2022 Winners


 
 

PRINTED BOOKS

Grand Prize Winner:

The Chocolate Clouds by Marc Remus


$100 Drawing Winner:

The Stress Book: Forty-Plus Ways to Manage Stress & Enjoy Your Life  by D. Terrence Foster, MD


Aging/Senior Living

1st Place:

  • More Dammit ... It IS Menopause! Meditations for Women to Achieve Clarity and Confidence Beyond Their Wildest Dreams, Volume 2 by Sally Bartlett

Animals/Pets

1st Place (tie):

  • Pawprints On Our Hearts: How A Few Incredible Dogs Changed One Life Forever by Kerk Murray

  • Alycat and the Cattywampus Wednesday by Alysson Foti Bourque, illustrated by Chiara Civati

2nd Place:

  • The Ick Erros: Zoom Barrier Reef by Cal Devney, illustrated by Veronika Hipolito

Honorable Mention:

  • Lulu the Unstoppable Dancing Dog by Marie Dimitrova, illustrated by Romi Caron

  • Rabbit at the Sliding Door: Chloe’s Story by Denise Lee Branco

  • Max the Potato Beetle by Charlie Golding, illustrated by Adriana DelCarlo and Marie Lilles

  • My Furry Little Brother Weathers His Fears by Nikisha Rabess

Audiobooks

1st Place:

  • Spacemaker: how to unplug, unwind and think clearly in the digital age by Daniel Sih    

2nd Place:

  • Icky Berg, An Iceberg Tale by Tracy Detz

Honorable Mention:

  • Crop Burner: The Tale of Fearn & The Deamhon by Gavin Black

  • Empathic Mastery: A 5-Step System to Go from Emotional Hot Mess to Thriving Success by Jennifer Elizabeth Moore

         

Best Cover Design

1st Place:

  • Bravo Anjali by Sheetal Sheth, illustrated by Lucia Soto

2nd Place:

  • Zen (and Rage) and the Art of a Never-Ending Home Renovation by Marcia Formica

Honorable Mention:

  • Bentley’s Dream by Sandra Harry and Catherine Lawson, illustrated by Nikki Boetger

  • Roku & Tanza by Whitney L. Anderson

  • The Big Day by Terry Lee Caruthers, illustrated by Robert Casilla

  • The Gingerbread Twins by Renee Hayes, illustrated by Darby Scebold

  • You Finished Treatment Now What? A Field Guide for Cancer Survivors by Dr. Amy Rothenberg

  • Crossing the Ford by Gail Hertzog

  • Star’s Purpose: An Air Force Mission by Krista Betcher, illustrated by Brian Schmidt





Best Illustrations/Photography

1st Place (tie):

  • Blueberry Blue Bubble by Carrie Sharkey Asner, illustrated by Marcin Piwowarski

  • Bravo Anjali by Sheetal Sheth, illustrated by Lucia Soto

2nd Place:

  • Bentley’s Dream by Sandra Harry and Catherine Lawson, illustrated by Nikki Boetger

Honorable Mention: 

  • A Sense of You by Luc Midnight, illustrated by John Reid

  • Gaining Her Strength: Butterfly Princess Book 3 by Alisa Hope Wagner, illustrated by Albert Morales

  • Roku & Tanza by Whitney L. Anderson

  • The Gingerbread Twins by Renee Hayes, illustrated by Darby Scebold

  • Crossing the Ford by Gail Hertzog

  • Lulu the Unstoppable Dancing Dog by Marie Dimitrova, illustrated by Romi Caron

  • Bias Is All Around You: A Handbook for Inspecting Social Media & News Stories by Erik Bean, illustrated by Gail Gorske

  • Papalote: The Butterfly Goddess by F. M. Barrera

  • Tex the Explorer Journey to the Oceans by Ellie Smith, illustrated by Eyen Johnson

  • Sincerely, Little Fox by Mr. Noun

  • Star’s Purpose: An Air Force Mission by Krista Betcher, illustrated by Brian Schmidt

  • My Quiet Friends by John Reid

  • The Magic Toothbrush by Marlene Bryenton, illustrated by Leanne Bowlan

  • Inhabiting Bliss by Kathleen Kinkopf





Best Interior Design

1st Place:

  • The Big Day by Terry Lee Caruthers, illustrated by Robert Casilla

2nd Place:

  • Crossing the Ford by Gail Hertzog

Honorable Mention:

  • Inhabiting Bliss by Kathleen Kinkopf





Biography/Autobiography/Memoir

1st Place (tie):

  • Black, White, And Gray All Over; A Black Man’s Odyssey in Life and Law Enforcement by Frederick Reynolds

  • Pawprints on Our Hearts: How A Few Incredible Dogs Changed One Life Forever by Kerk Murray

  • Rue’s Butterfly by Donna McCart Welser

  • The Angle of Flickering Light by Gina Troisi

  • The Home for Friendless Children by C.L. Olsen

Honorable Mention:

  • Off Our Chests: A Candid Tour Through the World of Cancer by John Marshall and Liza Marshall

  • Zen (and Rage) and the Art of a Never-Ending Home Renovation by Marcia Formica

  • Opening the Door: My Journey Through Anorexia to Full Recovery by Meredith O’Brien

  • Slow Dancing with Fire: a memoir of resilience by Brahna Yassky

  • Ever Vigilant: Tales of the Vietnam War by Michael J. Hebert

  • Groove Found, Susan’s Business Journey by Susan P. Butler

  • Truth is Indestructible by Stuart Nagero

  • I, Quirky Girl by Autumn Simmons





Business & Finance

1st Place (tie):

  • Metronomics: One United System to Grow up Your Team, Company, and Life by Shannon Susko

  • Non-Obvious Megatrends: How to See What Others Miss and Predict the Future by Rohit Bhargava

  • RetireSmart ll-The Gig Economy by Mark Anthony Grimaldi

2nd Place:

  • Unmuted: How to Show Up, Speak Up and Inspire Action by Heather Hansen

Honorable Mention:

  • The Transparent Sales Leader: How the Power of Sincerity, Science & Structure Can Transform Your Sales Team’s Results by Todd Caponi

