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:
Scarlet Reign
Malice of the Dark Witch
R.D. Crist
2019 Honorable Mention
313 Pages
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Young Adult - Mystery
In R.D. Crist’s Scarlet Reign: Malice of the Dark Witch, we are introduced to fourteen-year-old Natalie who is sitting by her mother’s deathbed. Taking possession of her mother’s beloved ring, Natalie is whisked away by Ava, a stranger claiming to be a long-lost relative. Together, they flee a sinister enemy, heading for the refuge of a girls-only orphanage that houses an order of witches. With Ava’s encouragement and due to the perilous circumstances she finds herself in, Natalie struggles to discover her previously unknown roots in magical ability, to master her self-doubt, and to accept her destiny. When an evil force bent on revenge attacks the orphanage, will Natalie and her demanding mentors and her new friends be able to defend themselves?
R.D. Crist’s Scarlet Reign: Malice of the Dark Witch plunges us into a world that is familiar with its cities, planes, and trains yet fantastical, a place of magic, both benevolent and malicious. Natalie’s battle to control her emotions and develop her own intuition ring true given her age. Several passages recount her being given counsel and comfort as she fights to balance her often overwhelming emotions with cool calculation, typically a skill developed with time and experience. Crist also gives readers a hierarchy of magical practitioners both familiar and unique, yet always credible and true to the world Crist has created. The characters are flawed and therefore very human, despite their magical abilities. Scarlet Reign is fun without being too preachy about teen angst. I particularly enjoyed the final battle. This book shows us personal growth, forgiveness, loss, and redemption while being a thoughtfully enjoyable read. All in all, a good story.
Recommend this book:
Triplicity
J. Mercer
2019 Bronze Medal
296 Pages
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Young Adult - Mystery
Triplicity by J. Mercer is a young adult mystery story. One Alaskan cruise and three teenagers thrown together by circumstance. A number of thefts happen on the cruise ship and all three are under suspicion. Navy is very prim and proper but she does have someone else’s purse. Jesse knows more than he should and Isiah has the motive. Each one of them has a piece of the puzzle but the lies they told will trip them up. Each has their own reason for keeping quiet but there may be a better reason not to. Do they band together and find the real thief or do they go their own separate ways? Is it worth the exposure of their deepest and darkest secrets?
Triplicity by J Mercer was an excellent story. It takes a bit of getting used to at first as each chapter is told from a different point of view – by one of the three main characters – but it was one of those books I couldn’t put down. Each character had a story to tell and that story was brought out gradually. The three main protagonists were developed very well, three very likable and fun people that a reader can easily relate to. This was a combination of a mystery story, with a little romance thrown in for good measure, and a kind of coming of age story. Right from page one, I was drawn into their lives and those of the people they originally traveled with, people that lent a great deal to the story and provided depth. With a well-paced plot and plenty of action, this was a fun, light-hearted read; I would love to read more about these characters. Fully recommended for readers of all ages, not just the younger ones.
Recommend this book:
The Language Thieves
A mysterious fantasy for ages 12 and up.
Marc Remus
2019 Silver Medal
289 Pages
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Young Adult - Mystery
The Language Thieves is a young adult fantasy by Marc Remus. Sixteen-year-old Daniel is none too happy about his father’s decision to move the family from Arizona to a remote Scottish island, of all places. His mother was stricken by a mysterious illness that has rendered her incapable of communication. Daniel speaks English and Irish Gaelic although he isn’t too keen on overtly displaying his Irish roots. Once on the island, he meets two new friends, Jenny and Connor, who are as suspicious as he is about a strange, elusive tribe that inhabits a part of the island: the Cerebrals, with their own unique culture, obsession with language, and their worship of the brain. The Cerebrals keep themselves apart from the rest of the population, and don’t want their kids to have anything to do with the locals. A bit difficult when Daniel finds himself falling for the cute Emily, who just happens to be a Cerebral. What is the mystery behind the Cerebrals, and do they have anything to do with Daniel’s mom’s affliction? How can they possibly be dangerous?
This is a young adult fantasy that is quite different from the norm. The plot dives back into ancient history and draws together some very intriguing theories. Young adult fans of Atlantis and ancient civilizations will devour this story. The plot is full of twists and turns and although I am not usually surprised, this book made me sit up. The action starts right away, aboard the ferry en route the island, when a young teen (Connor) is attacked by strange men. The pace is steady and escalates as the youngsters team up to resolve the mystery behind the Cerebrals, their mission, and how it will affect the whole world. Daniel is the most well developed of the trio, but Jenny is a solid sidekick gifted with IT skills and Connor is close behind as the loyal friend willing to follow first and ask questions later. The teens sound and behave mostly as one would expect teens to do and this adds realism to the plot. The romance between Daniel and Emily is sweet but underplayed so that it does not overshadow the main plot.
