Winners
Young Reader: Nonfiction (8-12 Years)
2021 FINALISTS - YOUNG READER: NONFICTION (8-12 YEARS)
On March 24, 2021, IBPA announced the following three finalists in the YOUNG READER: NONFICTION (8-12 YEARS) category. Register to attend the virtual award ceremony on May 13th to learn which book wins Gold.
2024 WINNERS - YOUNG READER: NONFICTION (8-12 YEARS)
See below for the list of 2024 winners in the YOUNG READER: NONFICTION (8-12 YEARS) category, for books with a copyright date of 2023.
Teaching Tornero: The True Story of a Sloth Superstar
2024 Gold Winner
Author: Georgeanne Irvine
Publisher: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Press
ISBN: 9781943198177
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When Tornero the two-toed sloth was born at the San Diego Zoo, he was destined to become a superstar. Teaching Tornero tells the story of how—with the help of his mom and his wildlife care team—he became a wildlife ambassador and now inspires people to care about sloths, their habitat, and conservation.
Amazing Omeo
2024 Silver Winner
Author: Georgeanne Irvine
Publisher: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Press
ISBN: 9781943198214
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Omeo’s mother died while he was still in her pouch so wildlife care and veterinary teams at the San Diego Zoo had to step in to save his life and raise him. Amazing Omeo tells the story of his strong will to survive against all odds. Omeo is now thriving at the Zoo.
Angela & Lulingu: Two Gorillas, a World Apart
2024 Silver Winner
Author: Brenda Scott Royce
Publisher: Blue Sneaker Press
ISBN: 9781943198191
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Two young gorillas–one in Los Angeles, the other in the heart of Africa–have inspired millions of people to care about gorillas and their future. Angela is a western lowland gorilla who lives with her family at the Los Angeles Zoo. Orphaned as an infant, Lulingu is a Grauer's gorilla who lives at GRACE, a sanctuary in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Though their stories are different, the two have much in common–and a lot to teach the world about what makes gorillas so special!
2023 WINNERS - YOUNG READER: NONFICTION (8-12 YEARS)
See below for the list of 2023 winners in the YOUNG READER: NONFICTION (8-12 YEARS) category, for books with a copyright date of 2022.
Raising Don: The True Story of a Spunky Baby Tapir
2023 Gold Winner
Author: Georgeanne Irvine
Publisher: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Press
ISBN: 978-1-943198-14-6
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Raising Don is the true story of Don the spunky tapir, who not only survived a rocky beginning to life but also learned to thrive. Don showed that with a confident, spirited attitude, anything is possible, including bringing hope to the future of endangered Baird’s tapirs.
Be Nice. The End. Simple Wisdom of the Playground Kids
2023 Silver Winner
Author/Illustrator: by Bryan Skavnak, illustrated by Wendy Kieffer Shragg
Publisher: Wise Ink Creative
ISBN: 978-1-63489-466-1
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Be Nice. The End. features thought provoking messages on inclusion, empathy, acceptance, courage, perseverance, perspective and kindness from inspirational speaker, Bryan Skavnak and darling diverse faces illustrated by Wendy Kieffer Shragg. This book teaches us that the playgrounds of life are better when everyone – no matter their age, skin color, ability, shape or size – is nice.
Gaby's Latin American Kitchen: 70 Kid-Tested and Kid-Approved Recipes for Young Chefs
2023 Silver Winner
Author: Gaby Melian
Publisher: America's Test Kitchen
ISBN: 978-1-954210-26-4
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Gaby’s Latin American Kitchen invites kids to travel the world of Latin America with 70 recipes, incorporating Gaby’s take on dishes from across the region like completos chilenos (Chilean hot dogs), Cuban ropa vieja (shredded beef stew), Argentinian empanadas de pollo (chicken turnovers) and more.
2022 WINNERS - YOUNG READER: NONFICTION (8-12 YEARS)
See below for the list of 2022 winners in the YOUNG READER: NONFICTION (8-12 YEARS) category, for books with a copyright date of 2021.
All About Marie Curie
2022 Gold Winner
Author/Illustrator: by Claire Caprioli, illustrations by Moriah McReynolds
Publisher: Blue River Press
ISBN: 978-1-68157-180-5
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Marie Curie, perhaps better known as Madame Curie, would go on to be the first woman to be awarded a Nobel Prize when she received her Nobel Prize in Physics. When she was given her Nobel Prize in Chemistry, she became the first person to ever win two Nobel Prizes!
