Skip to content
2024
2023
- Advocate Person of the Year, 2023
- Bookstagram Best Future Classic of 2023
The Babka Sisters
- Winner, Bookstagram Best of 2023
The Babka Sisters
- QSpirit Top 23 Best LGBTQ Christian Book of 2023
Always Matt: A Tribute to Matthew Shepard
- Nomination, Best of the Net 2023
“The Passionate Lesbian To Her Cat”
- Massachusetts Poetry Community Award, 2023
- Finalist, Delaware Diamonds Elementary List, 2023 -2024
Alicia and the Hurricane: A Story of Puerto Rico/Alicia y el huracán: Un cuento de Puerto Rico
- Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Picture Books of the Year in Spanish
(2023 Edition) Starred Book
Alicia and the Hurricane: A Story of Puerto Rico/Alicia y el huracán: Un cuento de Puerto Rico
- Margaret Wise Brown Board Book List, 2023
1-2-3 Cats
2022
- Center for Multicultural Best Books of the Year List, 2022
Alicia and the Hurricane: A Story of Puerto Rico/Alicia y el huracán: Un cuento de Puerto Rico
- PJ Library Author Incentive Award, 2022
The Babka Sisters
- Book Riot Best Children’s Books of All Time, 2022
Heather Has Two Mommies
- Winner, Massachusetts Poetry Book Award Honor, 2022
I Wish My Father
- Junior Library Guild Selection, 2022
Alicia and the Hurricane: A Story of Puerto Rico/Alicia y el huracán: Un cuento de Puerto Rico
- Certificate of Excellence, Cat Writers Association, 2022
1-2-3 Cats and A-B-C Cats
- Finalist, Nina Riggs Poetry Award, 2022
“The First Time We Visit”
2021
- Charlotte Zolotow Highly Commended Book, 2021-2022
Welcoming Elijah: A Passover Tale With A Tail
- Finalist, Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Award, 2021-2022
Gittel’s Journey: An Ellis Island Story
- Bank Street Best Children’s Books of the Year, 2021
1-2-3 Cats and A-B-C Cats
- Nomination, Pushcart Prize, 2021
“My Mother Is At The Bridge”
- Finalist, American Book Fest Contemporary Poetry Award, 2021
I Wish My Father
- Bank Street College Best Books of the Year, 2021
Remembering Ethan
- Chicago Public Libraries Best Books of the Year List, 2021
1-2-3 Cats
- Kirkus Best 100 Picture Books of the Year List, 2021
As Babies Dream
- Kirkus Best Bedtime Books of the Year List, 2021
As Babies Dream
- Finalist, Foreword Indie Book of the Year Awards, 2021
As Babies Dream
2020
Winner, National Jewish Book Award, 2020
Welcoming Elijah: A Passover Tale With A Tail- Certificate of Excellence, Cat Writers Association, 2020
Welcoming Elijah: A Passover Tale With A Tail
- Research for Readers Best Mentor Texts of the Year, 2020
Welcoming Elijah: A Passover Tale With A Tail
- Tablet Magazine Best Children’s Books of the Year, 2020
Welcoming Elijah: A Passover Tale With A Tail
- School Library Journal Holiday Books List, 2020
Welcoming Elijah: A Passover Tale With A Tail
- Winner, Northern Dawn Religious/Spiritual Children’s Book Award, 2020
Welcoming Elijah: A Passover Tale with a Tail
- Winner, Robinson Jeffers Tor House Poetry Awards, Honorable Mention, 2020
“The First Time We Visit”
- Massachusetts Center for the Book, “Must Read” Title, 2020
Gittel’s Journey: An Ellis Island Story
- Honorable Mention, Allen Ginsberg Poetry Awards, 2020
“My Mother Is At The Bridge”
- Bank Street College of Education Best Books of the Year, 2020
Gittel’s Journey: An Ellis Island Story
Winner, Sydney Taylor Body of Work Award, 2020- Winner, Sydney Taylor Silver Medal, 2020
Gittel’s Journey: An Ellis Island Story
2019
- Finalist, International School of Beijing Panda Book Awards, 2019-2020
Sparkle Boy
- Winner, National Jewish Book Award, 2019
Gittel’s Journey: An Ellis Island Story
- Christopher Award, 2019
Gittel’s Journey: An Ellis Island Story
- Wall Street Journal Top Ten Children’s Book of the Year, 2019
Gittel’s Journey: An Ellis Island Story
- Tablet Magazine Top Ten Children’s Book of the Year, 2019
Gittel’s Journey: An Ellis Island Story
- Washington Post Best Children’s Books of the Year List, 2019
Gittel’s Journey: An Ellis Island Story
- New York Public Library Best Children’s Books of the Year List, 2019
Gittel’s Journey: An Ellis Island Story
- A Mighty Girl’s Books of the Year List, 2019
Gittel’s Journey: An Ellis Island Story
2018
- Matthew Shepard Foundation Making A Difference Award, 2018
- Honor Book, Massachusetts Book Award, 2018
Sparkle Boy
- Storytelling World Resource Awards Honor Book, 2018
Sparkle Boy
- Bank Street College of Education Best Books of the Year, 2018
Sparkle Boy
- Honor Book, Bank Street Center for Children’s Literature Irma Black Award, 2018
Sparkle Boy
- Winner, Missouri State Librarians Show Me Award, 2018
Ketzel, The Cat Who Composed
2017
- Greater Kansas City Association of School Librarians Great Kids Can Read Award, 2017-2018
Ketzel, The Cat Who Composed
- Finalist, Indiana Young Hoosier Book Award, 2017–2018
Ketzel, The Cat Who Composed