The intrigue and mystery behind what the kids discover will certainly have young readers doing their own investigations into history, culture, and the value and place of ancient languages in society. I liked this thought-provoking angle – just how many ancient languages are still spoken today, and how many have been lost in the last century? The descriptions of the Cerebrals and their culture, dress and architecture are unique and showcase the author’s incredible imagination. A great cover and good layout and editing add to one’s reading pleasure. Themes of friendship, loyalty, teamwork and family abound. This is an intriguing fantasy by Remus and perfect for the young adult market.
Recommend this book:
Evoke
D.M. Simmons
2019 Gold Medal
390 Pages
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Young Adult - Mystery
Evoke by Danielle Simmons is a coming-of-age story with strong psychological underpinnings, a story of loss and one woman’s struggle to come to grips with a painful tragedy. Set in the imaginary locale of Lake Haven, Maine, we follow five childhood friends who meet again when they come back home for summer. But then an accident claims the lives of three of these friends. Laney Thomas wakes up months later to the startling realization that she’s the only survivor in an accident in which three of her friends have lost their lives. She remembers nothing about the accident and the week leading up to the event. Evan, the only friend in the group who happened to be away during the accident, stays close to her. But can Evan — in spite of the bond they share — help her understand what happened? When Evan suddenly disappears without a word, Laney experiences the worst form of darkness. Can memories of her past guide her to the truth buried in the deep recesses of her heart?
Layer by grueling layer, Danielle Simmons leads readers into the depths of her characters. The narrative starts with a powerful premise — friends meeting after a long period of absence, then an accident that leaves one of them without any memory of what happened and a painful loss. I got utterly involved as I followed the protagonist, hoping against all hope that she found the tools she needed to get answers. The emotion is strong and it is enabled by the fine prose that captures emotions in detail. The plot structure is well designed, starting with questions and introducing a crisis that permeates every aspect of the narrative. Evoke is atmospheric, deeply moving, and emotionally intense. The protagonist left me with strong echoes of the protagonist in Before I Go to Sleep. An edge-of-your-seat kind of read!
Recommend this book:
The Girl Who Saved Ghosts
The Unbelievables, Book 2
K.C. Tansley
2018 Silver Medal
282 Pages
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Young Adult - Mystery
The Girl Who Saved Ghosts: The Unbelievables, Book 2 is a time-travel paranormal fantasy novel for young and new adults written by K.C. Tansley. Kat was way too familiar with ghosts popping up when she least expected them and asking for her help. She had been able to block them in the past, but things had changed; she was not the same girl she had been before the summer vacation. She had had plans for her senior year in prep school, the typical plans most teens have, but their summer adventure at Castle Creighton had left her totally adrift and not at all sure what kind of future she would actually get to have. Not only did she learn that she was able to travel back into the past and actually change things, but she became aware of the Langley family’s heritage. She hadn’t known much at all about her dad; he had left her and her mom years ago when Kat was an infant. Having him send her the Langley ring was strange enough. After years of his seeming neglect, she had simply tossed it in a drawer. Now, she understood a bit more about her ancestry. She was a green-eyed Langley, and the ring had chosen her to be the next Langley heir. The only problem was, Langley heirs don’t live very long at all, and something or someone called the Dark One was determined to destroy her.
K.C. Tansley’s time-travel paranormal fantasy novel for young and new adults, The Girl Who Saved Ghosts: The Unbelievables, Book 2, has monsters, ghosts and a legacy that binds four families together for generations to come. Tansley includes enough background information within the story to allow this book to be read on its own, but I’d strongly recommend starting with The Girl Who Ignored Ghosts, the first book in the series. The author has built up an original and compelling fantasy world in The Unbelievables series and starting with the second one will have readers losing out on the histories, interactions and complex personalities of her characters, as well as missing out on having a deeper understanding of the continuing story line. Tansley’s plot works quite well on a number of levels. There are definite elements of the sword and sorcery genre as well as touches of urban fantasy, coming of age and action and adventure genres. I especially enjoyed watching as Kat forms an enduring kinship with an earlier ancestor who becomes a mentor, friend and more. Tansley gives the reader a lot to think about in this decidedly different and very readable fantasy novel that deftly poses ethical questions and theories about the afterlife mixed in with all the action and suspense. The Girl Who Saved Ghosts: The Unbelievables, Book 2 is most highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
The Lost Causes
Jessica Etting, Alyssa Schwartz
2018 Bronze Medal
344 Pages
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Young Adult - Mystery
Cedar Springs High students Zelda, Sabrina, Andrew, Gabby, and Justin are the ones everyone around them-peers, parents, and teachers-deem as lost causes, which rightly gives this YA mystery thriller its title. Two undercover FBI agents, Ryan Nash and Patricia Nichols, summoned them to a ‘group-therapy program’, where the teens drink a special serum that erases their problems and gives each of them a psychic ability. In return, they must track a killer who murdered one of their town residents.
