State Awards

Alabama

In the Wild Light

Jeff Zentner

2024, Yellowhammer Young Adult Book Award, Honor Book

Tree Hole Homes

Melissa Stewart; illustrated by Amy Hevron

2024, Yellowhammer Picture Book Award, Nominee

Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute

Talia Hibbert

2024, Yellowhammer Young Adult Book Award, Nominee

The Black Queen

Jumata Emill

2024, Yellowhammer Young Adult Book Award, Nominee

Hidden Systems

Dan Nott

2024, Yellowhammer Young Adult Book Award, Honor Book

Dear Medusa

Olivia A. Cole

2024, Yellowhammer Young Adult Book Award, Honor Book

Arizona

The Bakery Dragon

Devin Elle Kurtz

2027, Arizona Grand Canyon Reader Award, Nominee

Courage Like Kate

Anna Crowley Redding; illustrated by Emily Sutton

2026, Arizona Grand Canyon Reader Award, Nominee

In Nightfall

Suzanne Young

2025, Arizona Grand Canyon Reader Award, Selection

Fast Pitch

Nic Stone

2024, Arizona Grand Canyon Reader Award, Nominee

Hope and Other Punch Lines

Julie Buxbaum

2024, Arizona Grand Canyon Reader Award, Nominee

Operation Frog Effect

Sarah Scheerger

2023, Arizona Grand Canyon Reader Award, Nominee

Arkansas

The Reappearance of Rachel Price

Holly Jackson

2026, Arkansas Teen Book Award, Nominee

Pepita Meets Bebita

Ruth Behar and Gabriel Frye-Behar; illustrated by Maribel Lechuga

2026, Arkansas Diamon Primary Book Award, Nominee

Little Rosetta and the Talking Guitar

Written and illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow

2026, Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Award, Nominee

Five Survive

Holly Jackson

2024, Arkansas Teen Book Award, Nominee

Family of Liars: Deluxe Edition

E. Lockhart

2024, Arkansas Teen Book Award, Nominee

Wilder Girls

Rory Power

2020-2021, Arkansas Teen Book Award, Nominee

California

In the Wild Light

Jeff Zentner

2025-2026, California Young Reader Medal, Nominee

Instructions for Dancing

Nicola Yoon

2025-2026, California Young Reader Medal, Nominee

We're Not from Here

Geoff Rodkey

2023-2024, California Young Reader Medal, Nominee

The Peach Rebellion

Wendelin Van Draanen

2023, The John And Patricia Beatty Award, Winner

All Are Welcome (An All Are Welcome Book)

Alexandra Penfold; illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman

2021-2022, California Young Reader Medal, Nominee

The Lion of Mars

Jennifer L. Holm

2022, California Young Reader Medal, Winner

Colorado

The Stupendous Switcheroo: New Powers Every 24 Hours

Mary Winn Heider and Chad Sell

2026, Colorado Children’s Book Award, Nominee

The Flamingo

Guojing

2024, Colorado Children’s Book Award, Nominee

Those Are Not My Underpants!

Melissa Martin; illustrated by Troy Cummings

2024, Colorado Children’s Book Award, Nominee

Things Seen from Above

Shelley Pearsall

2024, Colorado Children’s Book Award, Nominee

Things Seen from Above

Shelley Pearsall

2024, Colorado Children’s Book Award, Selection

Can I Be Your Dog?

Troy Cummings

2020, Colorado Children’s Book Award, Winner

Connecticut

Trex

Christyne Morrell

2026, Nutmeg Book Award , Nominee

The 9:09 Project

Mark H. Parsons

2026, Nutmeg Book Award , Nominee

The Green Piano

Roberta Flack with Tonya Bolden; illustrated by Hayden Goodman

2024, Charter Oak Children’s Book Award, Nominee

Obie Is Man Enough

Schuyler Bailar

2025, Nutmeg Book Award, Nominee

The Magic Fish

Trung Le Nguyen

2022-2023, Nutmeg Book Award, Nominee

Iveliz Explains It All

Andrea Beatriz Arango; illustrated by Alyssa Bermudez

2025, Nutmeg Book Award, Nominee

This Story Is Not About a Kitten

Randall de Sève; illustrated by Carson Ellis

2023, Capitol Choices, Selection

The Agathas

Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson

2023, Capitol Choices, Selection

Murder Among Friends

Candace Fleming

2023, Capitol Choices, Selection

Jennifer Chan Is Not Alone

Tae Keller

2023, Capitol Choices, Selection

Blue

Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond; illustrated by Daniel Minter

