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:
But She Looks Fine
From Illness to Activism
Olivia Goodreau
2024 Finalist
147 Pages
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Young Adult - Non-Fiction
But She Looks Fine: From Illness to Activism is an inspirational autobiography of a young girl’s struggle to find the answer to what was making her feel so ill from second grade. Her chronic illness made Olivia Goodreau stand apart from her normal classmates because she always felt so sick. Her parents took her to numerous doctors with no solution as her physical symptoms worsened. Finally, Olivia was diagnosed with Lyme disease, a tick-borne illness that is on the increase all across America. Doctors find it hard to diagnose because the physical symptoms that patients report differ so widely. Goodreau chronicles not only her physical and mental challenges but also shares with us her strength and determination in her advocacy work for Lyme disease.
In But She Looks Fine, Olivia Goodreau relates her experiences addressing large groups because she wanted to share her story with people who can make a difference in finding the cure for Lyme disease. I especially liked the way that she writes an open, heartfelt letter every few chapters to people such as her parents, doctors, classmates, politicians, scientists, and researchers to highlight to each how they can be more compassionate and more understanding toward someone with this disease. From helping to develop a nationwide application that identifies ticks to setting up her foundation called LivLyme, helping families get the funds they need for treatment, Goodreau is a force to be reckoned with. She is truly a hero for the advocacy work she has done to raise awareness about Lyme disease and her brave story only illustrates to the reader that anything is possible at any age.
Recommend this book:
I’d Rather Be Dead Than Deaf
A Young Woman’s Journey with Liver Cancer
E. Adrienne Wilson, Andrea Wilson Woods
2024 Honorable Mention
442 Pages
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Young Adult - Non-Fiction
I’d Rather Be Dead Than Deaf: A Young Woman’s Journey with Liver Cancer is a work of non-fiction in the autobiography, medical journey, and inspirational writing subgenres. The work is suitable for both young adult and adult readers. Penned by author E. Adrienne Wilson, this true-life account chronicles the poignant journey of a teenage artist and poet battling liver cancer. Adrienne's journal captures her vibrant spirit, humor, and profound reflections on life, love, and her experiences in Los Angeles before her untimely death at fifteen.
Author E. Adrienne Wilson’s writing offers a unique exploration of an intimate world through her journal entries and artwork. Her raw honesty, wit, and resilience in the face of terminal illness have a profound impact in this lasting tribute to her strength. Adrienne's musings on life, love, and her surroundings reveal a maturity beyond her years, making her loss even more poignant, and the beautiful inclusion of her colorful artwork adds another layer that showcases her talent and creativity. Steeped in nostalgia for the late 90s, the book offers a poignant reminder of the fleeting nature of life and the enduring power of art to capture the human experience, whilst also bringing an authentic voice and attitude to the era. Adrienne's story, though tragic, is a testament to the beauty and strength found in adversity. Overall, I’d Rather Be Dead Than Deaf was deeply moving to read and I would certainly recommend it to memoir readers everywhere for its poignant perspective on cancer.
Recommend this book:
The Wisdom Answer
Equipping Teens Living in a Culture of Deception, An Interactive Journal Based on Proverbs 1–9
Lenora E Trembath
2024 Bronze Medal
140 Pages
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Young Adult - Non-Fiction
If you could choose anyone, past or present, to be your mentor in moral issues, whom would you select? Hopefully, you would choose the wisest man who ever lived. That man was Solomon and God included his sage advice in the biblical book of Proverbs. Lenora E. Trembath shares Solomon’s wisdom with teens in The Wisdom Answer. Since God is our Creator, He gives excellent guidance on living the best life. Through encouraging readers to memorize biblical verses, providing short commentaries, and asking probing questions, Lenora presents a great study of the first nine chapters of Proverbs. One important thing to remember is that since Jesus Christ met the requirement for perfection in His sacrificial death, we do not have to be perfect.
Even though The Wisdom Answer is a Bible study, Lenora E. Trembath’s writing style is not preachy. This easy-to-read informative book brings the wisdom of Solomon to life by asking open-ended questions. While this book can be used independently, Lenora suggests studying in a small group. Solomon’s wisdom includes learning self-control. Lenora is a retired homeschooling mom. She wanted to instill biblical wisdom in her children and taught them from the book of Proverbs. The Wisdom Answer is the culmination of fourteen years of preparation. If you have pre-teens, then you need this book. As a parent, one of the best things you can do is to lead your children into Godly living. This comes from studying the Bible and applying the truth. Start teaching them when they are young, and they will grow up to be wise. I highly recommend this book to all parents.
