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Georgia Children's Book Awards

The Georgia Children’s Book Award was established in 1968 by Sheldon Root, a professor in the Department of Language Education in the College of Education at the University of Georgia. The purpose of the award is to foster a love of reading in the children of Georgia and to introduce them to books of literary excellence. The annual award is given in two categories: picture books and middle-grade books. The selection process involves teachers, school library media specialists, public librarians, and tens of thousands of youth from across the state.

The book awards are also closely connected to the annual Georgia Conference on Children’s Literature . Have a question? Email us !

Vote Here for the 2024 GCBA Winners

Voting Deadline: March 1st, 2024
Cast Your Vote

Upcoming Dates

GCBA Membership

Interested in becoming part of GCBA? Apply now to be a member of the 2024-2027 GCBA Committees! The application window will close on March 28th, 2024.

GCBA Selection Committee Application

Download the 2025 Book Finalists

Congratulations to our 2023 winners!

Chez Bob

Written and illustrated by Bob Shea

(Picturebook, Grades K-4 Winner)

Millionaires for the Month

Written by Stacy McAnulty

(Book, Grades 4-8 Winner)

Educator Resources

Past Award Winners

GCBA Winners 1968-Present (PDF)
2022-2023
  • Book Award:
    Millionaires for the Month
    written by Stacy McAnulty
  • Picture book Award:
    Chez Bob
    written and illustrated by Bob Shea
2021-2022
  • Book Award:
    When Stars are Scattered
    written by Omar Mohamed and illustrated by Victoria Jamieson
  • Picture book Award:
    I am a Tiger
    written by Karl Newson and illustrated by Ross Collins
2020-2021
  • Book Award:
    They Called Us Enemy
    by George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott,
    and Harmony Becker
  • Picturebook Award:
    Hair Love
    by Matthew A. Cherry
    and Vashti Harrison
2019-2020
  • Book Award:
    Resistance
    by Jennifer A. Nielsen
  • Picturebook Award:
    We Don’t Eat Our Classmates
    by Ryan T. Higgins
2018-2019
  • Book Award:
    A Dog Like Daisy
    by Kristin O’Donnell Tubb
  • Picturebook Award:
    Not Quite Narwhal
    by Jessie Sima
2017-2018
  • Book Award:
    Projekt 1065
    by Alan Gratz
  • Picturebook Award:
    It Came in the Mail
    by Ben Clanton
2016-2017
  • Book Award:
    Fuzzy Mud
    by Louis Sachar
  • Picturebook Award:
    Gaston
    by Kelly DiPucchio
    and Christian Robinson
2015-2016
  • Book Award:
    A Snicker of Magic
    by Natalie Lloyd
  • Picturebook Award:
    Breaking News: Bear Alert
    by David Biedrzycki
2014-2015
  • Book Award:
    Michael Vey: the Prisoner of Cell 25
    by Richard Paul Evans
  • Picturebook Award:
    Ol’ Clip-Clop: A Ghost Story
    by Patricia McKissack
    and Eric Velasquez
2013-2014
  • Book Award:
    Wonder
    by R.J. Palacio
  • Picturebook Award:
    Sylvie
    by Jennifer Sattler
2012-2013
  • Book Award:
    Hero
    by Mike Lupica
  • Picturebook Award:
    When a Dragon Moves In
    by Jodi Moore
    and Howard McWilliam
2011-2012
  • Book Award:
    The Hunger Games
    by Suzanne Collins
  • Picturebook Award:
    I Need My Monster
    by Amanda Noll
    and Howard McWilliam

Archives and Other Resources

About the Awards

Established in 1968 by Sheldon Root, professor in the Department of Language Education in the College of Education at the University of Georgia, the purpose of the Georgia Children’s Book Awards is to foster a love of reading in the children of Georgia, and to introduce them to books of literary excellence.

The award is given in two categories – picture books and middle-grade novels. Books are nominated for awards by teachers, media specialists, and other children’s literature enthusiasts from the state of Georgia. The final list of 20 nominees is selected by a committee of teachers, school media specialists, and public librarians (chaired by a member of the faculty from the Department of Language and Literacy Education).

Throughout the year, teachers and media specialists are encouraged to present the nominees in appealing and meaningful ways, read the books aloud, and develop activities that connect the literature to the curriculum. Students across the state will vote on which books they think should win for the individual categories.

The books receiving the most votes from children in grades K-4 (picturebook category) and 4-8 (novel category) are the winners. The authors and illustrators of the winning books are often featured speakers at the annual Conference on Children’s Literature held at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education in Athens, Georgia, which is held in March.

Learn About Our Committees

Download Committee Information

Nomination and Voting

We welcome public nominations and votes from schools and public libraries. Here, we offer nomination guidelines and voting resources to make the process simple and fun!
Download a Certificate

Print your own certificates for students who participate.

Certificate of Participation (PDF)

Download Stickers

Print stickers for students who vote for their favorite books and GCBA seals.

Sticker (PDF) Seal (PDF)

Voting Inspiration

Find inspiration from others’ polling places, or share images of your own!

Our Pinterest Board

Newsletter

Visit Newsletter Archive

Contact Info

© University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602
706‑542‑3000