, a parent with dyslexic children, and a support teacher for pupils with dyslexia. The author is all of the above and through this book she proves to be a great story teller, a talented writer, and a thorough researcher. The book offers in-depth information about various aspects of what it means to have dyslexia, including the identification of struggles with reading and writing in children, different approaches and learning techniques, getting an assessment, offering children the right support and building up their self-esteem. The main idea of the book is that dyslexia is not a condition that someone needs to be “cured” of, it is only a different way of learning. Through a personalized teaching/learning approach, every child with dyslexia can find his own talent and become a successful adult.
Dyslexia: Time for Talent is a well-written and well-documented book, very informative and useful for parents and teachers alike who work with children with dyslexia. Every problem has a solution and this is illustrated through charts and examples from Fröhlich’s own experience as a parent with dyslexic children. The author also emphasises that every dyslexic child is different and parents and teachers should identify what their strengths and weaknesses are so they can adapt the teaching methods accordingly. Learning through art, music, or sports are just a few examples of such methods. But the book doesn’t stop at primary school years; it also offers advice on how to deal with the condition in later years too, from secondary school and further education to learning to drive and getting the relevant career advice. As there are still people that are diagnosed later in life, I found those chapters extremely useful. This is the kind of book that should be in every household with a dyslexic family member, so it can be consulted at any time.
Recommend this book:
The Scoop on Good Grammar
Margie Blumberg

2014 Bronze Medal
244 Pages
Check current price
Non-Fiction - Education

The Scoop on Good Grammar by Margie Blumberg is not only informative and easy to use, but is also fun to use. The book begins with the basic parts of a sentence and the eight parts of speech. It then progresses through those problem areas of making words plural and showing possession. It tackles the tough subjects of relative, demonstrative, indefinite, interrogative, intensive, and reflexive pronouns, before taking a dive into adjectives. The action heats up as the verbs rush into the picture, sporting various twists and turns. Capitalization and punctuation bring up the tail end, showing how important they are to the meaning of a sentence. Finally, a plethora of special words and phrases, that have a tendency to trip up even the most athletic readers, writers, and speakers, join the chase toward the finish. The answers to the quizzes which were included throughout the book allow the reader to discover how well they have advanced through the grammar lessons. Exploration, art, food, sports, movies, poetry, and travel are used as themes to help draw the reader’s interest to a sometimes dull subject.
Margie Blumberg has designed a method of teaching grammar that is presented in an interesting and lighthearted manner that lessens the struggle. Her approach makes this sometimes dry subject more like eating cookies at “grammer’s” house than trying to choke down “grammar” from a text book. The graphics and photography add a great deal to making the subject matter easier to swallow. The book is not only easy to read and use, but it is also easy to reference for someone who needs a quick answer to a grammatical challenge. English teachers who are looking for a new approach to teaching grammar will fall in love with this book. Students, writers, and those experiencing the English language for the first time should refer to this guide first, because it is easy to use and addresses some of the more difficult challenges in a concise and accurate manner. This book should be on the shelf of every person who writes or speaks the English language.
Recommend this book:
Word Up!
How to Write Powerful Sentences and Paragraphs (And Everything You Build from Them)
Marcia Riefer Johnston

2014 Silver Medal
270 Pages
Check current price
Non-Fiction - Education

Word Up! - How to Write Powerful Sentences and Paragraphs (And Everything You Build from Them) by Marcia Riefer Johnston is about writing, the nuances and techniques of writing well, and how to improve your writing skills. The book tells you how to make your writing more powerful by using the right words. Every writer wants to improve their writing style and skill according to the changes happening in their language. The book tells you how to be progressive in your writing.
Writing is a very powerful tool. Many of us write e-mails, blog posts, reviews, stories, and novels. These can be conveyed effectively to a reader with the use of right words. The book exposes readers to an effective way of writing. The instructions are engaging and interesting. The tips, guides, and insights into writing are very helpful. In spite of all the techniques about writing and English language, the author has written the book in a light-hearted manner, making it accessible to readers of all age groups.
You feel your writing can be effortless once you finish the book. Writing has become such a powerful tool that I recommend all libraries and school libraries to purchase a few copies for reference purposes. The book shows you that there is enough scope to improve on your writing. It is a brilliant book.
Recommend this book:
Life in a Jar
The Irena Sendler Project
Jack Mayer