2023, Capitol Choices, Selection

Answers in the Pages

David Levithan

2023, Capitol Choices, Selection

Delaware

Whale Fall

Melissa Stewart; illustrated by Rob Dunlavey

2025, Delaware Diamonds, Nominee

Ice Cream Man

Glenda Armand and Kim Freeman; illustrated by Keith Mallet

2025, Delaware Diamonds, Nominee

Wild Symphony

Dan Brown; illustrated by Susan Batori

2022, Blue Hen Book Awards, Winner

Vote for Our Future!

Margaret McNamara; illustrated by Micah Player

2021-2022, Delaware Diamonds, Nominee

The Magic Fish

Trung Le Nguyen

2023, Blue Hen Book Award, Nominee

The Bug Girl

by Sophia Spencer, the Bug Girl Herself, with Margaret McNamara; illustrated by Kerascoët

2021-2022, Delaware Diamonds, Nominee

Florida

Confessions of a Class Clown

Arianne Costner

2025-2026, Sunshine State Young Readers Award, Nominee

Trex

Christyne Morrell

2025-2026, Sunshine State Young Readers Award, Nominee

Wander in the Dark

Jumata Emill

2025-2026, Florida Teens Read Award, Nominee

Benny Ramírez and the Nearly Departed

José Pablo Iriarte

2025-2026, Sunshine State Young Readers Award , Selection

Futureland: Battle for the Park

H.D. Hunter; illustrated by Khadijah Khatib

2025-2026, Sunshine State Young Readers Award , Selection

Midnight at the Houdini

Delilah S. Dawson

2024-2025, Florida Teen Reads, Nominee

Georgia

Wander in the Dark

Jumata Emill

2026, Georgia Peach Book Award For Teen Readers, Nominee

The School for Invisible Boys

Shaun David Hutchinson

2026, Georgia Children’s Book Award, Nominee

The Last Stand

Antwan Eady; illustrated by Jerome & Jarrett Pumphrey

2026, Georgia Children’s Book Award, Nominee

That Always Happens Sometimes

Kiley Frank; illustrated by K-Fai Steele

2026, Georgia Children’s Book Award, Nominee

Speck

Margaux Meganck

2026, Georgia Children’s Book Award, Nominee

Chaos Theory

Nic Stone

2026, Georgia Peach Book Award For Teen Readers, Winner

Hawaii

Something Like Home

Andrea Beatriz Arango

2026, Nēnē Book Award, Nominee

Futureland: Battle for the Park

H.D. Hunter; illustrated by Khadijah Khatib

2026, Nēnē Book Award, Nominee

Confessions of a Class Clown

Arianne Costner

2026, Nēnē Book Award, Nominee

Snow Angel, Sand Angel

Lois-Ann Yamanaka; illustrated by Ashley Lukashevsky

2024, Ānuenue Book Award, Winner

Confessions of a Class Clown

Arianne Costner

2025, Nēnē Book Award, Nominee

The Mysterious Disappearance of Aidan S. (as told to his brother)

David Levithan

2022-2023, Nēnē Book Award, Nominee

Illinois

Dungeons and Drama

Kristy Boyce

2026, AISLE Readers’ Choice Awards, Nominee

A Royal Conundrum (The Misfits)

Lisa Yee; illustrated by Dan Santat

2026, Bluestem Book Award, Nominee

A Royal Conundrum (The Misfits)

Lisa Yee; illustrated by Dan Santat

OLA Sequoyah Book Award Masterlist 

Tiger Trouble (Tig and Lily Book 1)

Dan Thompson

2025, AISLE Readers’ Choice Awards, Selection

Not an Easy Win

Chrystal D. Giles

2025-2026, Young Hoosier Book Award, Nominee

NO Is All I Know!