Despite the premise of The Lost Causes by Jessica Etting and Alyssa Schwartz being slightly formulaic, it’s executed well through the well-paced plot. Characterization is the main strength of the story for me, where each of the characters and their relationships are given enough room to grow. It’s interesting how they adjust to their new abilities and working together to solve the murder case. It’s a play on irony; Justin Diaz, a football player with anger issues, has the ability of psychokinesis or moving physical objects using the mind, while OCD Gabby Dahl’s ability is retro-cognition, or triggering visions of the past by touching objects. I do relate more to the smart but gloomy Zelda or Z, who’s able to read people’s thoughts. Personally, I find Andrew Foreman, the hypochondriac turned genius, has the best deal out of it, but strangely proves his worth differently.
The narrative has a solid clarity and is engaging. There are good moments of humor, camaraderie, and suspense. The proposed mystery is intricate, thrilling and perplexing, making the story a page-turner. YA romance is expected, although I’m ambivalent about a certain romantic relationship between two characters. On the whole, The Lost Causes is surprisingly a gratifying read. Despite being a YA imprint, older readers can enjoy it as well.
Recommend this book:
The Noxhelm Murders
Dr. Bon Blossman
2018 Honorable Mention
240 Pages
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Young Adult - Mystery
In The Noxhelm Murders by Dr. Bon Blossman, a mob-related incident put the O’Sullivan family into the Witness Protection Program and they were relocated from Boston to the misty town of Noxhelm. Seventeen-year-old Shana tries her best to adjust to the sudden change, particularly when her new home is the haunted Ripper House. Being a new kid in town is difficult as Shana has to face the teenage drama of the local youth and unwillingly learns more about the dark history of the infamous house she’s living in. Things get worse when Shana is accused of murdering a teen at a party.
The characters have enough depth, but the young protagonist Shana is not easily likable and it was difficult to root for her at first. She came across to me as a spoiled teen who refused to accept the situation that she and her parents had to deal with. That said, her reluctance was understandable; her good, easy life had just taken a different turn. The clear-cut prose creates tension at the right moments and the plot is well-structured, well-paced and has good twists. That said, some events are slightly implausible to me, such as Shana’s parents’ reaction to the news about their strange old neighbor, Tabatha Gill, wandering inside their house while they were out, including the fact that Shana’s mother herself had given an extra key to the old woman. Nevertheless, the story is engaging, and the supernatural, horror, mystery, as well as the crime elements in Blossman’s The Noxhelm Murders create a suspenseful novel that will satisfy its targeted readers.
Recommend this book:
The Carlswick Deception
The Carlswick Mysteries, Book 4
S.L. Beaumont
2018 Finalist
258 Pages
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Young Adult - Mystery
The Carlswick Deception: The Carlswick Mysteries, Book 4 is a young and new adult mystery novel written by S.L. Beaumont. While this is the fourth book in the series, the author provides enough background information to allow this novel to be read as a standalone story. Stephanie had her hands full with assignments that were due the next day, so much so that she had to turn down the chance to see her boyfriend, James, who would be leaving for Japan soon and had tickets for a concert that evening. She didn’t feel, however, that she could turn down a request for help from Detective Inspector Marks when he called. Marks had helped her in the past when she had gotten herself into some minor trouble, and he had also arranged for her to work at Scotland Yard the previous summer. He was sending one of his detectives, Luke Spencer, to Oxford to speak with the Head of English Literature in connection with the murder of a man who had planned to donate some rare books to the university. Marks was hoping that Stephanie would help Luke navigate the intricacies of the campus and university politics. As luck would have it, his relatively simple request ended up becoming rather more complicated.
