2021 Winners and Finalists
The Kids’ Book Choice Awards are the only national book awards chosen solely by kids and teens!
Kindergarten to Second Grade Book of the Year Finalists
Winner
We Are Water Protectors
By: Carole Lindstrom
Illustrated by:
Michaela Goade
Michaela Goade
ISBN: 9781250203557
Fiction, 4-6, Historical Fiction
Bedtime for Sweet Creatures
By: Nikki Grimes
Illustrated by:
Elizabeth Zunon
Elizabeth Zunon
ISBN: 9781492638322
Fiction, 4-6, Animals
Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away
By: Meg Medina
Illustrated by:
Sonia Sánchez
Sonia Sánchez
ISBN: 9781536207040
Fiction, 4-6, Background / Culture
Every Color of Light
By: Hiroshi Osada
Illustrated by:
Ryoji Arai
Ryoji Arai
ISBN: 9781592702916
Fiction, 4-6, Science
I Am Every Good Thing
By: Derrick Barnes
Illustrated by:
Gordon C. James
Gordon C. James
ISBN: 9780525518778
Fiction, 4-6, Background / Culture
I Talk Like a River
By: James Scott
Illustrated by:
Sydney Smith
Sydney Smith
ISBN: 9780823445592
Fiction, 4-6, Mental/Physical Health
Third Grade to Fourth Grade Book of the Year Finalists
Winner
Ways to Make Sunshine
By: Renée Watson
Illustrated by:
Nina Mata
Nina Mata
ISBN: 9781547600564
Fiction, 7-12, Contemporary
Beetle & the Hollowbones
By: Aliza Layne
Illustrated by:
Aliza Layne
Aliza Layne
ISBN: 9781534441538
Fiction, 7-12, Fantasy
Girl on a Motorcycle
By: Amy Novesky
Illustrated by:
Julie Morstad
Julie Morstad
ISBN: 9780593116296
Nonfiction, 7-12, Biography / Memoir
Honeybee
By: Candace Fleming
Illustrated by:
Eric Rohmann
Eric Rohmann
ISBN: 9780823442850
Nonfiction, 7-12, Animals
The Paper Boat
By: Thao Lam
Illustrated by:
Thao Lam
Thao Lam
ISBN: 9781771473637
Fiction, 7-12, Historical Fiction
Skunk and Badger
By: Amy Timberlake
Illustrated by:
Jon Klassen
Jon Klassen
ISBN: 9781643750057
Fiction, 7-12, Animals
Fifth Grade to Sixth Grade Book of the Year Finalists
Fighting Words
By: Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
ISBN: 9781984815705
Fiction, 7-12, Mental/Physical Health
Loretta Little Looks Back
By: Andrea Davis Pinkney
Illustrated by:
Brian Pinkney
Brian Pinkney
ISBN: 9780316536776
Fiction, 7-12, Historical Fiction
Twins
By: Varian Johnson
Illustrated by:
Shannon Wright
Shannon Wright
ISBN: 9781338236170
Fiction, 7-12, Contemporary
Teen Book of the Year Finalists
Dragon Hoops
By: Gene Luen Yang
Illustrated by:
Gene Luen Yang
Gene Luen Yang
ISBN: 9781626720794
Nonfiction, Teen, Contemporary
Everything Sad Is Untrue (A True Story)
By: Daniel Nayeri
ISBN: 9781646140008
Fiction, Teen, Biography / Memoir
The Rise and Fall of Charles Lindbergh
By: Candace Fleming
ISBN: 9780525646549
Nonfiction, Teen, Biography / Memoir