  • Skills: The Common Denominator by Asha Aravindakshan

  • Smell the Bacon, Charlie! A CEO’s Guide to Implementing Organizational Change by Robert J. Haworth





Children’s Activity Books

1st Place:

  • My Little Angel Coloring Book by Sherrill Cannon, illustrated by KJ Kalpart

2nd Place:

  • Kara Koala and Her Kaleidoscope of Feelings Activity Book by Kara Marziali





Children’s Chapter Books

1st Place (tie):

  • Time Wheel by Rosemary DeTrolio

  • Turning the Corner by Ruozhen Ma

2nd Place (tie):

  • An Instrument for Florenda by Tomeko Brown and Christopher Smallwood

  • The Ick Erros: Zoom Barrier Reef by Cal Devney, illustrated by Veronika Hipolito

Honorable Mention:

  • Koko and Friends: The Long Shots by Clara West

  • Becky Chalmers Beautified by Diane Campbell Green

  • The Hoop Troop by Sasha Forman and Dana Mason Forman, illustrated by Samantha Caponera

  • Enchanted Menehune Tales: Of Gods and Little People by F. M. Barrera

  • Julie’s Big Day by Pauli Libsohn

  • Penelope Causes an Uproar by Pauli Libsohn

  • Penelope’s New Bed by Pauli Libsohn

  • I’d Rather Be a Kid, signed Becky Chalmers by Diane Campbell Green

  • Betty Ann by Rachel Woolsey

  • How Penelope Learned There Really Is a Santa Claus by Pauli Libsohn





Children’s Nonfiction

1st Place:

  • I Love You to the Sun and Beyond by Michelle Medlock Adams and Cecil Stokes, illustrated by Jonathan Bouw

2nd Place:

  • Second Chance by Beverly Barad, illustrated by Kathrina Iris

Honorable Mention: 

  • Carlito Pizarras: Hero of the Tarsiers by Christine L. Villa, illustrated by Nonisel Sipalay

  • Ready to Dance!! by Tara Rao, illustrated by Priya Krishnan Das

  • When We All Get Together by Heather Bradley

  • My Travel Alphabet: 26 Magical Places on Earth by AK Ratti, illustrated by Claudie C. Bergeron

  • Big Love by Louie Flores





Children’s Poetry Books

1st Place:

  • Is a Smile Just a Smile by Jenny Lichty, illustrated by Veronika Hipolito

2nd Place:

  • Gaining Her Strength: Butterfly Princess Book 3 by Alisa Hope Wagner, illustrated by Albert Morales

Honorable Mention: 

  • The Amazing Glass House by Susan Beth Furst, illustrated by Jiliane Vilches

  • Thinking of Nature: a mindfulness book for kids by Amy Mucci

  • Searching for Gold by M. Doshi, illustrated by Rachelle Holloway

  • All Life Matters by Mary Lynne Zahler

  • The Crink by M. Doshi, illustrated by Lara Calleja

  • The Whale and the Star by Lexi DeSollar

              

Coffee Table & Gift Books

1st Place:

  • Larry’s Words of Wisdom by Barbara Renner

2nd Place:

  • Rabbit at the Sliding Door: Chloe’s Story by Denise Lee Branco

Honorable Mention: 

  • Star’s Purpose: An Air Force Mission by Krista Betcher, illustrated by Brian Schmidt





Collection of Short Stories

1st Place:

  • Stumbling Through Adulthood: Linked Stories by John Sheirer

2nd Place:

  • Forgotten Fables and Legends of Ancient Earth by F. M. Barrera

Honorable Mention: 

  • Music Notes: Tales from an American Singer by J.J. Maze, illustrated by Ryan PrakosoCultural Diversity

  • 1st Place: Moment by Robert Abad

  • 2nd Place: Two Times Removed: An Anthology of Indo-Caribbean Fiction by Tiara Chutkhan, illustrated by Chelsi Bhagan

  • Honorable Mention:

  • Plague of Flies: Revolt of the Spirits, 1846 by Laurel Anne Hill     

  • Yep, That's My Mommy by Jean Mountain, illustrated by Ashley Finch





Cultural Diversity

1st Place:

  • Maria and the Magic of the Rainbow by Suzanna Royse

2nd Place (tie):

  • Unbelonging by Gayatri Sethi

  • Dragonfly Escaping by Raya Khedker

Honorable Mention: 

  • Humo the Tortilla Making Dragon by F. M. Barrera

  • Tia Lugo Speaks No Evil by Danette Vigilante

  • Finding Socksville by Jan Boydstun and Jim Brackman

  • Mama Cheva and the Dragon’s Egg by F. M. Barrera

  • Ready to Dance!! by Tara Rao, illustrated by Priya Krishnan Das

  • Beyond Diversity: 12 Non-Obvious Ways to Build A More Inclusive World by Rohit Bhargava and Jennifer Brown

  • Danielle: Chronicles of a Superhero by Raymond Kurzweil, illustrated by Amy Kurzweil

  • Maral & Lupita: A Celebration of Friendship by Judith A. Verduzco and Maral Pushian Sultanian





Education

1st Place:

  • Plan Like a Pirate by Dawn Harris

2nd Place:

  • Reexamining the Federal Role in Higher Education: Politics and Policymaking in the Postsecondary Sector by Rebecca Natow

Honorable Mention: 

  • Let’s Believe in Mr. NA by Timothy Guan, illustrated by Angela Tsai

  • Bias Is All Around You: A Handbook for Inspecting Social Media & News Stories by Erik Bean, illustrated by Gail Gorske

  • One School’s Journey: Further Down the Path by Eleanor K. Smith and Margaret Pastor

  • Addison Braves Brazil by Laura James, illustrated by Jasmine Smith

  • Addison’s Abrupt Adventures by Laura James, illustrated by Marilyn Jacobson





Fiction: Novel

1st Place:

  • To Pay Paul by Michael Scott Curnes

2nd Place:

  • Burning Bright: Book Two of The Rise and Fall of Dani Truehart series by Michele Kwasniewski

Honorable Mention: 

  • Gemini Divided by Lauren Roberts

  • Lightning Butterflies by Jim H. Darnell, Jr.