Chris Grabenstein; illustrated by Leo Espinosa

2025-2026, Young Hoosier Book Award, Nominee

Indiana

Turtles of the Midnight Moon

María José Fitzgerald

2024, Indiana Reads Aloud List, Nominee

Select

Christie Matheson

2025-2026, Young Hoosier Book Award, Nominee

Ice Cream Man

Glenda Armand and Kim Freeman; illustrated by Keith Mallet

2025-2026, Young Hoosier Book Award, Nominee

The Lucky Ones

Linda Williams Jackson

2022, Eliot Rosewater Book Award, Nominee

Maizy Chen's Last Chance

Lisa Yee

2025, Young Hoosier Book Award, Nominee

The Agathas

Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson

2025, Eliot Rosewater Book Award, Nominee

Iowa

Lasagna Means I Love You

Kate O'Shaughnessy

2025, Iowa Children’s Choice Award, Nominee

Maizy Chen's Last Chance

Lisa Yee

2025, Iowa Children’s Choice Award, Nominee

The Agathas

Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson

2025, Iowa’s High School Book Award, Nominee

Dear Student

Elly Swartz

2023-2024, Iowa Children’s Choice Award, Nominee

What I Carry

Jennifer Longo

2022, All Iowa Reads, Selection

The Lonely Heart of Maybelle Lane

Kate O'Shaughnessy

2022, All Iowa Reads, Selection

Kansas

Lasagna Means I Love You

Kate O'Shaughnessy

2026, William Allen White Children’s Book Award, Nominee

The Bakery Dragon

Devin Elle Kurtz

2026, Bill Martin Jr. Picture Book Award, Nominee

Buffalo Fluffalo

Bess Kalb; illustrated by Erin Kraan

2025, Bill Martin Jr. Picture Book Award, Winner

War and Millie McGonigle

Karen Cushman

2021, Kansas NEA Reading Circle, Selection

Can I Be Your Dog?

Troy Cummings

2024, Kansas NEA Reading Circle, Selection

Jennifer Chan Is Not Alone

Tae Keller

2025, William Allen White Children’s Book Award, Selection

Kentucky

Mine!

Candace Fleming; illustrated by Eric Rohmann

2024-2025, Bluegrass Book Award, Nominee

Dog Squad

Chris Grabenstein

2022-2023, Bluegrass Book Award, Nominee

Chaos Theory

Nic Stone

2024-2025, Bluegrass Book Award, Nominee

Bears Are Best!

