What does a young boy with a facial disfigurement have in common with the true story of a young girl who was gunned down in Tucson, Arizona? Both youngsters are featured in award-winning books that deliver character-building messages. Character Building Counts (CBC) Book Awards is proud to announce the winners of its 2012 Character Building Counts Book Awards contest.
Gold Seal Winners:
Wonder, R.J. Palacio (Grand Prize Overall Winner) (Young Adult)
This novel about a boy with a facial deformity has been called “a meditation on kindness.” Indeed, every reader will come away with great appreciation for the simple courage of friendship.
As Good as She Imagined, Roxanna Green (Spirituality)
Christina-Taylor Green was beautiful, precocious, and beloved. Born on September 11, 2001, she harbored aspirations of becoming a politician. She died at the event where Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was also shot.
They Stood Alone, Sandra McLeod Humphrey (Juvenile Nonfiction)
Refusing to conform to societal beliefs and expectations, these twenty-five men and women stepped out and away from the crowd and changed their worlds … and ours.
Muted Grey, Dianna L. Young (Literary Fiction)
The author utilizes fiction to elicit enlightenment on an issue that spans generations and has claimed countless lives around the globe. This book was created in order to save lives and change hearts.
Ghost Hands, T.A. Barron (Children’s)
A powerful story of courage and transformation that illuminates the strength of each individual and the difference one person can make.
Pretty Dolls, Kimberly Dana (Children’s)
Gracie, a purple-eyed, one-armed, spikey-haired doll teaches the “pretty dolls” in Tasha’s bedroom that beauty comes from within—through kindness and generosity.
Of Thee I Sing, Barack Obama (Children’s)
In this tender, beautiful letter to his daughters, President Barack Obama has written a moving tribute to thirteen groundbreaking Americans and the ideals that have shaped our nation.
Silver Seal Winners:
One Day I Went Rambling, Kelly Bennett (Children’s)
This book teaches us to open our minds to the possibilities of finding the extraordinary in the everyday, to use our imaginations, and encourage others to come rambling.
Crazy Brave, Joy Harjo (Memoir)
In this transcendent memoir, the author’s tale of a hardscrabble youth—and her transformation into an award-winning poet and musician—is haunting, unique, and visionary.
I Get It! I Get It!, Loraine Alderman, Psy.D., and Yvonne Capitelli (Children’s)
This book fills a void as it reaches out to children with auditory learning disabilities and the people who care about them. The story helps affected children understand what they are experiencing and realize that they are not alone.
Noah Zarc, D. Robert Pease (Juvenile Fiction)
A boy from the future must overcome his disability as he tries to rescue his parents and save Earth’s animals from extinction.
Outcasts United, A Refugee Soccer Team that Changed a Town, Warren St. John (Juvenile Fiction)
This young people’s version of the adult bestseller is a complex and inspirational story about the Fugees, a youth soccer team made up of refugees from around the world, and their formidable female coach. The author explores how the community changed with the influx of refugees and how a single individual made a difference in the lives of so many.
Liar & Spy, Rebecca Stead (Juvenile Fiction)
This book is an inspired, often-funny story about destiny, goofy brilliance, and courage. Like Stead’s Newberry Medal-winning When You Reach Me, it will keep readers guessing until the end.
And the Whippoorwill Sang, Micki Peluso (Family)
A funny, poignant, and sad family memoir of love, loss, and survival. Happy times, a sunny day, driving drunk, eight lives forever changed.
Bronze Seal Winners:
Daria Rose and the Day She Chose, Yvonne Capitelli (Children’s)
Life is all about choices. It is up to you to make the right ones. We all have the power within to create happy days and a happy life.
How to Write Heartfelt Letters to Treasure, Lynette M. Smith (Nonfiction, Self-Help)
This book was written to help millions of people worldwide write letters of appreciation; to establish, improve, or rebuild their relationships; and change their worlds.
Destiny, Charles Reap (Children’s)
Perseverance through adversity can bring triumph, as told through Charles Reap’s story of trees in a forest.
Congratulations to our Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners. Character Building Counts Book Awards has been honored to host this 2012 contest. Every participant deserves praise for writing and sharing their significant messages.