Recommend this book:
Trauma Recovery Workbook for Teens
Exercises to Process Emotions, Manage Symptoms and Promote Healing
Deborah Vinall, PsyD, LMFT
2024 Silver Medal
184 Pages
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Young Adult - Non-Fiction
Trauma Recovery Workbook for Teens: Exercises to Process Emotions, Manage Symptoms, and Promote Healing is a remarkable and must-have book. Deborah Vinall, PsyD, LMFT offers the best guidance and tools to help teens heal from traumatic life experiences, make therapy more effective, and develop healthy coping skills to manage and reduce their stress and anxiety. This book helps them understand the truth about trauma and shows them how to address their trauma, take back control, develop resilience, navigate their social world, and embrace their future. It explores the types of trauma and how trauma impacts them. This book shows the reader how to move through their painful and negative emotions, thoughts, feelings, and memories about what happened and heal. Most importantly, it helps them better understand their emotions, overcome blame, guilt, or shame, and understand the importance of self-compassion in healing.
Trauma Recovery Workbook for Teens is the ultimate mental health book on how to heal from trauma, build your resilience, avoid self-destructive behaviors, overcome negative self-talk, recognize your triggers, and reestablish your sense of safety, hope, and purpose. With compassion and gentle guidance, Deborah Vinall makes you feel no longer alone, seen, or validated. This author's empathetic tone assures teens that healing is possible and that they are much more than what happened to them. It is for teens aged 12 to 16 and anyone, no matter their age, who has experienced one or many kinds of trauma and wants to become empowered to finally move toward facing and healing from the horrible things they've experienced and building satisfying relationships and a sense of direction and purpose. I highly recommend it.
Recommend this book:
Actionable Life Skills for Young Adults
11 Powerful Steps to Achieve Financial Independence and Kick-start Your Road to Successful Adulthood
Maya Shine
2024 Gold Medal
224 Pages
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Young Adult - Non-Fiction
As a young person in this modern era, it isn't enough to acquire just academic knowledge. You also need to develop your life skills to become independent and self-sufficient. Maya Shine offers readers this comprehensive guidebook -- Actionable Life Skills for Young Adults -- to help you do that. Using the long-established method of 5WH, this book shows you how to be self-aware, attain a growth mindset, and take action to begin your journey into adulthood and a fulfilling life. With this book, you will discover meditation and mindfulness as essential ingredients to self-care, learn about how to present yourself to the world, get a summer job and earn money for the first time, navigate neurodiversity in the workplace, excel in work, manage money, build a budget, handle taxes, save money for college, find your own place, and more.
The late teens and early twenties are a time that can define the trajectory of your life. This is why books like Actionable Life Skills for Young Adults are a must-read for any new adult/teenager who is ready to leave the nest and face the world on their own. Author Maya Shine covers a broad range of topics in this meticulously detailed guide -- basically, everything a young person may need to know about before they leave home for college, career, or any other enterprise for the first time in their lives. Toward the end of the book, you will find an action-plan template to help you oversee the progress you've made in the pursuit of your goals. This is an informative and motivational handbook, and it couldn't be more relevant for today's youth. Highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
There is No Shrimp... And Other Lies My Mother Told Me
Kenny Loui, Ph.D.
2023 Finalist
100 Pages
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Young Adult - Non-Fiction
There is No Shrimp... And Other Lies My Mother Told Me is an autobiographical manga by Kenny Loui. A sequel to Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher by the same author, the comic book follows Kenny after he lands himself in jail following his fistfight with Killian. Kenny finds a pink plush pig to whom he starts telling stories from his childhood and how the sweet lies of his mother taught him some valuable lessons. Kenny's mom used to live in a black-and-white world, and she taught him to be grateful that his world was so much more colorful. Whether tricking him into eating his food or making him wary of drugs, Kenny's mom found ingenious ways to impart wisdom to her son. In this installment, you will learn about some fun Couple Holidays unique to South Korean culture.
I am two books through this series and already a fan of Kenny's adventures. There is No Shrimp... And Other Lies My Mother Told Me continues in the same joyful spirit of the previous installment, where Kenny Loui finds a way to incorporate some grounded moral lessons into fun-filled adventure stories that you can't help but love. Illustrator Yamawe's artwork is as brilliant as ever, making the narrative even more vibrant and effective. I loved that Kenny still hadn't lost his affinity for plush toys in jail. Comic books like these are the best way to teach kids about morals and life. Highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
How I Learned to Rock My Life
The Peter Dankelson Story
Peter Dankelson, Dede Dankelson
2023 Honorable Mention
206 Pages
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Young Adult - Non-Fiction
Some people can teach us better than others how to make a difference in our lives, and Peter Dankelson is one of them. Yet, in the beginning, his circumstances would not have allowed him to even imagine this possibility. He was born prematurely and was diagnosed with Goldenhar syndrome. He had to undergo surgery on numerous occasions throughout his life and cope with being different, but this has not discouraged him at all. Thanks to music and his guitar, Peter proves you can stay positive and become a source of inspiration for many people. Find out all the details of his incredible life in his book How I Learned to Rock My Life: The Peter Dankelson Story, which he wrote in conjunction with his mother, Dede Dankelson.