2014 Gold Medal
398 Pages
Check current price
Non-Fiction - Education

Life in a Jar: The Irena Sendler Project by Jack Mayer is the biography of Irena Sendler who was instrumental in saving the lives of 2,500 Jewish children from the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II. Though her contribution was first suppressed by the Polish government, she was later on elevated to the status of a National Hero for her heroism and work during World War II. The author has captured the moments of life and death that existed during World War II and the Holocaust, which makes the book a disturbing yet compelling read. This true story depicts the goodness that existed in the minds of certain people even during the times of war and strife that took many lives. The book also conveys the message of tolerance and acceptance of other religions and creeds.
Jack Mayer introduces a hero to readers whose heroic deeds will warm their hearts. It is not often one gets to read about these kinds of human beings who put their lives at stake to save others. Her act of courage and love will touch many. The Irena Sendler/Life in a Jar Foundation promotes the legacy of this great woman and encourages everyone to follow her path of selfless service.
It is a book that I will recommend all teachers, educators, and students because it conveys the message of how one person can change the world around them with their love and service. A stunning book that touched me. It is a beautiful novel that everyone should read, both for its history and message.
Recommend this book:
Disorder in the Classroom
Or a Firsthand Account of Substitute Teaching in the Chicago Public Schools System
Janice M. Hypolite

2013 Silver Medal
156 Pages
Check current price
Non-Fiction - Education

Janice Hypolite retired from her position as an accountant, spent time with her daughters and then decided to pursue her desire to teach. In the 1980s it was very easy to achieve certification to substitute teach. After a short while she returned to accounting. In 2007 she decided to return to subbing. Her certification was out of date and the criteria to gain one was much tougher. After receiving her updated certification Janice prepared herself for the new school year by buying paper, pencils, a tote and searching for lessons to keep the students occupied. She expected to work frequently but it was the end of Oct. before she was called to teach. The teacher had not left a lesson plan. The students were loud, rude and uncooperative.
At one point Janice asked herself the question, “Who is in charge, the students or the teachers.” After having also been a substitute teacher with similar experiences I can say that too often the students are in charge. MS Hypolite apparently kept a diary of each class she taught and problems within the class. Being a sub is not easy. I found the best subs were retired teachers. They had degrees in education. They were better prepared to handle the behavior problems in the classroom. Students seem to recognize their authority.
Not everyone is cut out to be a teacher. Many who desire to be one lack the skills that are needed. I discovered early on that I worked better in EBD classes than in regular classrooms.
Author Janice Hypolite's experiences as a substitute teacher in the Chicago Public School system are informative and well documented. She effectively discusses discipline problems and the attitudes of teachers, as well as the issues facing subs like intimidation from other teachers and lack of lesson planning.The last chapter of the book is filled with the author’s creative suggestions and honest opinions. There is a lot of valuable experience and wisdom in this book that readers will find eye-opening, especially parents and those in the educational field.
Recommend this book:
The Mind of Thuse!
Thriving within Effortlessness
Linda

2013 Honorable Mention
218 Pages
Check current price
Non-Fiction - Education

Did you know that you have the ability to access and apply your creativity to all areas of your life without necessarily coming from a so called creative field? In her book “The Mind of Thuse! Thriving within Effortlessness”, Linda Smarzik explains how creativity can be successfully applied on a daily basis for problem solving and for reaching a joyful and effortless state of mind. The premise of her theory is that we have all experienced a high degree of enthusiasm and spent hours doing something that we enjoyed, be that baking, fixing a car or writing a children’s story. By accessing this state of mind, we can then apply it to the areas we struggle in. Instead of procrastinating a daunting activity, we can enter in this realm of creativeness to accomplish something that we weren't even aware we could. In proving her theory, apart from her personal story, Linda Smarzik comes with examples from quantum physics, string theory, eastern philosophy and concepts from Hinduism all combined with explanations on how the brain works as well as the distinction between brain and mind.
The book was challenging to read at times because of the science behind the narrative. However, all the scientific data and philosophical viewpoints are necessary to gain a deeper understanding of what is going on in the reactive brain and how those theories can explain some elusive concepts such as intuition, miracles and coincidence. The real life examples and case studies of people who struggled but then managed to find a solution are offering a complete picture of the theory so that we can all apply it to our own lives and reach the effortlessness by accessing the mind of Thuse.
Recommend this book:
The Art of Planning Allergen-Free Events
Stephanie Courtney

2013 Honorable Mention
90 Pages
Check current price
Non-Fiction - Education

“The Art of Planning Allergen-Free Events” by Stephanie Courtney is a very informative book for those who are looking for information on food allergies, especially as related to event planning. For those who do not have food allergies on their own, this is a wonderful guide into the concerns that their guests might potentially have about the food being prepared. While the guidelines listed by the author might seem like common sense, they are also ideas that readers might not understand if they are not food allergy sufferers. Guides like this are important because food allergies, as the author points out, are not food trends. People with food allergies and intolerance are forced to eat in a certain manner because they have no choice. Taking this fact into account must become a more common practice within event planning, especially when working with caterers unused to such requests. Children, teen, and weddings all have different issues that must be reviewed, given the guest lists, but with a little of the prior planning explained in this book, there will hopefully be no reason to stop the festivities.
I found the book to be well-written, with lots of website links provided so that readers could research food allergy issues on their own as well. Given the increasing number of people diagnosed with an allergy to something everyone else sees as innocuous (milk, peanuts, eggs, seafood, grains), this book can play an important role in planning events for large groups of people without compromising their safety.
Recommend this book:
What Foreigners Need To Know About America From A To Z
How to understand crazy American culture, people, government, business, language and more.
Lance Johnson