- Golden Crown Literary Society Lee Lynch Classic Award, 2017
Heather Has Two Mommies
- Abraham Lincoln Illinois High School Book Award Master List, 2017
October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard
2016
- Finalist, Tillie Olsen Short Story Award, 2016
“Mr. Clean”
- Winner, Massachusetts Center for the Book “Must Read” Title, 2016
I Carry My Mother
- Winner, Massachusetts Book Award, 2016
Ketzel, The Cat Who Composed
- Winner, World Best Cat Litter-ary Award, 2016
Ketzel, The Cat Who Composed
- Winner, Cat Writers’ Association Muse Medallion for Best Children’s Book, 2016
Ketzel, The Cat Who Composed
- Winner, Golden Crown Literary Society (“Goldie”) Award, 2016
I Carry My Mother
- Pushcart Prize Nomination, 2016
“I Carry My Mother”
- Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC) Choices, 2016
Heather Has Two Mommies
- Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC) Choices, 2016
Ketzel, The Cat Who Composed
- Winner, American Jewish Library Association Sydney Taylor Award, 2016
Ketzel, The Cat Who Composed
2015
- Junior Library Guild Best Jewish Children’s Books, 2015
Ketzel, The Cat Who Composed
- Los Angeles Public Library List of Best Children’s Books, 2015
Ketzel, The Cat Who Composed
- School Library Journal’s Give the Gift of Music “Great Books” List, 2015
Ketzel, The Cat Who Composed
- All the Wonders Best Nonfiction Books, 2015
Ketzel, The Cat Who Composed
- The Sugarman Family Jewish Book Award, 2015
My Name Is Aviva
- Junior Library Guild Selection, 2015
Ketzel, The Cat Who Composed
2014
- Nominee, South Carolina Young Adult Book Award, 2014-2015
October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard
- Nominee, Missouri Association of School Librarians Gateway Readers Award, 2014-2015
October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard
- Finalist, Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Award, 2014-2015
- Finalist, New York State Reading Association Charlotte Book Award, 2014
October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard
- Winner, Florida Council of Teachers of English Joan F. Kaywell Books Save Lives Award, 2014
October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard
- Kentucky Bluegrass Award Master List, 2014
October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard
- Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) Outstanding Books for the College Bound selection (Literature and Language Arts category) 2014
- Texas Library Association TAYSHAS High School Reading List, 2014
October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard
2013
- Featured Book, Diversity Author Series (Campus-Wide Read), Lawrence Academy, Groton, MA 2013-2014
October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard
- Arkansas Teen Book Awards Young Adult List, 2013-2014
October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard
- “Read On” Wisconsin Selection, 2013-2014
October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard
- National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Notable Poetry List, 2013
October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard
- Maine State Library “Cream of the Crop” Fiction List, 2013
October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard
- Top Fifty Poem, Provincetown Outermost Poetry Contest, 2013
“Teen Angels”
- Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Book of the Year List, 2013
October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard
- Winner, International Reading Association Young Adults’ Choices Reading List, 2013
October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard
- Massachusetts Book Awards “Must-Read” Book, 2013
October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard
- Young Adult Library Services Association Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults, 2013
October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard
- Audie Award, Multiple-Voice Performance Category, 2013
October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard
- Finalist, Martin Luther King “Living the Dream” Book Award, 2013
Donovan’s Big Day
- Finalist, Provincetown Outermost Cape Poetry Contest, 2013
“Teen Angels”
- American Library Association Stonewall Honor Book, 2013
October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard
- American Library Association LGBT Round Table Rainbow Book, 2013
October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard
- Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People, 2013
October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard
- Young Adult Library Services Association Best Fiction for Young Adults Book, 2013
October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard
- Nominee, Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) Reader’s Choice List, 2013