How I Learned to Rock My Life is the perfect title for the story of Peter Dankelson. This book tells of a life that could have been very different, but which, thanks to the spirit of our hero, can and will inspire people to self-acceptance. Reading about all the surgery that Peter underwent since he was a baby and seeing the photographs makes us realize everything he had to endure before becoming the person he is now. He also reveals that the secret is to believe that even unfavorable conditions can bring about something good. I think that Peter, his mother Dede, and the rest of his family can be proud of what they have shown to the world. I recommend this book to anyone who wishes to discover the life of the extraordinary Peter Dankelson, especially if they are looking for a model of perseverance.
Recommend this book:
Everything About Astronauts Vol. 2
Fascinating Fun Facts and Trivia about Astronauts for Teens and Adults
Marianne Jennings
2023 Bronze Medal
294 Pages
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Young Adult - Non-Fiction
Russia put the first man into space. Interestingly, Russia also has the best safety record of any country that participates in space exploration. There are a lot of traditions incorporated in the Russian launch sequence. Reading Everything About Astronauts Vol. 2: Fascinating Fun Facts and Trivia about Astronauts for Teens and Adults will enlighten the reader about everything connected with astronauts. Marianne Jennings gives you all the information you need and much more in this book. Did you know that Houston has control of the Red Button that can be activated if the rocket goes out of control and heads toward populated areas? Do you know the difference between a pressure suit and a spacesuit? Read this book, and you will. Why is the lettering on the spacesuits backward? Let Marianne enlighten you.
Everything About Astronauts Vol. 2 is a reference book, a great read, and a tome of knowledge. Read through this book as it is interesting enough to be read like any other, or use it to look up anything about astronauts. Marianne Jennings has provided a complete text that covers all aspects of astronauts and space travel. The book is appropriately named as it includes everything. It is beyond amazing how much technology has advanced since the beginning of the space program. The photos alone make this book an excellent resource. In addition, daily activity on the space station is discussed. If you are interested in the space program, this book is for you. I highly recommend this book to all who seek knowledge on this topic. From traditions to things carried to the space station, this book has it all.
Recommend this book:
Life's a Journey
Hardships to Blessings
Colten J. Skinner
2023 Silver Medal
98 Pages
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Young Adult - Non-Fiction
Life’s a Journey: Hardships to Blessings is a motivational book by Colten J. Skinner. Having been born with A-T, a disorder affecting coordination and the immune system, Colten would go on to live a difficult life. His later bout with cancer complicated his life further. But Colten, despite it all, goes on living life to the fullest. In his book, he takes his reader down memory lane from when he was a child to an adult while sharing his experiences as someone living with A-T. Colten’s story goes on to prove that there are blessings around every corner, should you welcome them, and that your hardships can never outweigh your blessings.
Colten J. Skinner’s conversational style of writing got me invested in his story and his outlook on what living should be all about early on in Life’s a Journey. The constant positive messages sprinkled throughout the book made it even more of an endearing read for me, and Colten’s positivity during all that he went through was inspiring. His positive outlook through his battle with cancer and his will to never give up constantly motivated me to overcome my very own tribulations. Something else that I loved about the book, besides it being very motivational, was how interesting Colten’s story was. Colten has lived an amazing life and he tells it with such contagious passion that I couldn't help but join in with a smile or laugh of my own as I read. Overall, this is a must-read for anyone who’s looking for a bit of motivation in their own life.
Recommend this book:
Good Morning, Hope
A True Story of Refugee Twin Sisters and Their Triumph Over War, Poverty, and Heartbreak
Argita and Detina Zalli
2023 Gold Medal
252 Pages
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Young Adult - Non-Fiction
Good Morning, Hope: A True Story of Refugee Twin Sisters and Their Triumph Over War, Poverty, and Heartbreak by Argita and Detina Zalli is a riveting story about hope and faith. Identical twins, Gita and Deti are young schoolgirls when their country, Albania, is plunged into violence and anarchy. Their lives are forever changed while their parents attempt to escape Albania for a better future. They flee to England in a harrowing plan traversing many European countries. Gita and Deti’s journey only gets more challenging as they face extreme bullying from classmates in school while working after hours to help pay off their family’s debt. Nevertheless, the twin girls continue striving to reach their dream of becoming physicians throughout the extreme hardships.
Gita and Deti write their memoir with such suspense that we feel how uncertain their lives are and the fear accompanying them every step of the way. Yet, despite the fear, they keep going and continue thriving. Seeing their resiliency in the face of so many obstacles at such a young age is moving. Good Morning, Hope delivers the feeling that as long as you have hope and faith, everything can and will be better. Argita and Detina Zalli paint their love for their family with vivid examples throughout of where they sacrificed for each other. This is an incredibly gripping and inspirational read that left me feeling uplifted and ready to face any challenge that came my way! So get ready for a pulse-pounding action-filled journey filled with love.