2023 North Carolina Children's Book Award Nominees

The North Carolina Children's Book Award program is a children's choice program designed to introduce children to current children's literature and to instill a love of reading. The award is sponsored by the North Carolina Library Association's Youth Services Section and supported by school and public librarians across the state.

NCCBA website

Updated December 7, 2022
D
Davidson County Public Library
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Amari and the night brothers.
Alston, B. B.
New York Times bestseller! Artemis Fowl meets Men in Black in this exhilarating debut middle grade fantasy, the first in a series filled with #blackgirlmagic. Perfect for fans of Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky, the Percy Jackson series, and Nevermoor. Amari Peters has...
Willodeen.
Applegate, Katherine
From #1 New York Times bestseller Katherine Applegate, a singular middle-grade novel about a girl who risks everything to help a handmade creature who comes to life. The earth is old and we are not, and that is all you must remember . . .
Rez dogs /
Bruchac, Joseph, 1942-
Renowned author Joseph Bruchac tells a powerful story of a girl who learns more about her Penacook heritage while sheltering in place with her grandparents during the coronavirus pandemic. Malian loves spending time with her grandparents at their home on a Wabanaki reservation...
Nigel and the moon.
Eady, Antwan
From debut author Antwan Eady and artist Gracey Zhang comes a glowing tale about the young dreaming big. A perfect story to demonstrate how pride in where we come from can bring a shining confidence. When Nigel looks up at the moon, his future is bright. He imagines himself...
It fell from the sky.
Fan, Terry.
From the creators of the critically acclaimed The Night Gardener and Ocean Meets Sky comes a whimsical and elegantly illustrated picture book about community, art, the importance of giving back--and the wonder that fell from the sky. It fell from the sky on a...
A place at the table.
Faruqi, Saadia.
A timely, accessible, and beautifully written story exploring themes of food, friendship, family and what it means to belong, featuring sixth graders Sara, a Pakistani American, and Elizabeth, a white, Jewish girl taking a South Asian cooking class taught by Sara's mom. Sixth graders Sara...
How to build an insect /
Gibson, Roberta, 1959-
See what the buzz is about in this fresh, fun look at insect anatomy. Let's build an insect! In the pages of this book, you'll find a workshop filled with everything you need, including a head, a thorax, an abdomen, and much more. Written by entomologist Roberta Gibson...
Unplugged.
Korman, Gordon
King of middle-grade Gordon Korman's new standalone novel full of mystery, humour, friendship . . . and alligators! Jett Baranov is Silicon Valley's number one spoiled brat. The son of a billionaire tech genius, he has everything money can buy, which means he's in the habit of getting into...
Mars! : Earthlings welcome /
McAnulty, Stacy
From writer Stacy McAnulty and illustrator Stevie Lewis, Mars! Earthlings Welcome is a light-hearted nonfiction picture book about the red planet--told from the perspective of Mars himself... Meet Mars! The red planet. Planet Marvelous. Favorite sibling of Earth (or so...
The world ends in April.
McAnulty, Stacy
Is middle school drama scarier than an asteroid heading for Earth? Find out in this smart and funny novel by the author of The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl. Every day in middle school can feel like the end of the world. Eleanor Dross knows a thing or two...
A wolf called Wander.
Parry, Rosanne.
A New York Times bestseller! "Don't miss this dazzling tour de force."--Katherine Applegate, Newbery Medal winning author of The One and Only Ivan This gripping novel about survival and family is based on the real story of one wolf's incredible journey to find a safe place to...
The box turtle.
Roeder, Vanessa.
An irresistibly cute story about finding the confidence to be yourself, starring a turtle in search of the perfect shell. Terrance the turtle was born without a shell, so he uses a cardboard box instead. Terrance loves his box. It keeps him dry on soggy days, safe from snooping...
Clean getaway.
Stone, Nic
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Nic Stone comes a timely middle-grade road-trip story through landmarks of the Civil Rights movement and the map they lay for contemporary race relations. How to Go on an Unplanned Road Trip with Your Grandma: Grab a...
Except Antarctica!
Sturgell, Todd
"Delightful and hilarious."--Kirkus Reviews, STARRED Review Turtles are found on every continent EXCEPT Antarctica. But not for long! Follow along as a rogue group of determined animals embark on an adventure (and defy their flustered narrator in the process) in this funny animal picture...
Skunk and Badger.
Timberlake, Amy
The first title in a warm and witty illustrated chapter-book series from Newbery Honor-winner Amy Timberlake and superstar illustrator Jon Klassen, about a pair of unlikely animal friends Analytical and set in his ways, Badger is taken aback when jolly, easygoing Skunk rings the doorbell...
Katie the catsitter. [graphic novel]
Venable, Colleen A. F.
NOMINATED FOR MULTIPLE STATE AWARDS! Calling all Raina Telgemeier fans! Introducing an irresistible new middle-grade graphic novel series about growing up, friendship, heroes, and cats (lots of cats!)--perfect for fans of Guts, Awkward and Real Friends (not to...
Watercress.
Wang, Andrea
Caldecott Medal Winner Newbery Honor Book APALA Award Winner A story about the power of sharing memories-including the painful ones-and the way our heritage stays with and shapes us, even when we don't see it. New England Book Award Winner A...
How to give your cat a bath in five easy steps.
Winstanley, Nicola
Step one: fill the bath. Step two: put the cat in the bath. Step three: put shampoo on the cat. Step four: rinse the cat. Step five: dry the cat. Seems simple, right? One problem: the cat has no intention of doing any of these things. Watch as the steps keep changing, the cat keeps escaping, the...

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