S.L. Beaumont’s mystery novel for young and new adults, The Carlswick Deception: The Carlswick Mysteries, Book 4, is a fast-paced and highly entertaining mystery surrounding the thefts of priceless manuscripts and the accompanying escalating violence. I have not read the previous books in this series, but was pleased to find that I was immediately able to follow the mystery as well as to appreciate the interactions of the characters in Beaumont’s story. I have a fondness for British mysteries, especially those dealing with the theft of art, manuscripts or books, and was delighted with the caliber of this story, the finely-tuned plot and the engaging characters I became familiar with as I read on. I’m looking forward to reading more of Beaumont’s work in the future. The Carlswick Deception: The Carlswick Mysteries, Book 4 is most highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
The Perfect Blindside
Leslea Wahl
2018 Gold Medal
280 Pages
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Young Adult - Mystery
Coming-of-age, inspirational, and Christian romance are genres blended perfectly in a tale of mystery in Leslea Wahl’s debut novel, The Perfect Blindside. The reader is introduced to two gifted teenagers, Jake and Sophie. Jake is a snowboarder with an Olympic Silver Medal, proud and adored by many his age, but his parents move him to a little town in Colorado, a move that he doesn’t welcome. Then there is Sophia, the honors student with a passion for photography and journalism, a girl with her own level of fame. She is opinionated and highly critical, a girl who has followed Jake’s story very closely. The two teenagers are very keen on seeing things that are negative in each other, with jealousy and the desire to appear “better than you” getting in their way of accepting each other and working together. But when their town is threatened and Jake’s reputation is about to be sullied, they have to learn to look beyond appearances and what they think of each other, and work together in trust to unveil what lurks in the secret tunnels.
A beautiful story that is wonderfully told, The Perfect Blindside is a huge success on several counts. First, I was captivated by the narrative voice which is strong. The shifts in POV, alternating between Jake and Sophie, are good, forcing the reader to get into the emotional level of the story. The first person narrative voice is compelling and it makes this tale an engrossing one. The author explores great themes in this work, including family dynamics, faith, love and friendship, and the thin line that separates reality from appearances. Leslea Wahl’s characters are real, well-developed, and memorable. This is a story that will entertain and inspire fans of young adult literature. Jake and Sophie are two magnetic characters that young readers will root for.
Recommend this book:
Faking It
Olde Locke Beach Mystery Series, Book 3
Terri A. DeMitchell
2017 Finalist
168 Pages
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Young Adult - Mystery
Faking It: Olde Locke Beach Mystery Series, Book 3 is a mystery novel for young adults and preteens written by Terri A. DeMitchell. It was high summer at Olde Locke Beach, and the tourists were out in numbers, sunbathing on the sandy beaches and playing in the Atlantic Ocean. Rachel and her friend, Will, were getting ready to meet their friends at Jefferson's Arcade for an early evening of games and pizza. Although it was really Rachel's turn to pay, she was hoping to get Will to do it instead. Her babysitting job had been cancelled, and her family's finances were in trouble. Rachel's dad was still unable to work because of his injury, and her older brother, Steve, had to handle the family lobster business on his own. Steve and his girlfriend, Carly, were also on their way to Jefferson's, but Steve was fuming over having lost a valued restaurant account. One of the part-time summer lobstermen was offering lobsters at a lower price than Steve could. He had already lost one account they had had for years. Steve was sure it was Cole Larkin, a summer lobsterman who had a bad reputation. But Steve's anger was more than just at losing that account; Cole was laying his traps on top of Steve's established ones, and he suspected the man was stealing his lobsters out of the traps.
Terri A. DeMitchell's mystery novel for young adults and preteens, Faking It, is an entertaining and fast-paced story featuring Rachel and Will, two friends aged thirteen and fourteen respectively. This is the third book in the author's Olde Locke Beach mystery series; however, the author gives her readers just enough background to allow this book to be enjoyed on its own. I loved the Olde Locke Beach setting and found myself wishing I were there to enjoy the surf and sun, and appreciated the way DeMitchell sets up the mystery her two young sleuths have to solve. This time, Rachel's family's reputation is on the line, and accompanying the two sleuths as they follow the trail of the counterfeit tens is great fun. Faking It has red herrings for readers to ponder and an authentic work day on a lobster boat for them to experience as Will and Rachel go out with her brother to bring in the family's catch. I had a grand time reading Faking It: Olde Locke Beach Mystery Series, Book 3. It's most highly recommended.