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 - Science/Technology
- 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
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Recommend this book:
The S.O.U.R.C.E.
Suzanna Lou Royse
2022 Silver Medal
Audio Book
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Children - Audiobook

The S.O.U.R.C.E. is a children’s novel written for readers between the ages of 8 and 12. Created by Suzanna Lou Royse, The S.O.U.R.C.E. follows the story of a ragtag band of aquatic animals in their quest to escape Ocean World and make their way home to the sea. Simultaneously, two skaters, Ryder and Silk, make their way to the ocean on the trail of some washed-out trash. When an unexpected swell tosses the two children into the ocean, they find themselves in desperate need of some friends. It is then that these two tales converge in the unlikeliest of ways. Join Ryder, Silk, Nikki, Duster, Bubba, Rio, and many others as they realize the ocean is the source of all life on the planet, and embark on a quest to protect the sea
While listening to this story, I found The S.O.U.R.C.E. was written like a children’s version of a Walt Morey book, which is my way of paying a great compliment to the author Royse, and the way the narrative unfolds. It also had many similarities in the way the animals think and speak to the writing of C.S. Lewis in The Chronicles of Narnia. The author does a wonderful job of portraying each animal with believable characteristics while imbuing them with a human-like quality. Along with a well-written script and cleverly thought-out plot, The S.O.U.R.C.E. possesses a valuable lesson that it fleshes out for its audience. It doesn’t try to mask its true intentions and is all the better for it. I would recommend this to young readers who can finish a chapter book, though it would also be suitable for parents in need of bedtime story material. My gratitude to the author for allowing me to partake in this story which I plan to buy for my own children soon.
Narrated by Frankie Corzo, the audiobook was nicely presented, with well-paced and believable voices. The professional sound mixing by Deyan Audio provided a high-quality feel and helped the story stay fresh.
Recommend this book:
The Case of the Absent Answers
Mickey McKinney
Ruby Fink
2022 Bronze Medal
Audio Book
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Children - Audiobook

The Case of the Absent Answers: Mickie McKinney, Boy Detective is a children’s audiobook, written by R.L. Fink with narration by Hannah Edelson. This is an engaging mystery filled with humor, action, and hard-won wisdom. Mickie is a student at Maple Ridge Middle School who has dedicated himself to solving his school's ongoing mysteries--from what exactly is in some of the cafeteria food to the many cases of students with missing assignments. Mickie is a keen and observant detective who often calls upon one of his peers, Burners, for technical advice. When Sam, a new girl at the school, is implicated in a crime she may or may not have committed, Mickie takes on the case. He is determined to uncover the truth even if it leads him to some precarious situations. The matter is complicated when Tommy gets involved, an intimidating boy who often resorts to bullying others.
R.L. Fink’s The Case of the Absent Answers is an entertaining read with many laugh-out-loud moments and likable and relatable characters. In addition to being a fun and lively story, there are moments throughout that highlight positive ways to resolve conflict and deal with bullying behavior. While Mickie is investigating the case involving Sam, he is given the opportunity to do what is right and he displays courage and wisdom beyond his years, providing a great example for young readers who may likely find themselves in a similar situation. Fink captures the ups and downs of daily life in a middle school; the fun, the drama, and all the challenges. Readers will be rooting for Mickie and his friends to solve this mystery and for justice to be served. The Case of the Absent Answers is an enjoyable and highly recommended read.
The narration of The Case of the Absent Answers is excellent, clear, and concise. Hannah Edelson’s lively narration brings all the characters to life and creates a very realistic middle school atmosphere. The varying moods and emotions of Mickie and his friends are accurately captured from doubt and fear to trust and amusement, making this audiobook a fun and interesting listening experience.
Recommend this book:
The Sad Little Wildflower
Yvonne M Morgan
2022 Silver Medal
56 Pages
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Children - Christian

It was spring and there were signs of new growth everywhere. Down the road, a small shoot of green stretched upward to feel the sunshine on its leaves. She wondered what type of flower she would be, and wished to be a rose. The little plant grew and grew and one day she noticed a tinge of pink color form around her head. The little plant was so happy as she knew pink roses were beautiful, and she would soon be the envy of all the other flowers. The man thought she was a weed and wanted to remove her so the beautiful tulips would not be choked. The little flower cried and cried, and waited to see what would happen next. A voice asked the little flower why she was sad. The little flower knew it was the voice of Jesus and asked him to turn her into a rose so that people would love her. Let's read the book to find out what Jesus told her, and if the little flower would discover her purpose in life.
The Sad Little Wildflower by Yvonne M. Morgan is a beautiful story that conveys many uplifting and positive messages to young readers. The story is about self-love, self-acceptance, trust, self-belief, and finding out one's purpose in life. The illustrations are bright and colorful, and they make the story captivating to youngsters. I like the way the author gives the little flower a personality of her own as she is called the Pink Lady by Jesus. It is an uplifting and encouraging story to read out to children in classrooms and homes to help them love themselves, be happy with what they have, and also believe that everyone is unique and has their own purpose in life.
Recommend this book:
Down with the Dance
Middle School Mayhem Book 1
C.T. Walsh
2022 Bronze Medal
Kindle Edition
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Children - Coming of Age