Age 12-18: Best Book Creator Digital Presence Finalists
The Lives of Saints
By: Leigh Bardugo
Illustrated by:
Daniel J. Zollinger
Daniel J. Zollinger
ISBN: 9781250765208
Fiction, Teen, Fantasy
The Mermaid, the Witch and the Sea
By: Maggie Tokuda-Hall
ISBN: 9781536204315
Fiction, Teen, Fantasy
A Sky Beyond the Storm and A Thief Among the Trees (An Ember in the Ashes Graphic Novel)
By: Sabaa Tahir
ISBN: 9780448494531
Fiction, Teen, Fantasy
Age 12-18: Best Fantasy World Builder Finalists
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (A Hunger Games Novel)
By: Suzanne Collins
ISBN: 9781338635171
Fiction, Teen, Action / Adventure
Age 12-18: Favorite Book Cover Finalists
Winner
Legendborn
By: Tracy Deonn
Illustrated by:
cover illustration by Hillary Wilson
cover illustration by Hillary Wilson
ISBN: 9781534441606
Fiction, Teen, Fantasy
All Boys Aren’t Blue
By: George M. Johnson
Illustrated by:
cover illustration by Charly Palmer, design and lettering by Cassie Gonzales
cover illustration by Charly Palmer, design and lettering by Cassie Gonzales
ISBN: 9780374312718
Nonfiction, Teen, Biography / Memoir
Camper Girl
By: Glenn Erick Miller
Illustrated by:
cover by C.B. Royal
cover by C.B. Royal
ISBN: 9781646030088
Fiction, Teen, Coming of Age
Fangs
By: Sarah Anderson
Illustrated by:
cover by Sarah Anderson
cover by Sarah Anderson
ISBN: 9781524860677
Fiction, Teen, Fantasy
Felix Ever After
By: Kacen Callender
Illustrated by:
cover art by Alex Cabal, design by Chris Kwon
cover art by Alex Cabal, design by Chris Kwon
ISBN: 9780062820259
Fiction, Teen, LGBTQIA+
What if…? A Poppenohna Land Adventure
By: Carrie Turley
Illustrated by:
cover by Lara Law
cover by Lara Law
ISBN: 9781733644488
Fiction, Teen, Fantasy
Age 12-18: Favorite True Story Finalists
Finish the Fight!
By: Veronica Chambers and The Staff of The New York Times
ISBN: 9780358408307
Nonfiction, Teen, Biography / Memoir
No Voice Too Small
By: Lindsay H. Metcalf, Keila V. Dawson, and Jeanette Bradley
Illustrated by:
Jeanette Bradley
Jeanette Bradley
ISBN: 9781623541316
Nonfiction, Teen, Biography / Memoir
Age 3-8: Best Picture Book Duo Finalists
Winner
The Merry Christmas Mittens
By: Sarah Janco
Illustrated by:
Blayne Fox
Blayne Fox
ISBN: 9781612544588
Fiction, 4-6, Diversity
Beautiful Shades of Brown
By: Nancy Churnin
Illustrated by:
Felicia Marshall
Felicia Marshall
ISBN: 9781939547651
Nonfiction, 4-6, Biography / Memoir
Click Clack Goodnight
By: Doreen Cronin
Illustrated by:
Betsy Lewin
Betsy Lewin
ISBN: 9781534451087
Fiction, 4-6, Animals
The Heart of Mi Familia
By: Carrie Lara
Illustrated by:
Christine Battuz
Christine Battuz
ISBN: 9781433832536
Fiction, 4-6, Diversity
How Do Dinosaurs Show Good Manners?