  • Rising Star: Book One of The Rise and Fall of Dani Truehart series by Michele Kwasniewski

  • Dragonfly Escaping by Raya Khedker





Food-Related

1st Place:

  • Modern Cast Iron: The Complete Guide to Selecting, Seasoning, Cooking, & More by Ashley L. Jones

General

1st Place (tie):

  • Burning Bright: Book Two of The Rise and Fall of Dani Truehart series by Michele Kwasniewski

  • Dragonfly Escaping by Raya Khedker

2nd Place:

  • Rising Star: Book One of The Rise and Fall of Dani Truehart series by Michele Kwasniewski

Honorable Mention: 

  • Unmuted: How to Show Up, Speak Up and Inspire Action by Heather Hansen

  • In Black and White by Cary Hendrix, Jr.





Graphic Novel

Honorable Mention:

  • Max the Potato Beetle by Charlie Golding, illustrated by Adriana DelCarlo and Marie Lilles





Green Books/Environmental

1st Place:

  • To Pay Paul by Michael Scott Curnes

2nd Place:

  • THE S.O.U.R.C.E. by Suzanna Royse, illustrated by Jo Gershman and Tara Larsen Chang

Honorable Mention: 

  • Sakari’s Adventure Under The Sea by Ashley Nevison

  • Papalote: The Butterfly Goddess by F. M. Barrera

Health, Diet, Nutrition

1st Place:

  • My Unexpected Life: An International Memoir of Two Pandemics, HIV and COVID-19 by Martina Clark

2nd Place:

  • You Finished Treatment Now What? A Field Guide for Cancer Survivors by Dr. Amy Rothenberg

Honorable Mention: 

  • Lulu the Unstoppable Dancing Dog by Marie Dimitrova

  • More Dammit ... It IS Menopause! Meditations for Women to Achieve Clarity and Confidence Beyond Their Wildest Dreams, Volume 2 by Sally Bartlett

  • Choose Life by Christine Thomas Doran, illustrated by Bob O’Brien

  • Maddie’s Choice by Christine Thomas Doran, illustrated by 

  • Nancy Van Buren





Historical Fiction

1st Place:

  • Journey of the Cheyenne Warrior by Kathleen Gibbs

2nd Place:

  • Orkney: a Novel by Maggie Toner

Honorable Mention: 

  • Crossing the Ford by Gail Hertzog

  • Ernie’s Bleachers by Tim Pareti

  • Last Real Cowboy by Kathleen Gibbs





Holiday

1st Place:

  • POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance by Neil Goldberg and Niko Nickolaou, illustrated by John Kelly

2nd Place:

  • Rosie Finds Her Shine by Megan Rogers, illustrated by Megan Wilson

Honorable Mention: 

  • Howie’s Broken Hee-Haw by Josie Siler, illustrated by Sebastien Braun

  • Rabbit at the Sliding Door: Chloe’s Story by Denise Lee Branco

  • Christmas Begins with Christ by Gina Kirkland, illustrated by Marissa Napolitano





How-To

1st Place:

  • E Non-Obvious Guide to Marketing & Branding (Without a Big Budget) by Rohit Bhargava

2nd Place:

  • The Stress Book: Forty-Plus Ways to Manage Stress & Enjoy Your Life by D. Terrence Foster, MD





Humor

1st Place:

  • Zen (and Rage) and the Art of a Never-Ending Home Renovation by Marcia Formica

2nd Place:

  • Ready Steady SAIL! by J. C. Perry

Honorable Mention: 

  • I, Quirky Girl by Autumn Simmons

  • My Very Punny Dad by Ryan Milligan, illustrated by Justin Castaneda





Letters, Journals, Diaries

1st Place:

  • Dammit ... It IS Menopause! Meditations for Women to Achieve Clarity and Confidence Beyond Their Wildest Dreams Volume 1 by Sally Bartlett





LGBTQ+

1st Place (tie):

  • To Pay Paul by Michael Scott Curnes

  • Dragonfly Escaping by Raya Khedker

2nd Place:

  • The Diary of Baby Chulo by Frankie Barrera





Middle Grade Fiction

1st Place (tie):

  • ALT/ ESC/ F13 by Dane Myers

  • Danielle: Chronicles of a Superhero by Raymond Kurzweil, illustrated by Amy Kurzweil 

  • I Am Andi by J.R. Balthazar

  • Maria and the Magic of the Rainbow by Suzanna Royse

  • Paws in Paris: The Adventures of Tenny and Bella by Elizabeth Grieco

  • The Chocolate Clouds by Marc Remus

2nd Place (tie):

  • The Faithful Dog by Terry Lee Caruthers

  • Tia Lugo Speaks No Evil by Danette Vigilante

  • Trapped in a Hot Air Balloon by Mark Wainwright

  • Turning the Corner by Ruozhen Ma

Honorable Mention:

  • Flower Power 2: Friendship Rules by Judy Lindquist

  • THE S.O.U.R.C.E. by Suzanna Royse, illustrated by Jo Gershman and Tara Larsen Chang

  • A Nose Apart by Deborah Edmisten

  • A Nose Apart: The Second Adventure by Deborah Edmisten

  • The Hoop Troop by Sasha Forman and Dana Mason Forman, illustrated by Samantha Caponera

  • Arctic Dinosaurs of Alaska by Bonnye Matthews, illustrated by Jacques Polome





Military

1st Place:

  • Star’s Purpose: An Air Force Mission by Krista Betcher, illustrated by Brian Schmidt





Mystery

1st Place:

  • Life and Death at Zoo Arroyo by Betty Jean Craige

2nd Place:

  • By the Water: A Collage of Short Murders by Kelly Artieri

Honorable Mention:

  • Gemini Divided by Lauren Roberts





New Author: Fiction

1st Place (tie):

  • Discovery of the Five Senses by K.N. Smith

  • The Younglings: Shadows & Magic by Helena M. Craggs

  • Turning the Corner by Ruozhen Ma

2nd Place (tie):

