| 2024 | We're Alone | National Book Critics Circle Awards source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Finalist · Nonfiction | |
| 2024 | We're Alone: Essays | NPR Books We Love source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Books We Love | |
| 2024 | We're Alone: Essays | Chicago Public Library Best of the Best source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Must-Read Books: Nonfiction | |
| 2024 | We're Alone: Essays | Publishers Weekly Best Books source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Nonfiction | |
| 2020 | Everything Inside | The Story Prize source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Winner · Short Story Collection | |
| 2020 | Everything Inside | Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Longlist · Fiction | |
| 2020 | Everything Inside | Reese's Book Club source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Book Club Selection | |
| 2019 | Everything Inside | National Book Critics Circle Awards source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Winner · Fiction | |
| 2019 | Everything Inside: Stories | Chicago Public Library Best of the Best source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Best Books | |
| 2019 | Everything Inside: Stories | Esquire Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Best Books | |
| 2019 | Everything Inside: Stories | NPR Books We Love source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Books We Love | |
| 2017 | The Art of Death: Writing the Final Story | National Book Critics Circle Awards source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Finalist · Criticism | |
| 2015 | Mama's Nightingale: A Story of Immigration and Separation | New York Public Library Best Books source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Best Books for Kids | |
| 2015 | Untwine | New York Public Library Best Books source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Best Books for Teens | |
| 2015 | Mama's Nightingale: A Story of Immigration and Separation | Chicago Public Library Best of the Best source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Best Picture Books | |
| 2015 | Mama's Nightingale | Kirkus Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Picture Books | |
| 2014 | Claire of the Sea Light | Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Finalist · Fiction | |
| 2013 | Claire Of The Sea Light | NPR Books We Love source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Books We Love | |
| 2013 | Claire of the Sea Light | The Boston Globe Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Fiction | |
| 2013 | Claire of the Sea Light | Publishers Weekly Best Books source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Fiction | |
| 2013 | Claire of the Sea Light | Paste Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Fiction | |
| 2013 | Claire of the Sea Light | New York Times 100 Notable Books source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Fiction & Poetry | |
| 2013 | Claire of the Sea Light | Washington Post Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Notable Fiction | |
| 2013 | Claire of the Sea Light | Library Journal Best Books source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Top Ten | |
| 2008 | Brother, I'm Dying | Dayton Literary Peace Prize source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Winner · Nonfiction | |
| 2007 | Brother, I'm Dying | National Book Critics Circle Awards source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Winner · Autobiography | |
| 2007 | Brother, I’m Dying | National Book Awards source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Finalist · Nonfiction | |
| 2007 | Brother, I’m Dying | Vulture / New York Magazine Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Best Books | |
| 2007 | Brother, I'm Dying | The Boston Globe Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Nonfiction | |
| 2007 | Brother, I'm Dying | Los Angeles Times Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Nonfiction | |
| 2007 | Brother, I'm Dying | Publishers Weekly Best Books source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Nonfiction | |
| 2007 | Brother, I’m Dying | New York Times 100 Notable Books source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Nonfiction | |
| 2007 | Brother, I'm Dying | Washington Post Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Notable Nonfiction | |
| 2007 | Brother, I'm Dying | Amazon Editors' Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Top 100 | |