By: Jane Yolen
Illustrated by:
Mark Teague
Mark Teague
ISBN: 9781338363340
Fiction, 4-6, Animals
Age 3-8: Best Picture Book Page Finalists
Winner
How to Spot an Artist
By: Viola Butler
Illustrated by:
Danielle Krysa
Danielle Krysa
ISBN: 9783791374406
Nonfiction, 4-6, Music / Art
All Along the River
By: Magnus Weightman
Illustrated by:
Magnus Weightman
Magnus Weightman
ISBN: 9781605375182
Fiction, 4-6, Animals
All Because You Matter
By: Tami Charles
Illustrated by:
Bryan Collier
Bryan Collier
ISBN: 9781338574852
Fiction, 4-6, Diversity
The Alphabet’s Alphabet
By: Chris Harris
Illustrated by:
Dan Santat
Dan Santat
ISBN: 9780316266604
Fiction, 4-6, Concepts
Arlo The Lion Who Couldn’t Sleep
By: Catherine Rayner
Illustrated by:
Catherine Rayner
Catherine Rayner
ISBN: 9781682632222
Fiction, 4-6, Animals
Babbit and Joan, a Rabbit and a Phone
By: Denise Turu
Illustrated by:
Denise Turu
Denise Turu
ISBN: 9781947888203
Fiction, 4-6, Animals
Age 3-8: Favorite Early Reader Series Finalists
Winner
Billie B. Brown Series
By: Sally Rippin
Illustrated by:
Aki Fukuoka
Aki Fukuoka
ISBN: 9781684641321
Fiction, 4-6, Contemporary
Elephant and Piggie Like Reading! Series
By: Ryan T. Higgins and Mo Willems
ISBN: 9781368045735
Fiction, 4-6, Animals
Feel Better Books Series
By: Leah Bowen and Holly Brochmann
Illustrated by:
Shirley Ng
Shirley Ng
ISBN: 9781433832406
Nonfiction, 4-6, Health
Little Monster Series
By: Helen Ketteman
Illustrated by:
Bonnie Leick
Bonnie Leick
ISBN: 9781542092081
Fiction, 4-6, Fantasy
Little People, BIG DREAMS Series
By: Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara
Illustrated by:
Sophie Beer
Sophie Beer
ISBN: 9780711258402
Nonfiction, 4-6, Biography / Memoir
The Magnificent Makers Series
By: Theanne Griffith
Illustrated by:
Reggie Brown
Reggie Brown
ISBN: 9780593123102
Fiction, 4-6, Fantasy
Age 3-8: Favorite Illustrated Character Finalists
Winner
The Princess in Black and the Giant Problem
By: Shannon Hale, Dean Hale
Illustrated by:
LeUyen Pham
LeUyen Pham
ISBN: 9781536202229
Fiction, 4-6, Humor
Bee Heartful
By: Frank J. Sileo
Illustrated by:
Claire Keay
Claire Keay
ISBN: 9781433831577
Fiction, 4-6, Animals
Little Blue Truck’s Valentine
By: Alice Schertle
Illustrated by:
Jill McElmurry
Jill McElmurry
ISBN: 9780358272441
Fiction, 4-6, Animals
The Noisy Classroom
By: Angela Shanté
Illustrated by:
Alison Hawkins
Alison Hawkins
ISBN: 9781513262925
Fiction, 4-6, Contemporary
This Old Dog
By: Martha Brockenbrough
Illustrated by:
Gabriel Alborozo
Gabriel Alborozo
ISBN: 9781646140107
Fiction, 4-6, Animals
Age 8-12: Best Book of Facts Finalists
Winner
Hop To It
By: Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong
Illustrated by:
Franzi Paetzold
Franzi Paetzold
ISBN: 9781937057299
Nonfiction, 7-12, Poetry
50 Adventures in the 50 States
By: Kate Siber
Illustrated by:
Lydia Hill
Lydia Hill
ISBN: 9780711254459
Nonfiction, 7-12, Science
Brave. Black. First.
By: Cheryl Hudson
Illustrated by:
Erin K. Robinson
Erin K. Robinson
ISBN: 9780525645818
Nonfiction, 7-12, Biography / Memoir
I Ate Sunshine for Breakfast
By: Michael Holland
Illustrated by:
Phillip Giordano
Phillip Giordano
ISBN: 9781912497744
Nonfiction, 7-12, Science
A Search for the Northern Lights
By: Elizabeth Rusch and Izzi Rusch
Illustrated by:
Cedar Lee
Cedar Lee
ISBN: 9781513262901
Fiction, 7-12, Science
Age 8-12: Best Graphic Novel Finalists
Winner
When Stars Are Scattered
By: Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed
Illustrated by:
Victoria Jamieson and Iman Geddy
Victoria Jamieson and Iman Geddy
ISBN: 9780525553915
Fiction, 7-12, Diversity
Age 8-12: Favorite Author Finalists
Before the Ever After
By: Jacqueline Woodson
ISBN: 9780399545436
Fiction, 7-12, Mental/Physical Health
Tower of Nero (The Trials of Apollo #5)
By: Rick Riordan
ISBN: 9781484746455
Fiction, 7-12, Action / Adventure