Joan Holub; illustrated by Laurie Keller

2024-2025, Bluegrass Book Award, Nominee

Trex

Christyne Morrell

2024-2025, Bluegrass Book Award, Nominee

Growing Pangs

Kathryn Ormsbee; illustrated by Molly Brooks

2024-2025, Bluegrass Book Award, Nominee

Louisiana

Camp Scare

Delilah S. Dawson

2025, Louisiana Reader’s Choice, Honor

Maizy Chen's Last Chance

Lisa Yee

2024, Louisiana Reader’s Choice, Nominee

The Q

Amy Tintera

2024, Louisiana Reader’s Choice, Nominee

The Boy Who Loved Maps

Kari Allen; illustrated by G. Brian Karas

2024, Louisiana Reader’s Choice, Selection

Hide and Geek

T. P. Jagger

2024, Louisiana Reader’s Choice, Nominee

Curve & Flow

Andrea J. Loney; illustrated by Keith Mallett

2024, Louisiana Reader’s Choice, Nominee

Maine

We Are Big Time

Hena Khan; illustrated by Safiya Zerrougui

2026, North Star Young Adult Book Award, Nominee

The Wrong Way Home

Kate O'Shaughnessy

2026, Maine Student Book Award, Nominee

Impossible Creatures

Katherine Rundell; illustrated by Ashley Mackenzie

2026, Maine Student Book Award, Nominee

Dungeons and Drama

Kristy Boyce

2026, North Star Young Adult Book Award, Nominee

The Mona Lisa Vanishes

Nicholas Day; illustrated by Brett Helquist

2025, North Star Young Adult Book Award, Nominee

The Eyes and the Impossible

Dave Eggers; illustrated by Shawn Harris

2025, Maine Student Book Award, Nominee

Maryland

We Are Big Time

Hena Khan; illustrated by Safiya Zerrougui

2025-2026, Black-Eyed Susan Book Award, Nominee

Next Stop

Debbie Fong

2025-2026, Black-Eyed Susan Book Award, Nominee

The Wrong Way Home

Kate O'Shaughnessy

2025-2026, Black-Eyed Susan Book Award, Nominee

Wrecker

Carl Hiaasen

2025-2026, Black-Eyed Susan Book Award, Nominee

The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman

Gennifer Choldenko

2025-2026, Black-Eyed Susan Book Award, Nominee

The Mona Lisa Vanishes

Nicholas Day; illustrated by Brett Helquist

2025-2026, Black-Eyed Susan Book Award, Nominee

Massachusetts

We Are Big Time

Hena Khan; illustrated by Safiya Zerrougui

2026, Massachusetts Children’s Book Award, Nominee

The Wrong Way Home

Kate O'Shaughnessy

2026, Massachusetts Children’s Book Award, Nominee

The Reappearance of Rachel Price

Holly Jackson

2026, Massachusetts Teen Choices, Nominee

I Will Never Leave You

Kara A. Kennedy

2025, Massachusetts Teen Choices, Nominee

HappyHead

Josh Silver

2025, Massachusetts Teen Choices, Nominee

The Last Boyfriends Rules for Revenge

Matthew Hubbard

2025, Massachusetts Teen Choices, Nominee

Michigan

The Wrong Way Home

Kate O'Shaughnessy

2026, Great Lakes Great Books Award, Nominee

Buffalo Fluffalo

Bess Kalb; illustrated by Erin Kraan

2026, Great Lakes Great Books Award, Nominee

The Mona Lisa Vanishes

Nicholas Day; illustrated by Brett Helquist

2024, YouPer Award, Selection

Something Like Home

Andrea Beatriz Arango

2024, YouPer Award, Selection

Chaos Theory

Nic Stone

2025, Great Lakes Great Books Award, Nominee

Long Road to the Circus

Betsy Bird; illustrated by David Small

2022, Michigan Notable Books, Selection

Minnesota

How to Win a Slime War

Mae Respicio

2025, Maud Hart Lovelace Award, Nominee

Maizy Chen's Last Chance

Lisa Yee

2024, Minnesota Youth Reading Award, Nominee

Song for a Whale

Lynne Kelly

2023, Maud Hart Lovelace Award, Nominee

The Smartest Kid in the Universe, Book 1

Chris Grabenstein

2024, Minnesota Youth Reading Award, Honor

People Are Wild

Margaux Meganck

2023, Building Block Book Award, Nominee

White Bird: A Wonder Story (A Graphic Novel)

R. J. Palacio

2022, Maud Hart Lovelace Award, Winner

Mississippi

Fast Pitch

Nic Stone

2023, Magnolia Book Award, Nominee

The List of Things That Will Not Change

Rebecca Stead

2022, Magnolia Book Award, Nominee

Like Nothing Amazing Ever Happened

Emily Blejwas

2022, Magnolia Book Award, Nominee

This Is My America

Kim Johnson

2022, Magnolia Book Award, Nominee

Smack Dab in the Middle of Maybe

Jo Watson Hackl

2020, Mississippi Library Association Children’s Author Award, Winner

Missouri

The Glass Girl

Kathleen Glasgow

2026, MASL Readers’ Award, Nominee

NO Is All I Know!

Chris Grabenstein; illustrated by Leo Espinosa

2026, Building Block Book Award, Winner

Dungeons and Drama

Kristy Boyce

2026, MASL Readers’ Award, Nominee

Darkly

Marisha Pessl

2026, MASL Readers’ Award, Nominee

A Royal Conundrum (The Misfits)