  • Artist: Awakening the Spirit Within by Jocelyn Jones

  • Immortal Wounds by Angie Barton

Honorable Mention:

  • Butterfly Love From Above by Melissa Stuart

  • Of Slaves and Exiles : All the Queen’s Men Book I by Margaret Gaffney

  • The Ick Erros: Zoom Barrier Reef by Cal Devney, illustrated by Veronika Hipolito

  • Bentley’s Dream by Sandra Harry and Catherine Lawson, illustrated by Nikki Boetger

  • Howie’s Broken Hee-Haw by Josie Siler, illustrated by Sebastien Braun

  • The Gingerbread Twins by Renee Hayes, illustrated by Darby Scebold

  • Crossing the Ford by Gail Hertzog

  • Dragonfly Escaping by Raya Khedker

  • Gemini Divided by Lauren Roberts

  • Mrs. Noah by Patti Richards, illustrated by Alice Pieroni

  • A Star Upon A Dream by Kendall T. Newell, illustrated by Salvador Capuyan

  • K Is for Kindness by Rina Horiuchi, illustrated by Risa Horiuchi

  • Ready to Dance!! by Tara Rao, illustrated by Priya Krishnan Das

  • Twin Adventures by TK Sohal, illustrated by Ms. Raman Kaur

  • H is for Hunting by Kimberly Ondriska, illustrated by Siddhant Jumde


New Author: Nonfiction

1st Place (tie):

  • Black, White, And Gray All Over; A Black Man’s Odyssey in Life and Law Enforcement by Frederick Reynolds

  • Pawprints On Our Hearts: How A Few Incredible Dogs Changed One Life Forever by Kerk Murray

2nd Place:

  • When Love Sticks Around by Danielle Dayney

Honorable Mention:

  • Zen (and Rage) and the Art of a Never-Ending Home Renovation by Marcia Formica

  • Mom’s Not Wipin’ Your Bum by Lin Hawthorne, illustrated by Stevie Mahardhika

  • Spacemaker - how to unplug, unwind and think clearly in the digital age by Daniel Sih

  • Far from Home: Discovering Your Identity as Foreigners on Earth by Mabel Ninan

  • Smell the Bacon, Charlie! A CEO’s Guide to Implementing Organizational Change by Robert J. Haworth

  • Because of You, I Lost Everything! by Jim H. Darnell, Jr.

  • Dog Love by Katelyn Ward, illustrated by Maja Ranisavljev





Other Nonfiction

1st Place:

  • The Stress Book: Forty-Plus Ways to Manage Stress & Enjoy Your Life by D. Terrence Foster, MD





Parenting

1st Place:

  • Create a Home of Learning: Screen Free Toys and Techniques for Your Developing Child, 0-8 Years by Jodi Dee

2nd Place:

  • Blended Families: Recipes for Success by Barbara Peters





Performing Arts

1st Place:

  • Lulu the Unstoppable Dancing Dog by Marie Dimitrova, illustrated by Romi Caron

2nd Place:

  • Waiting in the Wings: How to Launch Your Performing Career on Broadway and Beyond by Tiffany Haas





Picture Books 5 & Younger

1st Place (tie):

  • Blueberry Blue Bubble by Carrie Sharkey Asner, illustrated by Marcin Piwowarski

  • Dilly Duck Plays All Day by Holly DiBella-McCarthy, illustrated by Pradyut Chatterjee

  • How Wonderfully Odd! by Rory Haltmaier

  • I Will Always Be Proud of You by Michael Wong, illustrated by Zina Iugai

  • Now What? by Brenda Faatz, illustrated by Peter Trimarco

2nd place (tie):

  • Silly Sam The Elf by Angela Lindsey, illustrated by Luis Peres

  • Teaky Squeaker’s Greatest Plan by Michal Pasternak, illustrated by Armand Silvani

  • Value What’s Within: Moe & Ollie Explore Body Diversity by Christine Reynebeau

  • Wolves Aren’t Welcome by Cheryl Benner, illustrated by Jeffrey Ebbeler

Honorable Mention:

  • Our God is Bigger Than That! by Michelle Medlock Adams and Eva Marie Everson, illustrated by Anna Jones

  • The Very Small Seed by Lynn Van Allen, illustrated by Jay Cook

  • The World of Colors by Amina Ahmadi

  • Emily Bean and the Flying Machine by Genevieve McLaughlin, illustrated by Mykhail Ridkous

  • Emily Bean and the Ocean Marine by Genevieve McLaughlin, illustrated by Mykhail Ridkous

  • My Tiny Pet Elephant by Jessica Dailey, illustrated by Gabby Correia

  • Mom’s Not Wipin’ Your Bum by Lin Hawthorne, illustrated by Stevie Mahardhika

  • Please Get Your Shoe off My Brother! by Larry Gotterer, illustrated by Coraline Tran

  • Bubbles by Sarah Vizzard, illustrated by Lynsey Hilton

  • Harry Goes to Heaven by Jane Sayre Denny

  • Lulu the Unstoppable Dancing Dog by Marie Dimitrova, illustrated by Romi Caron

  • The Dragon who Caught a Cold by Liam Murphy

  • If I Could Ride a Train by Heidi Koland

  • Waddles the Duck: Hey, Wait for Me! by Linda Wilson, illustrated by Nancy Batra

  • What If There Was No School! by Andalous Ibrahim

  • K Is for Kindness by Rina Horiuchi, illustrated by Risa Horiuchi

  • Show Day by Rae Rankin, illustrated by J- San

  • The Conscious Baby’s Alphabet by Amy Masinelli

  • Freddie The Fruit Fly by Zane Stuart, illustrated by Liz Sharp

  • Ava LoRay Wants to Play by Jessica Quarnstrom, illustrated by Gabriela Dieppa

  • Brady and the Backyard Monster by Pattie Manente, illustrated by Olena Kharkovenko

  • Country Summers with Nanna by Quisetter White, illustrated by Amy Rottinger

  • Swish’s Mobile Dilemna by Matthias Krug

  • Tex the Explorer Journey to the Oceans by Ellie Smith, illustrated by Eyen Johnson