October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard
- Sydney Taylor Honor Book, 2013
A Sweet Passover
2012
- Campus Book-in Common Selection, Spalding University, 2012-2013
October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard
- Nerdy Book Club Poetry Award, 2012
October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard
- Poetry Foundation Children’s Poet Laureate Pick November 2012
October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard
- Starred Review, Booklist, September 15, 2012
October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard
- Audiofile Earphones Award, 2012
October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard (audiobook)
- Finalist, Dog Writers Association Maxwell Medallion Award, 2012
I Remember: Hachiko Speaks
2011
- Winner, Voices of Youth Award (VOYA) Skokie Public Library, Skokie, IL 2011
Hachiko Waits
- Winner, Bluestem Illinois Readers Choice Award, 2011
Hachiko Waits
2010
- Second Runner Up, Solstice Literary Journal Poetry Prize, 2010
“Poem for Two Dogs Hanged in Salem, Massachusetts, 1692”
- Finalist, ForeWord Reviews Book of the Year, General Fiction Category, 2010
The Reluctant Daughter
- Hachamat Lev Award, 2010
Awarded by Keshet Foundation “For enduring commitment to justice and full inclusion for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people in the Jewish community and beyond.”
- American Library Association Notable Children’s Books 2010
Mommy, Mama, and Me
- American Library Association Stonewall Book Awards 2010
Honor Books: Mommy, Mama, and Me; Daddy, Papa, and Me
- American Library Association Rainbow List of GLBT Books for Children and Teens
Mommy, Mama, and Me; Daddy, Papa, and Me
- Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC) Choices 2010
Mommy, Mama, and Me; Daddy, Papa, and Me
2009
- Certificate of Excellence, Cat Writers of America, 2009
“Old Girl”
- Muse Medallion, Cat Writers of American 2009
“Old Girl”
- Certificate of Excellence, Dog Writers Association of America
“Mon Ami”
- Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Best Book Award, 2009
Mommy, Mama, and Me; Daddy, Papa, and Me
- Burning Bush Poetry Award, 2009
“What the Angel Really Said”
- Quill and Ink Poetry Award, 2009
Awarded by the Florence Poets Society, Florence, MA
2008
- Poet Laureate of Northampton, Massachusetts, 2008
2007
- Nominee, Young Hoosier Book Award, Intermediate Category, 2007-2008
Hachiko Waits
- Nominee, Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Book Award, 2007
Hachiko Waits
- Finalist, Sow Ear’s Poetry Review Competition, 2007
“Jewish Tradition”
- Semi-Finalist, Pablo Neruda Prize for Poetry, Nimrod: An International Journal of Poetry and Prose, 2007
“The Woodgatherer Speaks”
- Semi-Finalist, National Literary Awards, Salem College Women’s Center, Winston-Salem, NC, 2007
“Mother”
2006
- Nominee, West Virginia Children’s Book Award, 2006-2007
Hachiko Waits
- Volunteer State Book Award Master List, 2006-2007
Hachiko Waits
- Continuing the Legacy of Stonewall Award, presented by the University of Massachusetts Stonewall Center, 2006
- ALA Amelia Bloomer List of Feminist Titles for Young Readers, 2006
A Fire Engine for Ruthie
- Finalist, Reader/Selector List for Show Me Readers Award (Missouri Association of School Librarians), 2006
The Best Cat in the World
- Nomination, Best Book for Young Adults, 2006
Jailbait
- Nomination, Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, 2006
Jailbait
- Nomination, Great Lakes’ Great Book Award, 2006
Hachiko Waits
2005
- Winner, Emphasis on Reading Alabama’s Children’s Choice Book Award Program, 2005-2006
Hachiko Waits
- Kiriyama Prize Notable Book, 2005
Hachiko Waits
- Bank Street College of Education, Best Children’s Books of the Year 2005
Hachiko Waits
- Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List, 2005
Hachiko Waits
- ASPCA Henry Bergh Honor Book, 2005
Hachiko Waits
- Children’s Book Council & International Reading Assoc. Children’s Choices List, 2005
The Best Cat in the World
- Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Book, Gold Seal Award, 2005
A Fire Engine for Ruthie
2004
- Muse Medallion, Cat Writers Association, 2004
The Best Cat in the World
- Booksense Pick of the List, fall 2004
Hachiko Waits
- Certificate of Excellence, Cat Writers Association, 2004
The Best Cat in the World
- Booksense Pick of the List, Spring/Summer 2004
The Boy Who Cried Fabulous
- Seal of Approval, National Parenting Center, 2004
The Boy Who Cried Fabulous
2003
- Finalist, Sue Saniel Elkind Poetry Contest, 2003
The Last Word
- Nomination, Pushcart Prize, 2003
Nominated by the poet, Antler
- Honorable Mention, The Arch and Bruce Brown Foundation, 2003
A Letter to Harvey Milk
2002
- Association of Jewish Libraries Notable Book for Young Readers, 2002
Runaway Dreidel!
