The winners of the 2021 Indie Book Awards have been announced. It’s an award that highlights books from independent publishers, university presses, self-published titles, and e-books that are written in English. There are numerous categories in the awards with several focused specifically on books for youth. Here are the winners and the finalists in those categories, many of which are only available via Amazon.

CHILDREN’S EDUCATIONAL PICTURE BOOK (6 Years & Up)

WINNERS

The Boy Who Flies – A Story of Today’s Totonac People by JoAnne DeKeuster

Something Wonderful by Matt Ritter, illustrated by Nayl Gonzalez

FINALISTS

The Big Bad Coronavirus and How We Can Beat It! by Lisa Carroll, illustrated by G. F. Newland

Breathe, Ollie! by Krista Betcher, illustrated by Kevin Cannon

Footsteps in Bay de Verde by Charis Cotter, illustrated by Jenny Dwyer

Light Is Color! The Comic (and Coloring and Activity) Guide to Visible and Invisible Things by Nicole and Kevin Kurtz

Mei Ling in China City: Divided by War, United by a Lifeline of Letters by Icy Smith, illustrated by Gayle Garner Roski

CHILDREN’S ILLUSTRATIVE PICTURE BOOK (6 Years & Up)

WINNER

I Know a Woman: A Song for Mothers by Sharon Gudereit, illustrated by Miranda Pringle

FINALISTS

The Best ME That I Can Be – RESPECT, by Rose Angebrandt, Illustrated by Henrique Rampazzo

The Forgotten Garden, by Basma Elkhatib, Illustrated by Omar Lafi, Translated by Ghenwa Yehia

Gratitude the Great, by Pamelyn Rocco, Illustrated by Taylor Barron

The Hyrax in the Mogogos, by Douglas Cochran, Illustrated by S. Alex Percival

Our Folktales: The All-time Favourite Folktales from Asia, by Ruth Wan-Lau

The Tip of the Tale, by Suzanne Alexander, Illustrated by Ashley Teets

CHILDREN’S PICTURE BOOK #OWNVOICES

WINNER

I Am a Triathlete, by Nia Obotette, Illustrated by Adriel Meka

FINALISTS

Adventures of a Pangopup, by Terri Tatchell, Illustrated by Ivan Sulima

Just Because…: A Story Book About Self-Acceptance, by C.M. Harris, Illustrated by Ashlynn Feather

Salma the Syrian Chef, by Danny Ramadan, Illustrated by Anna Bron

Sassy Sisters vs The Sock Monster, by Jacquese Groves, Illustrated by Karine Makartichan

Who’s Jerry?, by T. M. Jackson, Illustrated by Darwin Marfil 

CHILDREN’S PICTURE BOOK (0-5 Years)

WINNER

My Monsterpiece, by Amalia Hoffman

FINALISTS

52 – A Tale of Loneliness, by Johnny DePalma, Illustrated by Kyle Brown

The Big Adventures Of A Little Tree: Tree Finds Friendship, by Nadja Springer, Illustrated by Tilia Rand-Bell

A Common Thirst, by Gary Boelhower, Illustrated by Sarah Brokke

Llama Lu, by Julia Da Rocha, Illustrated by M. Judith Da Rocha

The Slumbering Pearl, by Tyler Oliver, Illustrated by Gita Treice 

CHILDREN’S PICTURE BOOK (Non-Fiction – All Ages)

WINNER

Something Wonderful, by Matt Ritter, Illustrated by Nayl Gonzalez

FINALISTS

MOMENT, by Robert Abad

Ni Hao, China!, by Sohan Chunduru, Illustrated by Katarina Stevanovic

Nutaui’s Cap, by Bob Bartel, Illustrated by Mary Ann Penashue, Translated by Sebastian Piwas, Stella Rich, and Mani Katinen Nuna

Under the Stars – Astrophysics For Everyone, by Lisa Harvey-Smith, Illustrated by Mel Matthews

The Wall & the Wind, Written and Illustrated by Veselina Tomova

CHILDREN’S/JUVENILE (Fiction)

WINNER – ALSO THE GRAND PRIZE WINNER OVERALL

Sapphire the Great and the Meaning of Life, by Beverley Brenna, Illustrated by Tara Anderson

FINALISTS

The Mystery of the Portuguese Waltzes, by Richard Simas, Illustrated by Caroline Clarke

The Rabbit Princess: Journeys, by R. Chen, Illustrated by Ed Chen, R. Chen

Should I Say Hi? A Story of Courage That Reads Forward and Backward, by Rose Collins, Illustrated by Nathaly Bonilla

Why the moon travels, by Oein DeBhairduin, Illustrated by Leanne McDonagh

Yara’s Spring, by Jamal Saeed & Sharon E. McKay

CHILDREN’S/JUVENILE (Non-Fiction)

WINNER

Presidents Play!, by Jonathan Pliska, Illustrated by John Hutton

FINALISTS

God Says; My Book of Emotions, by Doreen Homawoo, Illustrated by Jayden Munnelly, Jessica Homawoo

Let’s Learn about Chemistry, by Stephanie Ryan, Illustrated by Christine Cagara 

A White House Alphabet, by Arioth Harrison Smirne with Rocco Smirne, Illustrated by John Hutton 

Young Kap, by Kingsley Osei, Illustrated by Elaine Davis

A Young Person’s Field Guide to Finding Lost Shipwrecks, by Laurie Zaleski

YOUNG ADULT (Fiction – 12 Years to 16 Years)

WINNER

The Manticore’s Vow: And Other Stories, by Cassandra Rose Clarke

FINALISTS

Costly Freedom, by Terry Webb

The Dumpster Club, by David L. Craddock, Illustrated by Kristoffer Furacão

Even Goats Need Closure, by Jane Donovan and Holly Trechter 

Half on Tuesdays, by Amy E. Whitman

The Rabbit Princess: Journeys, by R. Chen, Illustrated by Ed Chen, R. Chen