Life is hard enough, but it gets worse when your sibling becomes your arch-nemesis. Austin and Derek Davenport are two brothers who attended Cherry Avenue Middle School. Derek was only eleven months older than his brother, and they were in the same grade. While Austin was the academic genius, Derek was the athletic icon. There was an unhealthy rivalry between the brothers, and Derek collaborated with the school principal to make Austin’s life a living hell. The Halloween dance approached, and Austin looked forward to attending with a girl he liked called Sophie. Unfortunately, Derek and the principal would rather ruin the event than see anyone happy. Can Austin thwart their plans in time for the dance? Down With The Dance by C. T. Walsh has the entire story.
Down With The Dance by C. T. Walsh is the first installment in the Middle School Mayhem Series. It was all shades of fantastic, hilarious, and educational. The book contained many pictures/caricatures that made me laugh, especially the butt chin image. However, it also explored social issues like bullying, parental shortcomings, low self-esteem, and more. I asked myself if parents could love their children equally instead of playing favorites. When does it go from keeping the peace between siblings to taking a side and emotionally damaging the other party? At what point does disciplining a student become bullying and making them a target of harassment? There was a lot to unpack in this story. I loved the lighthearted and witty first-person narrative, making the novel perfect for teenagers and middle schoolers. The plot was unique, and the storyline was realistic. I await the next installments.
Recommend this book:
The Hyrax Song
Pearls of Wisdom Series Book 2
Catherine Ann Russell, Brooke Connor
2022 Honorable Mention
Kindle Edition
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Children - Coming of Age

The Hyrax Song (Pearls of Wisdom Series Book 2) is a work of fiction in the fantasy and adventure subgenres, and it forms the second installment of the series. This work by Catherine Ann Russell and artist Brooke Connor is intended for children. We follow a series of adorable animal creatures on a quest to find the truest version of themselves in this short tale based on Biblical messages of goodwill to others. Our protagonist, the mouse Princess Journee, must band together with friends old and new to save her father’s kingdom from a dark fate that awaits. In doing so, she will encounter all different kinds of personalities and ideas and learn to embrace others with acceptance and cooperation.
I enjoy children’s works that have a clear moral message but also manage to tell a compelling story without simply turning it into another sermon or lecture on Biblical morals. Catherine Ann Russell achieves this beautifully in this succinct but memorable work that independent readers will certainly enjoy escaping into. To add to the layers of clever storytelling and positive theming, the illustrations by Brooke Connor make the story come to life for those whose imaginations need a little more of a nudge. The combined approach gives a unique personality to Journee and each of her lovable friends, making readers even more invested in the outcome of their adventures. The Hyrax Song will certainly please fans of the first work in the series, and newcomers will adore discovering a new storytelling style from a creative team with an uplifting message to share.
Recommend this book:
My Dad and the Dragon
Montserrat Coughlin Kim
2022 Honorable Mention
44 Pages
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Children - Concept

My Dad and the Dragon, written by Montserrat Coughlin Kim and illustrated by Rebekah S Cheresnick, is a children's picture book revolving around a boy called Cameron and his family in the aftermath of a cancer diagnosis. The dragon is the cancer and the family refers to it as what the father is fighting, and what they all must live with. Readers are shown all of the ways the cancer dragon can impact daily life, including loss of appetite and taste, loss of hair, and even the dad's occasional loss of temper. Cameron says he is afraid and his mother assures him that she is too. Each page of the book is fully illustrated in vibrant jewel tones and original artwork.
My wife lost her mother to cancer at a very young age and was fortunate that the family was completely transparent about what was happening. My Dad and the Dragon has this transparency as well and Montserrat Coughlin Kim gives children something they can understand and attach the cancer to without sugar-coating it and giving promises about everything being okay. Because sadly, often it is not okay. I got choked up when one of the children expressed denial and their mother assured them that the doctors did a lot of tests, and it was definitely the cancer dragon. It is compassionate and honest, and it is really beautiful. The illustrations by Rebekah S Cheresnick breathe life into the family, their home, and the cancer dragon. I loved the emotion conveyed and the depiction of both good days and not so good days. Cancer is a difficult subject and is especially hard for children to process. This story and the resources provided are a wonderful way to take some of the edge off. Very highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
Sammy the Seahorse
Is He a Horse or Is He a Fish?
Martha Driscoll & Ann Driscoll
2022 Gold Medal
32 Pages
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Children - Educational

