2025 Award-Winning Children’s Books – Reader Views Literary Awards
Each year, the Reader Views Literary Awards recognize outstanding independent authors and small presses whose work rises above the competition. These books are selected through a rigorous editorial review process by our team of professional reviewers — not algorithms, not sales numbers. Just careful, thoughtful reading.
Below are the 2025 award winners in our children’s categories, from picture books for toddlers through middle grade fiction and non-fiction. Every book on this list is independently published or from a small press, and every one has earned its place here.
Picture Books – Preschool & Toddler (Ages 0–5)
These books are perfect for bedtime reading, early language development, and building a love of stories from the very beginning.
GOLD: The Tail That Told the Truth – Jory Perry, Independently Published
SILVER: Eli the Eel – Trina Burkhart, GramWorks Studio
BRONZE: Stop Snoring, Dad! – Jackie Myers, Halo Publishing International
FINALIST: Cal Has Three Legs – Sasha Milena Filipovich, Tellwell
Early Readers – Fiction (Ages 6–8)
Ideal for newly independent readers, these books balance engaging storytelling with age-appropriate vocabulary and themes.
GOLD: The Roll-Away Snowman – Junia Wonders, Gmuer Verlag
SILVER: Wagon of Worries – Ruthie Godfrey, Independently Published
SILVER: At the Ragtag Hotel: The Elevator Ride – Freya Novak, Independently Published
BRONZE: No Books For Benjamin? – R.G. de Rouen, Globetrotter Stories
BRONZE: Welcome Baby Wigglet – A.M. Berkowitz, Book Baby
FINALIST: Jo-Jo Finds His Voice! – Jon Neal Selzer, Today’s Seeds Press
FINALIST: Humm Goes North – Doreen Baker, Reen Publishing
Early Readers – Non-Fiction (Ages 6–8)
Non-fiction for young readers that sparks curiosity and builds real-world knowledge in an accessible, engaging way.
GOLD: Hu-Ubuntu I Am Because We Are – Patrick Makokoro, Hu-Ubuntu Consulting
SILVER: The Girl Who Kept Going – Tiffany McCarty, Independently Published
Middle Grade – Fiction (Ages 8–12)
These middle grade novels tackle adventure, identity, friendship, and imagination — perfect for readers who are ready for longer, more complex stories.
GOLD: When the Sky Turned to Dust – Catherine Matthias, Moon Glow Books LLC
SILVER: Lost in Bone Cave – Danielle Simone, Creative Mind Publications
SILVER: The Banana from Space and Other Stories from Riverstone – Olga Podoprigora, Gora Realms
BRONZE: The Cherayroos: Underground Rules – S.P. Doran, Independently Published
BRONZE: The Potion Experiment – Elle McFadzean, Independently Published
FINALIST: Mail-Order Monsters: Crash Course – Silvia Acevedo, Three Points Publishing
FINALIST: A Boy’s Best Comrade – Lauren Ennis, Independently Published
Middle Grade – Non-Fiction (Ages 8–12)
Award-winning non-fiction for middle grade readers covering history, science, adventure, and the world around them.
GOLD: Where We Land: A Boy, A Plane, and a Dream – Donald Osborn and Anna Henkens Schmidt, Independently Published
SILVER: Hu-Ubuntu I Am Because We Are – Patrick Makokoro, Hu-Ubuntu Books
BRONZE: Something’s Fishy! – Mark Morgan, Outskirts Press
FINALIST: RATS With Backpacks – J.N. Courtney, J.N. Courtney Publications
FINALIST: The King of Haiti: Slavery and the French Colonies – Timothy T. Schwartz, Independently Published
Teens – Fiction (Ages 12–15)
Fiction for teen readers tackling friendship, identity, mystery, and coming-of-age themes with depth and authenticity.
GOLD: Losing Austin – Michael J. Bowler, Independently Published
SILVER: The Secrets We Carry – Clay Cormany, Van Velzer Press
BRONZE: Weun Academy: The Shadow Maker – Michael Zummo, Zummo Books LLC
BRONZE: A Child Called Faye – Jess Senff, Wattle Tree Press
FINALIST: The Prisoner of Venice – Rich Meyrick, Speaking Volumes
FINALIST: Walk On – Nan Evenson, Atmosphere Press
Young Adults – Fiction (Ages 16+)
Young adult fiction spanning historical adventure, mystery, fantasy, and more — stories that resonate well beyond their age category.
GOLD: Rite of Passage – Jeanne Blanchet, Outskirts Press Inc.
SILVER: Losing Austin – Michael J. Bowler, Independently Published
SILVER: A Stellar Purpose III – Natacha Belair, Ocean Storm Publishing
BRONZE: The Secrets We Carry – Clay Cormany, Van Velzer Press
BRONZE: Weun Academy: The Shadow Maker – Michael Zummo, Zummo Books LLC
FINALIST: Ordell’s Constellation – J.C. Cole, Independently Published
FINALIST: Along the Trail – Kaci Curtis, The Wild Rose Press
FINALIST: What I Remember & What I Forgot – Laura K. Soerensen, Books On Demand
Young Adults – Non-Fiction (Ages 16+)
GOLD: AmeriCANS Who Made America: 19th Century – Richard V. Battle, Headline Books
SILVER: 180° – Big Picture, Small Details – Tudor Matei, Independently Published
About the Reader Views Literary Awards
The Reader Views Literary Awards are an annual program recognizing excellence in independent and small press publishing across fiction, non-fiction, children’s, and poetry categories. Every entered book receives a professional editorial review, and winners are selected by our team of experienced reviewers.
Awards are presented annually. To enter your book in the next cycle, visit our Literary Awards page.
All books link to their full Reader Views editorial review. Click any title to read the complete review.