  • Searching for Gold by M. Doshi, illustrated by Rachelle Holloway

  • Finding Love by Elizabethann Moore, illustrated by Holly LaRocca

  • Grandma is Acting Funny: The Early Stage: A Children’s View of Alzheimer’s by Lori Aden and Sheila Parsley, illustrated by Connie Swiderski

  • The Toothbrush Circus by Alina Loux

  • Christmas Begins With Christ by Gina Kirkland, illustrated by Marissa Napolitano

  • A Farm Animals’ Day At The Fair by Deborah Bailey and Stephanie Matolyak

  • The Crink by M. Doshi, illustrated by Lara Calleja

  • The Whale and the Star by Lexi DeSollar

  • Giraffe Has a Bug by Robert DiDonato

  • Sounds of The Desert by Anna Hill, illustrated by Dru Hill

  • To Serve and Protect by Leslea Wahl, illustrated by Amy Klein

  • A Pocket Full of Love by Joe Starling


Picture Books 6 & Older

1st Place (tie):

  • Bravo Anjali by Sheetal Sheth, illustrated by Lucia Soto

  • Fly High: Understanding Grief with God’s Help by Michelle Medlock Adams and Janet K. Johnson, illustrated by Beth Snider

  • How Wonderfully Odd! by Rory Haltmaier

  • Humo the Tortilla Making Dragon by F. M. Barrera

  • Now What? by Brenda Faatz, illustrated by Peter Trimarco

  • POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance by Neil Goldberg and Niko Nickolaou, illustrated by John Kelly

2nd Place (tie):

  • Teaky Squeaker’s Greatest Plan by Michal Pasternak, illustrated by Armand Silvani

    The Magic of Daydreaming by Kyra Kalweit, illustrated by Dayán Mantecón Roldán

  • A Yoga Storytelling Adventure: Peace and Quiet by Kathe Hudson and Melanie Moyer

  • Alycat and the Cattywampus Wednesday by Alysson Foti Bourque, illustrated by Chiara Civati

Honorable Mention:

  • Paddock by Winfield Murray, illustrated by H. H. Pax

  • The Lonely Pup by Iris Shay Reese

  • Bentley’s Dream by Sandra Harry and Catherine Lawson, illustrated by Nikki Boetger

  • Butterfly Grandma: Critters! by Mary Ann Falter, illustrated by Keith Falter

  • Welcome to Planet Positive by Susan Ross, illustrated by Jessica Pavelock

  • Gaining Her Strength: Butterfly Princess Book 3 by Alisa Hope Wagner, illustrated by Albert Morales

  • Embarrassing George by Kimber Fox Morgan, illustrated by Jessica Kwan

  • Let’s Believe in Mr. NA by Timothy Guan, illustrated by Angela Tsai

  • The Amazing Glass House by Susan Beth Furst, illustrated by Jiliane Vilches

  • The Big Day by Terry Lee Caruthers, illustrated by Robert Casilla

  • Dury Durian, A Fruit So Unpleasantly Sweet by B.J. Seow, illustrated by Qatrun Faiz

  • The Gingerbread Twins by Renee Hayes, illustrated by Darby Scebold

  • Lulu the Unstoppable Dancing Dog by Marie Dimitrova, illustrated by Romi Caron

  • Mrs. Noah by Patti Richards, illustrated by Alice Pieroni

  • Nelly the Jelly and Camille the Eel Find the Lost City of Atlantis by John DeGuire, MD 

  • Nelly the Jelly and Camille the Eel’s Deep Sea Adventure by John DeGuire, MD and Hendrix Nash Hackett

  • Nelly the Jelly and Camille the Eel’s Outer Space Adventure by John DeGuire, MD 

  • Ready Steady SAIL! by J. C. Perry

  • Saving Mother Nature by Michael Streight, illustrated by Emily Snyder

  • Julie’s Big Day by Pauli Libsohn

  • Penelope Causes An Uproar by Pauli Rose Libsohn

  • Penelope’s New Bed by Pauli Libsohn

  • The Ace Compeers: The Secrets of Skin Colour by Rita Bhandari, illustrated by Indra Audipriatna

  • Earthly Angel The Pandemic Through The Eyes of Michael by Carolyn Benjamin

  • Finding Socksville by Jan Boydstun and Jim Brackman

  • Where Hands Go: Body Safety Rules by Krystaelynne Sanders Diggs, illustrated by Ananta Mohanta

  • Twin Adventures by TK Sohal, illustrated by Ms. Raman Kaur

  • Freddie The Fruit Fly by Zane Stuart, illustrated by Liz Sharp

  • Shug & Friends Presents: I Like Me! by Quisetter White and Dominique Brevard, illustrated by Amy Rottinger

  • Brady and the Backyard Monster by Pattie Manente, illustrated by Olena Kharkovenko

  • The Big Birthday for Blue Whale by Jane Hlavaty

  • Katya’s Sunflowers by Julie Fox, illustrated by Barbara Owczarek

  • Tex the Explorer Journey to the Oceans by Ellie Smith, illustrated by Eyen Johnson

  • Searching for Gold by M. Doshi, illustrated by Rachelle Holloway

  • A Farm Animals’ Day at The Fair by Deborah Bailey and Stephanie Matolyak

  • Addison Braves Brazil by Laura James, illustrated by Jasmine Smith

  • Addison’s Abrupt Adventures by Laura James, illustrated by Marilyn Jacobson

  • Star’s Purpose: An Air Force Mission by Krista Betcher, illustrated by Brian Schmidt

  • The Crink by M. Doshi, illustrated by Lara Calleja

  • Zeeko, The Bunny Who Lost His Way by Nita Brady, illustrated by Ruth McKinsey

  • Frank and Taffy’s Cheesy Biscuit Mystery by Georgianna Pfost, illustrated by Mara Erika Licardo

  • I Am One with the Universe by Kyra Kalweit, illustrated by Dayán Mantecón Roldán

  • Papa the Shoemaker by Kyra Kalweit, illustrated by Dayán Mantecón Roldán

  • How Penelope Learned There Really Is a Santa Claus by Pauli Rose Libsohn





Poetry

1st Place:

