| 2025 | Pocket Bear | Chicago Public Library Best of the Best source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Best Fiction for Younger Readers | |
| 2025 | Pocket Bear | Kirkus Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Middle Grade | |
| 2025 | Pocket Bear | Publishers Weekly Best Books source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Middle Grade | |
| 2025 | Pocket Bear | School Library Journal Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Middle Grade | |
| 2020 | The One and Only Bob | Goodreads Choice Awards source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Nominee · Middle Grade & Children's | |
| 2018 | The Last | Chicago Public Library Best of the Best source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Best Fiction for Older Readers | |
| 2017 | Wishtree | Goodreads Choice Awards source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Nominee · Middle Grade & Children's | |
| 2017 | Wishtree | Chicago Public Library Best of the Best source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Best Fiction for Older Readers | |
| 2017 | Wishtree | NPR Books We Love source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Books We Love | |
| 2017 | Wishtree | Booklist Editors' Choice source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Books for Youth: Fiction, Middle Readers | |
| 2017 | Wishtree | Publishers Weekly Best Books source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Middle Grade | |
| 2015 | Crenshaw | Goodreads Choice Awards source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Nominee · Middle Grade & Children's | |
| 2015 | Crenshaw | New York Public Library Best Books source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Best Books for Kids | |
| 2015 | Crenshaw | BookPage Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Middle Grade | |
| 2014 | Ivan: The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla | Chicago Public Library Best of the Best source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Best Informational Books for Younger Readers | |
| 2013 | The One and Only Ivan | John Newbery Medal source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Winner · Children's Literature | |
| 2012 | The One and Only Ivan | Goodreads Choice Awards source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Nominee · Middle Grade & Children's | |
| 2012 | The One and Only Ivan | Chicago Public Library Best of the Best source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Best Fiction for Older Readers | |
| 2012 | The One and Only Ivan | Kirkus Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Children's | |
| 2012 | The One and Only Ivan | School Library Journal Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Fiction | |
| 2012 | The One and Only Ivan | BookPage Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Middle Grade | |
| 2007 | Home of the Brave | School Library Journal Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Best Books | |