2013 Gold Medal
616 Pages
Check current price
Non-Fiction - Education

Knowledgeable author Lance Johnson has written "What Foreigners Need to Know about America from A to Z", primarily to help the foreign-born visitor or immigrant to function effectively and easily in the United States. There are four sections to this invaluable reference tool: American Heritage, American Culture, American Business and American Language. The twenty-six chapters which comprise these four sections tell in detail of how the United States is a country of diversity and change. The author states correctly, over and over, that countries of the world must learn about each other's culture and that citizens of the United States must understand that the world is uncomfortable with our dominance in economics and our political outreach. People around the world see us as not caring about other countries, and conclude that we come off as self-righteous and having a superiority complex in world affairs. However, citizens of the United States are honest, fair, kind and grateful as expressed in our actions which appeal to other countries of the world.
"What Foreigners Need to Know about American from A to Z" should be given to every person immigrating to or even just visiting this country. Author Lance Johnson is well-versed in world-wide protocols and tells of how WalMart has to close down its stores in Germany as it didn't research how to serve German customers. The author tells of how to participate in many everyday things in the United States but also reminds the reader that flashing the soles of your feet in Thailand is a big "no-no" and that in Bulgaria head nods of "yes" and "no" are the opposite of ours in the United States. The author gives lengthy descriptions in the sections on American business and American language, making "What Foreigners need to Know about America from A to Z" useful for anyone, including Americans themselves. The table of contents, the quizes, the many lists of interesting facts, and the accompanying colored photographs make this book one that should be available worldwide. It is a gem and treasure trove of valuable information that will help the foreign-born and American-born navigate their world without making serious or offensive mistakes.
Recommend this book:
Tilogos
A Treatise on the Origins and Evolution of Language
Sherman P. Bastarache

2013 Finalist
354 Pages
Check current price
Non-Fiction - Education

Sherman P. Bastarache has an inordinate interest in language. His interest began when he was in the eighth grade. His teacher was discussing evolution and a student commented that words cannot evolve. Suddenly, it occurred to Bastarache that if you add a 't' to 'here' you have 'there', which to some degree is language evolution. In his book "Tilogos: A Treatise on the Origins and Evolution of Language", Bastarache asks the question “is language innate?” Bastarache takes readers on a journey back to the sloppy, steamy beginnings when single-celled organisms inhabited the earth, or at least that is what evolutionists would say. Bastarache began his research as a Christian attempting to disprove language evolution. He nicknamed evolution evilution. As he continued his research he stumbled on to a method where clicks and squeals could have evolved into language. I suppose my mind is simple; I have always accepted creationism. Whatever be the manner he used, God created all. To me this means he also created language. I think Evolution and Creationism can and should go hand in hand.
Sherman P. Bastarache is obviously very intelligent. His book is well-researched, thought-out and organized. He begins with the way animals communicate and moves his way through the written word. He discusses hieroglyphics, Roman letters, and Chinese symbols. Then he discusses how the brain processes language. "Tilogos" is a uniquely written book. I have never seen a book covering this topic. I found the topic interesting and comprehensive. Mr. Bastarache, you stimulated my brain and made me think of a totally different concept. Kudos.
Recommend this book:
Multiply and Divide with Sticks and Steps®
Maureen Stearns

2012 Bronze Medal
96 Pages
Check current price
Non-Fiction - Education

What is your reaction when your child asks you for help with multiplication? It is difficult for most kids to learn, and even more difficult sometimes to teach them. Well, now you have a great resource to help you with this problem. In her book "Multiply and Divide with Sticks and Steps," Maureen Stearns shows us a whole new way of teaching these things to our kids. And it is not only fast and easy, it is a lot of fun too! Once you try this method, you will be so amazed you will never think about the old ways of learning to multiply and divide again. Wow, this is so easy! Why did it take so long to figure this out? Maureen Stearns has figured out a method that will help all children, and adults alike. And this is especially exciting for those children with learning disabilities, or those not as fast as others with maths. I won’t give the method because you need to purchase the book for this, but once you read and view the graphics in this book, you will say exactly what I did, Wow, this is so easy!
I highly recommend Maureen’s book “Multiply and Divide with Sticks and Steps” to everyone who has small children! This book is a must in teaching your child these important steps. And I also feel that this book is a must for every church, school, and public library because it is such a reliable resource for students. And you home school students, what a wonderful invention for you! I just can’t say enough about this book. Grab a copy for yourself, and then encourage your church, school and public libraries to purchase a few copies.