- Finalist, Lambda Literary Awards, Romance Category, 2002
She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not
- Finalist, Lambda Literary Awards, Anthology Category, 2002
Bedroom Eyes: Stories of Lesbians in the Boudoir
- Finalist, Lambda Literary Awards, Children’s Book Category, 2002
Felicia’s Favorite Story
2001
- American Booksellers Association Pick of the Lists, Picture Books, 2001
Cats, Cats, Cats!
2000
- Finalist, Lambda Literary Award, Lesbian Poetry Category, 2000
Signs of Love
- Grant Recipient, Money for Women/Barbara Deming Memorial Fund, Inc., 2000
Awarded on the basis of the short story, “Keeping a Breast”
- Winner, Americus Review Poetry Contest, 2000
“The Politics of Buddy”
- Nomination, Pushcart Prize, 2000
Nominated by the poet, Antler
1995-1999
- First Place Winner, Vice Versa Awards for Excellence in the Gay and Lesbian Press, Humor Category, 1999
“Cher Heaven”
- Induction, Jericho High School Hall of Fame, 1999
- Finalist, Lambda Literary Awards, Poetry Category, 1998
The Little Butch Book
- Finalist, Small Press Book Awards, 1998
Out of the Closet and Nothing to Wear
- Nomination, Pushcart Prize, 1998
Nominated by the poet, Antler, for poems from Still Life with Buddy
- Finalist, Iowa Teen Award, 1997-1998
Fat Chance
- Poetry Fellowship, National Endowment for the Arts, 1997
Awarded on the basis of a selection from Still Life with Buddy
- Books for the Teen Age, 1996
A Loving Testimony: Remembering Loved Ones Lost to AIDS
Selected by Office of Young Adult Services, The New York Public Library
- Community Services Award, 1995
Presented by the Massachusetts Lesbian and Gay Political Caucus
- Finalist, Lambda Literary Award, Anthology Category, 1995
A Loving Testimony: Remembering Loved Ones Lost to AIDS
- Gemini Award, Best Short Drama 1995
Spoken Word: “A Letter to Harvey Milk”
Presented by The Canadian Academy of Film and Television
1990-1994
- Finalist, Lambda Literary Award, Children’s Book Category, 1994
Saturday Is Pattyday
- Silver Award, The Parents’ Choice Foundation, 1994
Fat Chance
- James Baldwin Award For Cultural Achievement, 1993
awarded by The Greater Boston Area Lesbian/Gay Political Alliance
- Winner, Highlights For Children Fiction Writing Contest, 1992
Remember That
- Author of the Month: Highlights For Children, December 1992
Remember That
- Finalist, Lambda Literary Award, Children’s Book Category, 1992
Gloria Goes To Gay Pride
- Winner, Best Narrative Film, Ann Arbor Film Festival, 1990
“A Letter to Harvey Milk”, Produced by Yariv Cohen
- Finalist, Lambda Literary Award, Children’s Book Category, 1990
Heather Has Two Mommies
1980s
- Poetry Fellowship, Massachusetts Artist Foundation, 1989
awarded on the basis of a selection of poems
- Commendation, National Poetry Competition, 1988
sponsored by the Chester H. Jones Foundation: “What Good”
- Second Place Finalist, 1987 Raymond Carver Short Story Competition, 1987
“Something to Pass the Time”
- Honorable Mention, Urban Arts in Transit Competition 1987
“Songs for Ten Scallops”
- Runner Up, American Poetry Association Love Poem Competition, 1987
“Love after love after love after love and finally”
Winner, American Jewish Library Association Sydney Taylor Award, 2021