  • A Sense of You by Luc Midnight, illustrated by John Reid

2nd Place:

  • Only by Rebecca Foust

Honorable Mention:

  • Previously Owned by Nathan McClain

  • More Poems About Money by Daniel Wolff

  • Healing Yesterday’s Tears: An Inspiring Poetry Book about Overcoming Emotion and Discovering Love of Self by Kyli Santiago

  • When You’re Deep in a Thing by Anthony Cappo

  • Mud Ajar by Hiram Larew





Politics

1st Place:

  • Reexamining the Federal Role in Higher Education: Politics and Policymaking in the Postsecondary Sector by Rebecca Natow





Psychology

1st Place:

The Stress Book: Forty-Plus Ways to Manage Stress & Enjoy Your Life by D. Terrence Foster, MD





Relationships

1st Place:

  • Co-Crazy: One Psychologist’s Recovery from Codependency and Addiction - A Memoir and Roadmap to Freedom by Sarah Michaud

2nd Place (tie):

  • Rue’s Butterfly by Donna McCart Welser

  • Dragonfly Escaping by Raya Khedker

Honorable Mention: 

  • Zen (and Rage) and the Art of a Never-Ending Home Renovation by Marcia Formica

  • A Star Upon A Dream by Kendall T. Newell, illustrated by Salvador Capuyan

  • From Where I Stand by Caroline Goldberg Igra

  • A Pocket Full of Love by Joe Starling





Religion/Spirituality

1st Place:

  • Our God is Bigger Than That! by Michelle Medlock Adams and Eva Marie Everson, illustrated by Anna Jones

2nd Place:

  • Artist: Awakening the Spirit Within by Jocelyn Jones

Honorable Mention: 

  • Howie’s Broken Hee-Haw by Josie Siler, illustrated by Sebastien Braun

  • Spacemaker - how to unplug, unwind and think clearly in the digital age by Daniel Sih

  • Far from Home: Discovering Your Identity as Foreigners on Earth by Mabel Ninan

  • The Conscious Baby’s Alphabet by Amy Masinelli

  • Christmas Begins With Christ by Gina Kirkland, illustrated by Marissa Napolitano

  • Lightning Butterflies by Jim H. Darnell, Jr.





Romance

1st Place:

  • Crossing the Ford by Gail Hertzog





Science & Technology

1st Place:

  • Danielle: Chronicles of a Superhero by Raymond Kurzweil, illustrated by Amy Kurzweil

2nd Place:

  • Valor & Victor and The Zombies From Earth by Tracy Detz

Honorable Mention: 

  • Spacemaker - how to unplug, unwind and think clearly in the digital age by Daniel Sih





Science Fiction/Fantasy

1st Place (tie):

  • Discovery of the Five Senses by K.N. Smith

  • The Younglings: Shadows & Magic by Helena M Craggs

2nd Place (tie):

  • Archwilde by Marcy Dewey Mahoney

  • Immortal Wounds by Angie Barton

Honorable Mention: 

  • Twins of the Eclipse by Christopher Woods

  • Virtue Inverted by Piers Anthony and Kenneth Kelly

  • The Girl In The Toile Wallpaper by Mary K. Savarese

  • Tales of the Blue Wizard: The Children of Jamomere by F. M. Barrera





Self-Help/Inspirational

1st Place (tie):

  • Fly High: Understanding Grief with God’s Help by Michelle Medlock Adams and Janet K. Johnson, illustrated by Beth Snider

  • The Home for Friendless Children by C.L. Olsen

2nd Place:

  • Artist: Awakening the Spirit Within by Jocelyn Jones

Honorable Mention:

  • Unshattered Grief by Michelle L. Cramer

  • Zen (and Rage) and the Art of a Never-Ending Home Renovation by Marcia Formica

  • Opening the Door: My Journey Through Anorexia to Full Recovery by Meredith O’Brien

  • Spacemaker - how to unplug, unwind and think clearly in the digital age by Daniel Sih

  • Fallen Star: A Return to Self through the Eight Limbs of Yoga by Molly Chanson, illustrated by Anne Chanson

  • Truth is Indestructible by Stuart Nagero

  • Brady and the Backyard Monster by Pattie Manente, illustrated by Olena Kharkovenko

  • Nature Heals: Energy-Balancing Photos to Lift Your Body, Mind, and Soul by Cary G. Weldy





Special Needs/Disability Awareness

1st Place:

  • Rue’s Butterfly by Donna McCart Welser

2nd Place:

  • Work Hard, Not Smart: How to Make a Messy Literary Life by Alexis Paige

Honorable Mention:

  • The Music Therapy Studio:Empowering the Soul’s Truth by Rick Soshensky

  • This Kid Can Hyperfocus by Patty DeDurr, illustrated by Eduardo Paj





Transportation

1st Place:

  • Jack’s Garage: Tire Maintenace for Kids by Jack Scudder, illustrated by Nita Candra

Westerns

1st Place:

  • Crossing the Ford by Gail Hertzog


Women’s Interests

1st Place:

  • Rue’s Butterfly by Donna McCart Welser

2nd Place:

  • Work Hard, Not Smart: How to Make a Messy Literary Life by Alexis Paige

Honorable Mention: 

  • Crossing the Ford by Gail Hertzog

  • Dammit ... It IS Menopause! Meditations for Women to Achieve Clarity and Confidence Beyond Their Wildest Dreams Volume 1 by Sally Bartlett

  • Dragonfly Escaping by Raya Khedker




Writing/Publishing

1st Place:

  • Work Hard, Not Smart: How to Make a Messy Literary Life by Alexis Paige

Young Adult Fiction

1st Place (tie):

  • Burning Bright: Book Two of The Rise and Fall of Dani Truehart series by Michele Kwasniewski

  • Rising Star: Book One of The Rise and Fall of Dani Truehart series by Michele Kwasniewski

2nd Place:

  • Danielle: Chronicles of a Superhero by Raymond Kurzweil, illustrated by Amy Kurzweil

Honorable Mention: 

