| 2025 | Will's Race for Home: A Western | Chicago Public Library Best of the Best source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Best Fiction for Older Readers | |
| 2025 | Will's Race for Home | Kirkus Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Middle Grade | |
| 2024 | Soul Step | New York Public Library Best Books source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Best Books for Kids | |
| 2023 | Treasure Island: Runaway Gold | Booklist Editors' Choice source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Books for Youth: Fiction, Middle Readers | |
| 2023 | Treasure Island | Kirkus Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Middle Grade | |
| 2020 | Black Brother, Black Brother | Chicago Public Library Best of the Best source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Best Fiction for Older Readers | |
| 2018 | Ghost Boys | Goodreads Choice Awards source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Nominee · Middle Grade & Children's | |
| 2018 | Ghost Boys | Chicago Public Library Best of the Best source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Best Fiction for Older Readers | |
| 2013 | Sugar | Kirkus Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Middle Grade | |
| 2011 | Ninth Ward | Coretta Scott King Book Awards source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Honor · Author | |
| 2010 | Ninth Ward | Chicago Public Library Best of the Best source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Best Fiction for Older Readers | |
| 2010 | Ninth Ward | School Library Journal Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Fiction | |