Head to Head: 18 Linked Portraits of People Who Changed the World
2022 Silver Winner
Author/Illustrator: Baptist Cornabas, illustrated by Antoine Corbineau
Publisher: Schiffer Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-7643-6226-2
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Can you guess what Leonardo da Vinci and Steve Jobs have in common? Or Angelina Jolie and Mother Teresa? Discover how these individuals changed the course of history with their ideas, discoveries, actions, and inventions. Short biographies of two seemingly unrelated figures are presented side by side and then open up to a spread discussing their common traits and how their discoveries and actions paved the way for each other and future activists.
The Secrets of Dinosaurs: PNSO Encyclopedia for Children
2022 Silver Winner
Authors: Zhao Chuang, Yang Yang
Publisher: Brown Books Kids
ISBN: 978-1-61254-515-8
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For years, humans have marveled at dinosaurs and have strived to learn more about these great beasts. With beautifully detailed illustrations and thorough information on nearly one hundred species spanning three geological periods, this first volume from the PNSO Children’s Encyclopedia will immerse you in their world and teach you all the secrets of dinosaurs!
2021 WINNERS - YOUNG READER: NONFICTION (8-12 YEARS)
See below for the list of 2021 winners in the YOUNG READER: NONFICTION (8-12 YEARS) category, for books with a copyright date of 2020. Click here to watch the Gold and Silver winner speeches.
Saving Moka: The True Tale of a Rescued Tiger Cub
2021 Gold Winner
Author: Georgeanne Irvine
Publisher: San Diego Zoo Global Press
ISBN: 978-1-943198-12-2
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Rescued from wildlife traffickers, Moka the tiger cub was given a new start in life at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. But, Moka would soon face some unexpected health challenges. This is the true story of Moka’s rescue and the people—and tiger friend—who would help save him.
All About the Appalachian Trail
2021 Silver Winner
Author: Leonard M. Adkins, illustrated by Kirsten Halvorsen
Publisher: Blue River Press
ISBN: 978-1-68157-099-0
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Winding through fourteen states from Georgia to Maine the Appalachian Trail is one of the world’s most iconic hiking trails and a testament to the power of cooperation. This book is written by Leonard Adkins an experienced author and AT thru-hiker and illustrated with more than 50 maps and drawings.
Galileo! Galileo!
2021 Silver Winner
Authors and Illustrators: Holly Trechter and Jane Donovan
Publisher: Sky Candle Press
ISBN: 978-1-939360-08-3
A funny, exciting graphic novel about NASA’s Galileo mission to Jupiter. “Students of the history of space exploration are in for a wild ride,” says School Library Journal. Also selected as one of 2021’s “Best STEM Books” by the National Science Teaching Association, in cooperation with the Children’s Book Council.
2020 WINNERS - YOUNG READER: NONFICTION (8-12 YEARS)
See below for the list of 2020 winners in the YOUNG READER: NONFICTION (8-12 YEARS) category, for books with a copyright date of 2019.
Mosi Musa: A True Tale About a Baby Monkey Raised by His Grandma
2020 Gold Winner
Author: Georgeanne Irvine
Publisher: San Diego Zoo Global Press
ISBN: 978-1-943198-09-2
Mosi Musa is a baby vervet monkey, who had a challenging start to life. Grandma Thelma stepped in to raise him when he needed her the most.
Meet the Disney Brothers
2020 Silver Winner
Author: Aaron H. Goldberg, illustrated by Rob Yeo
Publisher: Quaker Scribe
ISBN: 978-1-7336420-0-2
Walt and Roy Disney built the world’s most popular theme parks and brought to life some of the best-known cartoon characters in family entertainment. The story of their lives is a wonderful tale of hard work, determination, and cooperation.
Peace, Love, Action! Everyday Acts of Goodness
2020 Silver Winner
Author: Tanya Zabinski
Publisher: Plum Blossom Books
ISBN: 978-1-946764-47-8
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An illustrated, illuminated A-Z of everyday actions that directly make a peaceful, fun, and vibrant world.
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Independent Book Publishers Association
Founded to support independent publishers nationwide, the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) leads and serves the independent publishing community through advocacy, education, and tools for success. With over 3,200 members, IBPA is the largest independent publishing association in the U.S. Its vision is a world where every independent publisher has the access, knowledge, and tools needed to professionally engage in all aspects of an inclusive publishing industry.
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