Book Awards & Distinctions
for Lesa Cline-Ransome
86 Total Book Awards
Before She Was Harriet (13)

CCBC Choices
Selection, 2018

Center for the Study of Multicultural Children's Literature Best Books, 2013-2024
Selection, 2017

Charlotte Zolotow Award, 1998-2025
Commended, 2018

Coretta Scott King Book Awards, 1970-2025
Illustrator Honor, 2018

Jane Addams Children's Book Awards, 1953-2025
Books for Younger Children Honor, 2018

Junior Library Guild Selections, 2012-2025
Nonfiction Selection, 2018

Lasting Connections, 2000 - 2020
Selection, 2017

Notable Children’s Books in the Language Arts Award, 1997-2025
Selection, 2018

Notable Poetry and Verse Novels, 2011-2025
Selection, 2018

Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, 2015-2025
Women's History Selection, 2018

SLJ Best Books of the Year, 2010 - 2024
Selection, 2017

Teacher Favorites Award, 2015-2024
Selection, 2018
Finding Langston (11)

ALSC Notable Children's Books, 1995-2025
Commended, 2019

CCBC Choices
Selection, 2019

Coretta Scott King Book Awards, 1970-2025
Author Honor, 2019

Horn Book Fanfare, 2001-2024
Selection, 2018

Junior Library Guild Selections, 2012-2025
Middle Selection, 2018

Notable Books for a Global Society, 1996-2025
Selection, 2019

Notable Children’s Books in the Language Arts Award, 1997-2025
Selection, 2019

Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, 2015-2025
History, Life, Culture in the Americas Selection, 2019

SLJ Best Books of the Year, 2010 - 2024
Selection, 2018

Scott O'Dell Award, 1984-2025
Winner, 2019

Teacher Favorites Award, 2015-2024
Selection, 2019
My Story, My Dance: Robert Battle's Journey to Alvin Ailey (6)

ALSC Notable Children's Books, 1995-2025
Commended, 2016

CCBC Choices
Selection, 2016

Junior Library Guild Selections, 2012-2025
Arts Selection, 2016

Notable Books for a Global Society, 1996-2025
Selection, 2016

Orbis Pictus Award, 2000-2025
Commended, 2016
One Big Open Sky (6)

ALSC Notable Children's Books, 1995-2025
Commended, 2025

Center for the Study of Multicultural Children's Literature Best Books, 2013-2024
Selection, 2024

Coretta Scott King Book Awards, 1970-2025
Author Honor, 2025

John Newbery Medal, 1922-2025
Honor, 2025

Junior Library Guild Selections, 2012-2025
Middle Selection, 2024
Game Changers: The Story of Venus and Serena Williams (5)

ALSC Notable Children's Books, 1995-2025
Commended, 2019

CCBC Choices
Selection, 2019

Junior Library Guild Selections, 2012-2025
Sports Selection, 2018

Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, 2015-2025
Biography Selection, 2019

Orbis Pictus Award, 2000-2025
Commended, 2019
Overground Railroad (5)

ALSC Notable Children's Books, 1995-2025
Commended, 2021

CCBC Choices
Selection, 2021

Junior Library Guild Selections, 2012-2025
Emergent Selection, 2020

Notable Children’s Books in the Language Arts Award, 1997-2025
Selection, 2021

SLJ Best Books of the Year, 2010 - 2024
Selection, 2020
Fighting with Love: The Legacy of John Lewis (4)

ALSC Notable Children's Books, 1995-2025
Commended, 2025

Center for the Study of Multicultural Children's Literature Best Books, 2013-2024
Selection, 2024

Golden Kite Awards, 1974-2025
Nonfiction Text for Young Readers Finalist, 2025

Libby Book Awards, 2024-2025
Picture Book Finalist, 2025
For Lamb (4)

Best Fiction for Young Adults, 2011-2025
Top 10 Selection, 2024

Center for the Study of Multicultural Children's Literature Best Books, 2013-2024
Selection, 2023

Horn Book Fanfare, 2001-2024
Selection, 2023

Junior Library Guild Selections, 2012-2025
History Selection, 2023
The Power of Her Pen: The Story of Groundbreaking Journalist Ethel L. Payne (4)

Notable Books for a Global Society, 1996-2025
Selection, 2021

Notable Children’s Books in the Language Arts Award, 1997-2025
Selection, 2021

Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, 2015-2025
Biography Selection, 2021
They Call Me Teach (4)

Center for the Study of Multicultural Children's Literature Best Books, 2013-2024
Selection, 2024

Jane Addams Children's Book Awards, 1953-2025
Picture Book Winner, 2025
Being Clem (3)

CCBC Choices
Selection, 2022

Center for the Study of Multicultural Children's Literature Best Books, 2013-2024
Selection, 2021

Junior Library Guild Selections, 2012-2025
Middle Selection, 2021
Leaving Lymon (3)

CCBC Choices
Selection, 2021

Center for the Study of Multicultural Children's Literature Best Books, 2013-2024
Selection, 2020

Junior Library Guild Selections, 2012-2025
Middle Selection, 2020
Light in the Darkness (3)

CCBC Choices
Selection, 2014

Junior Library Guild Selections, 2012-2025
Elementary Selection, 2013
Whale Trails: Before and Now (3)

CCBC Choices
Selection, 2016

Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, 2015-2025
Environment, Energy, Ecology Selection, 2016
Benny Goodman & Teddy Wilson: Taking the Stage as the First Black-And-White Jazz Band in History (2)

CCBC Choices
Selection, 2015
Counting the Stars: The Story of Katherine Johnson, NASA Mathematician (2)
Loud and Proud: The Life of Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm (2)

Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, 2015-2025
Biography Selection, 2024

SLJ Best Books of the Year, 2010 - 2024
Selection, 2023
Satchel Paige (2)

ALSC Notable Children's Books, 1995-2025
Commended, 2001

CCBC Choices
Selection, 2001
Claudette Colvin (1)
Freedom's School (1)

CCBC Choices
Selection, 2016
Of Walden Pond: Henry David Thoreau, Frederic Tudor, and the Pond Between (1)

CCBC Choices
Selection, 2023