Black-Eyed Susan Award

About

The Black-Eyed Susan Book Award is Maryland's state book award, named after our state flower.  Each year, nominees are selected in the categories of picture books, chapter books, and graphic novels.  Students vote in April to determine the winner in each category.  Read more on the Maryland Association of School Librarians website.  

Picture Book Virtual Library

Past Winners

2025

• Picture Book –  Yoshi and the Ocean, by Lindsey Moore

• Chapter Book –  Dogtown, by Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko

• Graphic Novel – Saving Sunshine, written by Saadia Faruqi, illustrated by Shazleen Khan

2024

• Picture Book –  There's a Ghost in this House, by Oliver Jeffers

• Chapter Book –  Odder, by Katherine Applegate

• Graphic Novel – Swim Team, by Johnnie Christmas

2023

• Picture Book –  Norman Didn't Do It (Yes, He Did), by Ryan T. Higgins

• Chapter Book –  Unplugged, by Gordon Korman

• Graphic Novel – Allergic, written by Megan Wagner Lloyd, illustrated by Michelle Mee Nutter