  • Discovery of the Five Senses by K.N. Smith

  • The Faithful Dog by Terry Lee Caruthers

  • The Younglings: Shadows & Magic by Helena M Craggs

  • Vivie’s Secret by Terry Lee Caruthers

  • The Legend of Buc Buccaneer by Daniel Bodenstein, illustrated by Ronald Robrahn

  • Space Story by W.W. Marplot

  • The Girl In The Toile Wallpaper by Mary K. Savarese

  • India Finds a Home by Kathleen Gibbs

  • Cassandra and the Crystal Cave by Deborah Shining Star





Young Adult Nonfiction

1st Place:

  • Pawprints On Our Hearts: How A Few Incredible Dogs Changed One Life Forever by Kerk Murray

2nd Place:

  • Unbelonging by Gayatri Sethi

Honorable Mention:

  • Bias Is All Around You: A Handbook for Inspecting Social Media & News Stories by Erik Bean, illustrated by Gail Gorske

Youth Author Fiction

1st Place:

  • Turning the Corner by Ruozhen Ma

2nd Place:

  • We Are So Beautiful: Valuing the Differences Among Everyone by Ashley Nevison

Honorable Mention: 

  • The Adventures of the Sister Cats: The Legend of the Pumpkin Moon by Emerson Cochran , illustrated by Cleoward Sy

  • Sakari’s Adventure Under The Sea by Ashley Nevison





Youth Author Nonfiction

1st Place:

  • Jack’s Garage: Tire Maintenace for Kids by Jack Scudder, illustrated by Nita Candra





 

E BOOKS

Animals/Pets

1st Place:

  • The Adventures of Arrow: Arrow’s New Best Friend by Drew Dunn

2nd Place:

  • The Legend of Paisley Pete: A Magical Story About Abandoned Cats by Phyllis Smith

Best Cover Design

1st Place:

  • The Dragon and the Unicorn: The Magic of Friendship by Charly Froh, illustrated by Zuzana Svobodová

2nd Place:

  • Orchid Blooming by Carol Van Den Hende

Honorable Mention:

  • Eyes on the Prize by Kingsley Osei and Shannon Griffin, illustrated by Cindy Sonia

  • The Red Eyes by Lee Ching Kai

Biography/Autobiography/Memoir

1st Place:

  • Crazy: Reclaiming Life from the Shadow of Traumatic Memory by Lyn Barrett

2nd Place:

  • Stalked by Demons, Guarded by Angels: The Girl with the Eating Disorder by Simone Yemm

Honorable Mention:

  • Ninety-Nine Fire Hoops by Allison Hong Merrill

  • Lost in Beirut: A True Story of Love, Loss and War by Ashe and Magdalena Stevens

  • All The Way To Santa Fe by Jackie Ferrell

  • Trustworthy: A Journey From American Christianity to Freedom by Heather Wells, illustrated by Andy Bridges

Business/Finance

1st Place:

  • Leading in a Social World by R. Aaron Templer

2nd Place:

  • Fashion Entrepreneurship: Creation of the Global Fashion Business by Neri Karra

Careers

1st Place:

  • No Permission Needed: Unlock Your Leadership Potential and Eliminate Self-Doubt by Tissa Richards

Children’s Chapter Books

1st Place:

  • Heath Cousins and the Silver Statue by Eileen Hobbs

Children’s Nonfiction

1st Place:

  • Hubi’s Surf Atlas by Joachim Christgau and Alex Whitman

Children’s Poetry

1st Place:

  • Eyes on the Prize by Kingsley Osei and Shannon Griffin, illustrated by Cindy Sonia

Cultural Diversity

1st Place:

  • Orchid Blooming by Carol Van Den Hende

2nd Place:

  • Sita and the Prince of Tigers by Winona Howe

Honorable Mention:

  • Soso and the Kako Leaf by Bella Disu

Education

1st Place:

  • The Value Equation: A Business Guide to Wealth Creation for Entrepreneurs, Leaders and Investors by Christopher H. Volk

2nd Place:

  • Wiilder Adventures & Animals A-Z by Joachim Christgau and Alex Whitman

Family Matters

1st Place:

  • Grandma, It’s Me! A Children’s Book about Dementia by Y. Y. Chan, illustrated by Pearly L.

Fiction Novel

1st Place:

  • KGB Banker by John Christmas and William McCormick

2nd Place:

  • Clochan by Lawrence P. O’Brien

Honorable Mention:

  • The Black Cell by Wendy Shaia

  • Revolution by David Dorrough

  • When Lions Roar by Karen Leigh Gruber

  • Identifiable by Julia Tvardovskaya

General

1st Place:

Breath Belief Beginning ลมหายใจเดียวกัน by PTT Public Company Limited

Graphic Novel

1st Place:

  • The Herd by Ryan Poirier

Green Books/Environmental

1st Place:

  • Midgard by Jeanne Hull Godfroy

2nd Place:

  • Our Threatened Kin: Fur, Feather & Fin by Dev Shah

Historical Fiction

1st Place:

  • For the Minds and Wills of Men by Jeff Lanier

Holiday

1st Place:

  • The Girl Who Ruined Christmas by Cindy Callaghan

2nd Place:

  • Halloweenie by Amanda McCann

Honorable Mention:

  • The Journey to Nguzo Saba: A Kwanzaa Story by Phyllis Williams and LaTricia Smith, illustrated by Prosenjit Roy

Humor

1st Place:

  • The Finn Chronicles: Year Three by Gwen Romack

2nd Place:

  • Certified by Roger Wilson-Crane

Honorable Mention:

  • Revolution by David Dorrough

  • The Trump Diaries 2024 by Barry Robbins

Middle Grade

1st Place:

  • My Big Heart-Shaped Fail by Cindy Callaghan

2nd Place:

  • Simone LaFray and the Red Wolves of London by S.P. O’Farrell

Honorable Mention: 

  • Toby’s Tale by Jennifer Freedman

  • Geo by Topher Allen

Military

1st Place:

  • Sea Pay by Bob Dorgan

Mystery

1st Place:

  • Dragony Rising by Michael Stephen Daigle

2nd Place:

  • The Dance Towards Death (The Brotherhood Chronicle, Volume 3) by Tejas Desai

Honorable Mention: 