Lisa Yee; illustrated by Dan Santat

2026, MASL Readers’ Award, Nominee

The Black Queen

Jumata Emill

2025-2026, Gateway Readers Book Award, Nominee

Montana

Buffalo Fluffalo

Bess Kalb; illustrated by Erin Kraan

2026, Treasure State Award, Nominee

Goldilocks for Dinner

Susan Montanari; illustrated by Jake Parker

2022, Montana Treasure State Book Award, Nominee

Nebraska

The Mona Lisa Vanishes

Nicholas Day; illustrated by Brett Helquist

2026, Meadomlark Award, Nominee

Something Like Home

Andrea Beatriz Arango

2026, Meadomlark Award, Nominee

Invisible Son

Kim Johnson

2026, Bald Eagle Award, Nominee

Dog vs. Strawberry

Nelly Buchet; illustrated by Andrea Zuill

2026, Little Bluestem Award, Nominee

Invisible Son

Kim Johnson

2025-2026, Bald Eagle Award, Nominee

The Mona Lisa Vanishes

Nicholas Day; illustrated by Brett Helquist

2025-2026, Meadowlark Award, Nominee

Nevada

This Story Is Not About a Kitten

Randall de Sève; illustrated by Carson Ellis

2026, Nevada Young Readers Award, Nominee

The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman

Gennifer Choldenko

2026, Nevada Young Readers Award, Nominee

The Reappearance of Rachel Price

Holly Jackson

2026, Nevada Young Readers Award, Nominee

Plan A

Deb Caletti

2026, Nevada Young Readers Award, Nominee

Invisible Son

Kim Johnson

2026, Nevada Young Readers Award, Nominee

Buffalo Fluffalo

Bess Kalb; illustrated by Erin Kraan

2026, Nevada Young Readers Award, Nominee

New Hampshire

We Are Big Time

Hena Khan; illustrated by Safiya Zerrougui

2026, Great Stone Face Book Award, Nominee

The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman

Gennifer Choldenko

2026, Great Stone Face Book Award, Nominee

The Glass Girl

Kathleen Glasgow

2026, Flume Book Award, Nominee

The Bakery Dragon

Devin Elle Kurtz

2026, LadyBug Picture Book Award, Nominee

Impossible Creatures

Katherine Rundell; illustrated by Ashley Mackenzie

2026, Great Stone Face Book Award, Nominee

Buffalo Fluffalo

Bess Kalb; illustrated by Erin Kraan

2026, LadyBug Picture Book Award, Nominee

New Jersey

Hidden Systems

Dan Nott

2025, Garden State Teen Book Award, Nominee

Unstoppable Us, Volume 1: How Humans Took Over the World

Yuval Noah Harari; illustrated by Ricard Zaplana Ruiz

2025, Garden State Teen Book Award, Nominee

Sofía Acosta Makes a Scene

Emma Otheguy

2023, M. Jerry Weiss Award, Nominee

My Aunt Is a Monster

Reimena Yee

2025, Garden State Children’s Book Award, Nominee

Maybe An Artist, A Graphic Memoir

Liz Montague

2025, Garden State Teen Book Award, Nominee

Maizy Chen's Last Chance

Lisa Yee

2023, M. Jerry Weiss Award, Nominee

New Mexico

The Black Queen

Jumata Emill

2024-2025, Land Of Enchantment Book Award, Nominee

Momo Arashima Steals the Sword of the Wind

Misa Sugiura

2024, Land Of Enchantment Book Award, Nominee

The Long Ride

Marina Budhos

2023, Land Of Enchantment Book Award, Nominee

Blue

Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond; illustrated by Daniel Minter

2024, Land Of Enchantment Book Award, Nominee

We're Not from Here

Geoff Rodkey

2021-2022, Land Of Enchantment- Lizard, Nominee

Song for a Whale

Lynne Kelly

2021-2022, Land Of Enchantment- Lizard, Nominee

New York

The Cousins

Karen M. McManus

2021-2022, Three Apples Book Award, Nominee

When Beavers Flew

Kristen Tracy; illustrated by Luisa Uribe

2024, NYPL Best Books for Kids, Selection

We Are Big Time

Hena Khan; illustrated by Safiya Zerrougui

2024, NYPL Best Books for Kids, Selection

The School for Invisible Boys

Shaun David Hutchinson

2024, NYPL Best Books for Kids, Selection

The Queen of Ocean Parkway

Sarvenaz Tash

2024, NYPL Best Books for Kids, Selection

The Night Market

Seina Wedlick; illustrated by Briana Mukodiri Uchendu

2024, NYPL Best Books for Kids, Selection

North Carolina

Narwhal

Candace Fleming; illustrated by Deena So'Oteh

2026, North Carolina Children’s Book Award, Nominee

Don't Trust Cats

Dev Petty; illustrated by Mike Boldt

2026, North Carolina Children’s Book Award, Nominee

A Royal Conundrum (The Misfits)

