Empire State Award

Holding his Empire State Award with Linda Sue Park, Newbery Award winner.

Rafe was the 2008 recipient of the Empire State Award, given by the Youth Services Section of the New York Library Association since 1998. The Empire State Award is a one-time award presented to a living author or illustrator, currently living in New York State. The award honors a body of work that represents excellence in Children’s or Young Adult Literature and has made a significant contribution to literature for young people. Among the past recipients are: Joseph Bruchac, Ed Young, Jerry Pinckney, Madeleine L’Engle, and Maurice Sendak.




Lucile Micheels Pannell Award, Women’s National Book Association,1983
Lucile Micheels Pannell Awards were established to recognize and publicly applaud the work of booksellers who stimulate, promote and encourage children’s and young people’s interest in books. The jury chooses winners based on creativity, responsiveness to community needs, passion, and understanding of children’s books and young readers.

American Bookseller, Pick of the List Book
Foolish Rabbit’s Big Mistake, 1985
The Rough-Face Girl, 1993

American Library Association Notable Book Award
Foolish Rabbit’s Big Mistake, 1985
Will’s Mammoth, 1989
Mysterious Tales of Japan, 1996

American Folklore Society, Aesop Accolade Award
Mysterious Tales of Japan, 1996

Anne Izard, Storyteller’s Choice Award
Mysterious Tales of Japan, 1996
The Hungry Tigress, 1999

Association of Booksellers for Children, Bookseller’ Choice Award
The Rough-Face Girl, 1993

Bank Street College, Best Children’s Book of the Year
The Brave Little Parrot, 1998

Book Sense Winter Pick
Birdwing, 2005

Booklist Magazine, Editor’s Choice, Best Books for Children
The Boy Who Lived with the Seals, 1993

CBC and NCSS Notable Children’s’ Book in Social Studies
The Boy Who Lived with the Seals, 1993

CBC Children’s Book of the Year
The Rough-Face Girl, 1993

Canadian Children’s Book Centre, Our Choice Award
Dear As Salt, 1993

Chicago Public Library, Best of the Best
Birdwing, 2005

Child Study Association Book of the Year
Will’s Mammoth, 1989

Christie Award
The Twelve Months, 2001

Georgia Children’s Picture Storybook Award
The Rough-Face Girl, 1995

Golden Sower Award
The Rough-Face Girl, 1994

Hornbook, Fanfare Book
Will’s Mammoth, 1989
Foolish Rabbit’s Big Mistake, 1985

Indiana Young Hoosier Book Award, Nominee
The Language of Birds, 2003

IRA Teacher’s Choice Award
The Rough-Face Girl, 1993

Junior Library Guild Selection
The Language of Birds, 2000
The Storytelling Princess, 2004

Literary Guild Alternate Selection
The Boy Who Lived with the Seals, 1993

Los Angeles Best Books Program
The Shark God, 2001

National Association of Parenting Publications Honors Award
The Shark God, 2001

Newsweek, Best Children’s Books
The Boy Who Lived with the Seals, 1993

NY Public Library 100 Best Books
The World Before This One, 2004

NY Public Library: List of Books for the Teen Age
Birdwing, 2006

Parents’ Guide to Children’s Media Award
The Language of Birds, 2000

Parents’ Choice Gold Award
The Boy Who Loved Mammoths, 1996
Rafe Martin Tells His Children’s Books CD
Ghostly Tales of Japan CD, 1989

School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
Will’s Mammoth, 1989

Storytelling World Award
One Hand Clapping: Zen Stories for All Ages, 1996
The Twelve Months, 2001
The World Before This One, 2004
The Storytelling Princess, honor title, 2004

Texas Bluebonnet Award, Nominee
The Rough-Face Girl, 1994

Utah Children’s Picture Book Award, nominee
The Rough-Face Girl, 1995

Virginia State Reading Association Young Readers Award
The Rough-Face Girl, 1995
The Shark God, nominee, 2004

Washington Post, Best Kids Book
Birdwing, 2005

Wisconsin Golden Archer Award
The Shark God, 2001