Sammy the Seahorse: Is He a Horse or Is He a Fish? by Martha and Ann Driscoll is a colorful informational picture book. The Syngnathidae family of fish includes leafy sea dragons, pipefish, and sea horses. Sammy is a common seahorse who lives in a coral reef. Along with Sammy, we are introduced to multiple residents of his warm-water coral reef. Sammy is not your typical fish; he has several unique features like instead of swimming horizontally he swims vertically. Many other unusual aspects of seahorses are discussed, from their tails to the fact that males incubate the eggs. Included at the end of the book are things kids can do to help protect endangered seahorses.
Martha and Ann Driscoll have written a fascinating book chock full of interesting facts about seahorses. Even as an adult I learned some things such as every seahorse's coronet (the spines on top of their heads) is unique like a snowflake. I was immediately immersed in Sammy's undersea world and loved learning about all the many kinds of fish included in the Syngnathidae family. Sammy the Seahorse is a perfect introduction for kids just starting to write reports. The illustrations by Susan Andra Lion are outstanding and detailed. Kids will spend hours looking at all the different sea creatures and seahorses. As a bonus, there are hidden pictures on several pages. Sammy the Seahorse is an outstanding educational book that will delight all lovers of the ocean.
Recommend this book:
A Garden Home for Normy the Gnome
Cindy Shirley
2022 Gold Medal
38 Pages
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Children - Fable

Did you know gnomes are magical? In fact, it is believed that “gnomes bring a touch of magic to any garden they live in.” So why would someone throw away a gnome garden ornament? Margaret lived alone and spent most of her time tending her beautiful garden, with her trusty dog, Daisy. She was surprised to find a gnome discarded at a local garden center. Since she didn’t have any ornaments in her garden, and she was quite taken with the little gnome, she carried it to her car, planning to clean it up and repaint it so it looked as good as new. The events that transpired next were nothing short of pure magic: “She was in awe. The garden was beyond beautiful. It was magical.” The gnome, who she discovered by a name written on its shoe was Normy, had found his forever home with Margaret and Daisy in the beautiful garden they tended.
Cindy Shirley’s picture book story, A Garden Home for Normy the Gnome, is as magical as the gnome itself. This whimsical story was inspired by her beloved grandmother who loved to garden and often won awards and local recognition for both her garden and what she grew in it. Written in simple language so young readers can follow along, this tender, compassionate story is all about believing in and caring for the magic that is all around us, thanks to Mother Nature. The plot is a journey of discovery, unexpected friendships, and adorable characters. The illustrations are bright, colorful, and spectacular, certainly adding to the magical element of the story. Beautifully told with love and compassion. I always enjoy a good gardening story, especially if the story includes a dog.
Recommend this book:
The First Unibear
Kathleen J. Shields
2022 Silver Medal
48 Pages
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Children - Fable

Little Bear loves to run and play. He chases birds, climbs trees, and is so curious about the world. One day, while Little Bear went exploring, he spotted a butterfly and followed it to a clearing where he found a horse that was stuck. Little Bear hurried to help the horse and set him free, but once he set the horse free, he realized that it was no ordinary horse. It was a unicorn, but not everyone could see it. Little Bear was brave and kind so he could see the unicorn. Little Bear went back and told his friends, but not everyone believed him. Bunny believed and prayed that she could meet a unicorn too. So Little Bear and Bunny continued to go about helping other animals that needed it and one day something amazing happened. Little Bear and his friend Bunny were brave and kind and you can be too.
Kathleen Shields's The First Unibear is a wonderful children's adventure story that promotes kindness, bravery, and faith in the goodness of others. The illustrations are done by Aashay Utkarsh and they are vibrant and captivating for young readers. The story flows with a rhyme scheme that is catchy and perfect for reading to children. The First Unibear is a great, imaginative children's story that encourages compassion and helpfulness to others and the belief that we can all achieve goodness. The First Unibear is an inspirational tale that would be a great addition to any child's library.
Recommend this book:
The Tale Of Brian And The House Painter Mervyn
a fable for children and their parents
Lance Lee, Illustrated by Meilo So
2022 Bronze Medal
68 Pages
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Children - Fable

Brian is the son of the richest man in Sandstone-by-the-Sea but he is stricken with a mysterious illness and not even his brothers, sisters, and friends are allowed to visit him. After Brian’s mysterious disease was diagnosed, he spent most of his time in a bare white room, on a bare white bed, unable to play or even read. It all changed one day when his father hired Mervyn who paints a whole, new wonderful world. What adventures will these beautiful paintings bring Brian? Find out in The Tale Of Brian And The House Painter Mervyn, a fable for children and their parents by Lance Lee and illustrated by Meilo So.
The Tale Of Brian And The House Painter Mervyn is a fantastical story that starts with a sick and sad little boy named Brian. Through his meeting with growling, grumpy Mervyn, Brian is taken on an amazing adventure through the world of art, both literally and figuratively. Lance Lee paints vivid scenes that are as colorful and mesmerizing as the art that accompanies the story. Mervyn is standoffish, unlikeable, but he paints the most beautiful scenery and his art comes to life, bringing joy and awe to those who see it. Meilo So brings life to the story in the same way Mervyn does. The colorful art accompanies the fantastical fable and together they create a magical vision of the book. But of course, such great powers have consequences and the story delves deeper into the effect this has on the people and the community. Along the way, people learn the consequences of their actions and greed and I think their regret and redemption were the best parts of the plot! This story successfully kept my attention right to the very end and, overall, I found this to be an exceptional book. Great work!