Lisa Yee; illustrated by Dan Santat

2026, North Carolina Children’s Book Award, Nominee

Yoshi, Sea Turtle Genius

Lynne Cox; illustrated by Richard Jones

2024-2025, North Carolina Children’s Book Award, Nominee

This Story Is Not About a Kitten

Randall de Sève; illustrated by Carson Ellis

2025, North Carolina Children’s Book Award, Selection

Dog Squad

Chris Grabenstein

2024, North Carolina Children’s Book Award, Nominee

North Dakota

Buffalo Fluffalo

Bess Kalb; illustrated by Erin Kraan

2026, North Carolina Children’s Book Award, Nominee

Lasagna Means I Love You

Kate O'Shaughnessy

2025, North Dakota Flicker Tale Award, Nominee

Nana Akua Goes to School

Tricia Elam Walker; illustrated by April Harrison

2022, North Dakota Children’s Book Award, Nominee

The Beauty That Remains

Ashley Woodfolk

2018, North Dakota Children’s Book Award, Nominee

Ohio

The Reappearance of Rachel Price

Holly Jackson

2026, Ohio Buckeye Children’s and Teen Book Award, Nominee

The Great Lakes

Barb Rosenstock; illustrated by Jamey Christoph

2026, Ohio Book Award, Nominee

The Bakery Dragon

Devin Elle Kurtz

2026, Ohio Buckeye Children’s and Teen Book Award, Nominee

Impossible Creatures

Katherine Rundell; illustrated by Ashley Mackenzie

2026, Ohio Buckeye Children’s and Teen Book Award, Nominee

Dungeons and Drama

Kristy Boyce

2026, Ohio Book Award, Nominee

Dungeons and Drama

Kristy Boyce

2026, Insinglass Book Award, Nominee

Oklahoma

The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman

Gennifer Choldenko

2026, OLA Sequoyah Book Award Masterlist , Nominee

Buffalo Fluffalo

Bess Kalb; illustrated by Erin Kraan

2026, Donna Norvell Book Award, Nominee

The Bees of Notre-Dame

Meghan P. Browne; illustrated by E. B. Goodale

2025, OLA Sequoyah Book Award Masterlist, Nominee

The Bees of Notre-Dame

Meghan P. Browne; illustrated by E. B. Goodale

2024, Oklahoma Book Award, Nominee

Something Like Home

Andrea Beatriz Arango

2025, OLA Sequoyah Book Award Masterlist, Nominee

The Bees of Notre-Dame

Meghan P. Browne; illustrated by E. B. Goodale

2025, OLA Sequoyah Book Award Masterlist, Nominee

Oregon

The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman

Gennifer Choldenko

2026, Oregon Reader’s Choice Award, Nominee

The Mona Lisa Vanishes

Nicholas Day; illustrated by Brett Helquist

2026, Oregon Reader’s Choice Award, Nominee

Something Like Home

Andrea Beatriz Arango

2026, Oregon Reader’s Choice Award, Nominee

Invisible Son

Kim Johnson

2026, Oregon Reader’s Choice Award, Nominee

Ariel Crashes a Train

Olivia A. Cole

2026, Oregon Reader’s Choice Award, Nominee

Growing Pangs

Kathryn Ormsbee; illustrated by Molly Brooks

2022, Oregon Spirit Book Award, Winner

Pennsylvania

The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman

Gennifer Choldenko

2026, Keystone To Reading Secondary Book Award, Nominee

The Cousins

Karen M. McManus

2021-2022, Pennsylvania Young Readers’ Choice Award, Nominee

Yoshi, Sea Turtle Genius

Lynne Cox; illustrated by Richard Jones

2024-2025, Keystone To Reading Elementary Book Award, Nominee

Whale Fall

Melissa Stewart; illustrated by Rob Dunlavey

2024-2025, Pennsylvania Young Readers’ Choice Award, Nominee

Whale Fall

Melissa Stewart; illustrated by Rob Dunlavey

2024-2025, Keystone To Reading Elementary Book Award, Nominee

The Mona Lisa Vanishes

Nicholas Day; illustrated by Brett Helquist

2024-2025, Keystone To Reading Elementary Book Award, Nominee

Rhode Island

The Color of a Lie

Kim Johnson

2026, Rhode Island Teen Book Award, Nominee

My Lost Freedom

George Takei; illustrated by Michelle Lee

2026, Rhode Island Children’s Book Award, Nominee

Bright Red Fruit

Safia Elhillo

2026, Rhode Island Teen Book Award, Nominee

The Wicked Bargain

Gabe Cole Novoa

2024, Rhode Island Teen Book Award, Nominee

The Boy at the Back of the Class

Onjali Q. Raúf

2021, Rhode Island Children’s Book Award, Nominee

The List of Things That Will Not Change

Rebecca Stead

2022, Rhode Island Children’s Book Award, Nominee

South Carolina

The Mona Lisa Vanishes

Nicholas Day; illustrated by Brett Helquist

2026, South Carolina Book Awards, Nominee

Something Like Home

Andrea Beatriz Arango

2026, South Carolina Book Awards, Nominee

Lasagna Means I Love You

Kate O'Shaughnessy

2026, South Carolina Book Awards, Nominee

A Royal Conundrum (The Misfits)