  • For the Minds and Wills of Men by Jeff Lanier

New Author: Fiction

1st Place:

  • For the Minds and Wills of Men by Jeff Lanier

2nd Place:

  • Revolution by David Dorrough

Honorable Mention: 

  • The Dark Lord of Oklahoma: An Unconventional Sequel by Ethan Richards

  • Crop Burner: The Tale of Fearn & The Deamhon by Gavin Black

  • Identifiable by Julia Tvardovskaya

  • Midgard by Jeanne Hull Godfroy

  • The Dragon and the Unicorn: The Magic of Friendship by Charly Froh, illustrated by Zuzana Svobodová

  • Why Am I So Quiet? by Dawn McLucas

New Author: Nonfiction

1st Place:

  • Spacemaker - how to unplug, unwind and think clearly in the digital age by Daniel Sih

2nd Place:

  • Trustworthy: A Journey From American Christianity to Freedom by Heather Wells, illustrated by Andy Bridges

Picture Books 5 & Younger

1st Place:

  • The Reason I Held You Close by Evelyn Garland, illustrated by YoungJu Kim

2nd Place:

  • Frankie’s Wish: A Wander in the Wonder by Once Upon a Dance, illustrated by Emilia Rumińska

Honorable Mention:

  • Jacob and Charlie Learn to Recycle by Paridhi Apte and Disha Patwardhan

  • My Cat Thinks He’s a Puppy by Patricia Allieri, illustrated by Novel Varius

  • The Dragon and the Unicorn: The Magic of Friendship by Charly Froh, illustrated by Zuzana Svobodova

  • The Fish who Wanted to Dance With the Stars by Barbara Pinke, illustrated by Alvin Adhi

Picture Books 6 & Older

1st Place:

  • Written in the Stars for You by Tyranika Abrams, illustrated by Dikshaa Pawaskar

2nd Place:

  • The Dragon and the Unicorn: The Magic of Friendship by Charly Froh, illustrated by Zuzana Svobodová

Honorable Mention:

  • Grandma, It’s Me! A Children’s Book about Dementia by Y. Y. Chan, illustrated by Pearly L.

  • We All Have Spots by M. J. McDonald

  • Petunia the Unicorn Moves to the Big City by R.L. Ullman, illustrated by Yusup Mediyan

  • Aqua Paws by Patricia Allieri, illustrated by Stella Maris

Poetry

1st Place:

  • black god mother this body by Raina Leon

Politics

1st Place:

  • Toward a Model of Constitutions: How Human Rights, Lincoln’s Address, and Berlin’s Liberties Explain Democracies by Williams Kuttikadan

Psychology

1st Place:

  • Mud Flower: Surviving Schizophrenia and Suicide Through Art by Meghan Caughey

Relationships

1st Place:

  • The Essential Rules of Love: A Practical Guide to Creating a Harmonious, Healthy, and Happy Relationship by Phil Russotti

Religion/Spirituality

1st Place:

  • Peace in the Midst of the Storm by Kaleb Thompson

2nd Place:

  • Identifiable by Julia Tvardovskaya

Honorable Mention:

  • Spacemaker - how to unplug, unwind and think clearly in the digital age by Daniel Sih

  • A to Z of Mini Muslims: An alphabet book exploring all about Islam and being a Muslim by Mariam Latifi, illustrated by Saba Yasmeen

Romance

1st Place:

  • The Refusal by Eve Riley

2nd Place:

  • Captive Hearts by Kelly Miller

Science & Technology

1st Place:

  • Spacemaker - how to unplug, unwind and think clearly in the digital age by Daniel Sih

Science Fiction/Fantasy

1st Place:

  • In the Shadow of Humanity: A Novel by N. John Williams

2nd Place:

  • Rise: Birth of a Revolution by Mark Moore

Honorable Mention:

  • Clochan by Lawrence P. O’Brien

  • The Bridge to Magic by Alex Thornbury

  • The Devil Pulls the Strings by J. W. Zarek

  • The Wand, the Madigan Chronicles #3 by Marieke Lexmond, illustrated by Nicole Ruijgrok

  • Crop Burner: The Tale of Fearn & The Deamhon by Gavin Black

  • Stilled: The Story of Inklebrawt Winklehank by Brian R Estvander

  • Identifiable by Julia Tvardovskaya

  • Kilmer’s Ghost: Astar’s Blade: Part Two by Joe Lyon

  • Geo by Topher Allen

Self-Help/Inspirational

1st Place:

  • Healing Yesterday’s Tears: An Inspiring Poetry Book about Overcoming Emotion and Discovering Love of Self by Kyli Santiago

2nd Place:

  • Empathic Mastery: A 5-Step System to Go from Emotional Hot Mess to Thriving Success by Jennifer Elizabeth Moore

Honorable Mention:

  • Spacemaker - how to unplug, unwind and think clearly in the digital age by Daniel Sih

  • Written in the Stars for You by Tyranika Abrams, illustrated by Dikshaa Pawaskar

STEM

1st Place:

  • Hacking The System Design Interview by Stanley Chiang

Travel

1st Place:

  • Hubi’s Surf Atlas by Joachim Christgau and Alex Whitman

Women’s Interests

1st Place:

  • Catching Rain by Sandi Paris

2nd Place:

  • When Lions Roar by Karen Leigh Gruber

Honorable Mention:

  • black god mother this body by Raina Leon

  • Empathic Mastery: A 5-Step System to Go from Emotional Hot Mess to Thriving Success by Jennifer Elizabeth Moore

Young Adult Fiction

1st Place:

  • Why Won’t My Boobs Grow... and Other Annoyances by Rebecca Garner

2nd Place:

  • Freeze Frame by Tyler Beauchamp

Honorable Mention:

  • Mithandral by D.C. Morris

  • Crop Burner: The Tale of Fearn & The Deamhon by Gavin Black

  • Sita and the Prince of Tigers by Winona Howe

  • Voiceless: A Mermaid’s Tale by Anna Finch

Youth Author Nonfiction

1st Place:

  • Our Threatened Kin: Fur, Feather & Fin by Dev Shah

 
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