Lisa Yee; illustrated by Dan Santat

2026, South Carolina Book Awards , Nominee

Hello from Renn Lake

Michele Weber Hurwitz

2021-2022, South Carolina Book Awards, Nominee

Vinyl Moon

Mahogany L. Browne

2023-2024, South Carolina Book Awards, Selection

South Dakota

Iveliz Explains It All

Andrea Beatriz Arango; illustrated by Alyssa Bermudez

2026, South Dakota Teen Choice Award, Nominee

Dungeons and Drama

Kristy Boyce

2026, South Dakota Teen Choice Award, Nominee

Buffalo Fluffalo

Bess Kalb; illustrated by Erin Kraan

2026, Prairie Bud Children’s Book Award, Nominee

Be Careful, Xiao Xin!

Alice Pung; illustrated by Sher Rill Ng

2026, Prairie Bud Children’s Book Award, Nominee

Ahoy!

Written and illustrated by Sophie Blackall

2026, Prairie Bud Children’s Book Award, Nominee

The Lonely Heart of Maybelle Lane

Kate O'Shaughnessy

2022-2023, Prairie Pasque Book Award, Nominee

Tennessee

The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman

Gennifer Choldenko

2026, Volunteer State Book Award, Nominee

The Secret Language of Birds

Lynne Kelly

2026, Volunteer State Book Award, Nominee

The Last Stand

Antwan Eady; illustrated by Jerome & Jarrett Pumphrey

2026, Volunteer State Book Award, Nominee

The Color of a Lie

Kim Johnson

2026, Volunteer State Book Award, Nominee

Tamales para Navidad (Tamales for Christmas Spanish Edition)

Stephen Briseño; illustrated by Sonia Sánchez; translated by Maria Camila Correa

2026, Volunteer State Book Award, Nominee

Next Stop

Debbie Fong

2026, Volunteer State Book Award, Nominee

Texas

The Reappearance of Rachel Price

Holly Jackson

2026, TAYSHAS Reading List, Nominee

The Cousins

Karen M. McManus

2022, Tayshas Reading List, Selection

Dungeons and Drama

Kristy Boyce

2025-2026, TAYSHAS Reading List, Selection

We Are Big Time

Hena Khan; illustrated by Safiya Zerrougui

2024-2025, Texas Little Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List, Selection

Tryouts

Sarah Sax

2024-2025, Texas Little Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List, Selection

Tig and Lily: Up Late!

Dan Thompson

2024-2025, Texas Little Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List, Selection

Utah

We Are Big Time

Hena Khan; illustrated by Safiya Zerrougui

2026, Beehive Book Award, Nominee

The Wrong Way Home

Kate O'Shaughnessy

2026, Beehive Book Award, Nominee

The Underdogs of Upson Downs

Craig Silvey

2026, Beehive Book Award, Nominee

The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman

Gennifer Choldenko

2026, Beehive Book Award, Nominee

The Mona Lisa Vanishes

Nicholas Day; illustrated by Brett Helquist

2026, Beehive Book Award, Nominee

Lucky Duck

Greg Pizzoli

2026, Beehive Book Award, Nominee

Vermont

The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman

Gennifer Choldenko

2026, Golden Dome Book Award, Nominee

Impossible Creatures

Katherine Rundell; illustrated by Ashley Mackenzie

2026, Golden Dome Book Award, Nominee

The Mona Lisa Vanishes

Nicholas Day; illustrated by Brett Helquist

2024-2025, Golden Dome Book Award, Nominee

Not an Easy Win

Chrystal D. Giles

2024-2025, Golden Dome Book Award, Nominee

Lasagna Means I Love You

Kate O'Shaughnessy

2024-2025, Golden Dome Book Award, Nominee

Dear Rosie

Meghan Boehman and Rachael Briner

2024, Vermont Book Awards, Nominee

Virginia

A Royal Conundrum (The Misfits)

Lisa Yee; illustrated by Dan Santat

2025, VA Reads Winner

Rosa's Song

Helena Ku Rhee; illustrated by Pascal Campion

2024, VA Reads Winner

Futureland: The Nightmare Hour

H.D. Hunter; illustrated by Khadijah Khatib

2024, VA Reads Winner

The Green Piano

Roberta Flack with Tonya Bolden; illustrated by Hayden Goodman

2024, Virginia Reader’s Choice Award, Nominee

Blue Bison Needs a Haircut

Scott Rothman; illustrated by Pete Oswald

2024, Virginia Reader’s Choice Award, Nominee

The Words We Keep

Erin Stewart

2024, Virginia Reader’s Choice Award, Nominee

Washington

The Teeny-Weeny Unicorn

Shawn Harris

2026, Washington Children’s Choice Picture Book Award, Nominee

The Mona Lisa Vanishes

Nicholas Day; illustrated by Brett Helquist

2026, Evergreen Teen Book Award, Nominee

The Bakery Dragon

Devin Elle Kurtz

2026, Washington Children’s Choice Picture Book Award, Nominee

Tate's Wild Rescue

Jenny Turnbull; illustrated by Izzy Burton

2026, Washington Children’s Choice Picture Book Award, Nominee

Narwhal

Candace Fleming; illustrated by Deena So'Oteh

2026, Washington Children’s Choice Picture Book Award, Nominee

My Father, the Panda Killer

Jamie Jo Hoang

2026, Evergreen Teen Book Award, Nominee

Wisconsin

Five Survive

Holly Jackson

2026, Golden Archer, Nominee

White Bird: A Wonder Story (A Graphic Novel)

R. J. Palacio

2021, Golden Archer, Nominee

Thurgood

Jonah Winter; illustrated by Bryan Collier

2021, Wisconsin State Reading Association Recommends List, Selection

Pet

Akwaeke Emezi

2021, Wisconsin State Reading Association Recommends List, Selection

Overview, Young Explorer's Edition

Benjamin Grant with Sandra Markle

2021, Wisconsin State Reading Association Recommends List, Selection

The Boy at the Back of the Class

Onjali Q. Raúf

2021, Wisconsin State Reading Association Recommends List, Nominee

Wyoming

Impossible Creatures

Katherine Rundell; illustrated by Ashley Mackenzie

2026, Indian Paintbrush Book Award, Nominee

Lucky Duck

Greg Pizzoli

2025, Buckaroo Book Award, Nominee

Buffalo Fluffalo

Bess Kalb; illustrated by Erin Kraan

2025, Buckaroo Book Award, Nominee

The Mona Lisa Vanishes

Nicholas Day; illustrated by Brett Helquist

2024, Indian Paintbrush Book Award, Nominee

Bad Dog

Mike Boldt

2021-2022, Buckaroo Book Award, Winner

The 9:09 Project

Mark H. Parsons

2026, Nutmeg Book Award , Nominee

The Stupendous Switcheroo: New Powers Every 24 Hours

Mary Winn Heider and Chad Sell

2026, Colorado Children’s Book Award, Nominee

Courage Like Kate

Anna Crowley Redding; illustrated by Emily Sutton

2026, Arizona Grand Canyon Reader Award, Nominee

We Are Big Time

Hena Khan; illustrated by Safiya Zerrougui

2026, Great Stone Face Book Award, Nominee

This Story Is Not About a Kitten

Randall de Sève; illustrated by Carson Ellis

2026, Nevada Young Readers Award, Nominee

The Wrong Way Home

Kate O'Shaughnessy

2026, Beehive Book Award, Nominee

The Underdogs of Upson Downs

Craig Silvey

2026, Beehive Book Award, Nominee

The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman

Gennifer Choldenko

2026, Beehive Book Award, Nominee

The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman

Gennifer Choldenko

2026, Volunteer State Book Award, Nominee

The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman

Gennifer Choldenko

2026, Oregon Reader’s Choice Award, Nominee

The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman

Gennifer Choldenko

2026, Great Stone Face Book Award, Nominee

The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman

Gennifer Choldenko

2026, Nevada Young Readers Award, Nominee
Random House Children's Books Teachers and Librarians