Winners
Disabled Communities
2026 FINALISTS - DISABLED COMMUNITIES
See below for the list of 2026 finalists in the DISABLED COMMUNITIES category, for books with a copyright date of 2025.
The Ice Moves for No One
2026 Finalist
Author: Arlo Z. Graves
Publisher: Quills and Cosmos Press
ISBN: 9781965790069
Selkie warrior Aalgur Thalon was born to fight in honor of the Dread One. She’s going to win the Dusk Trials, join the elite Duskingr Air Fleet, and kiss her old life as a deckhand goodbye. But when her body betrays her, Thalon is forced to give up the biggest part of her identity.
Shine On: Raising Our Kids with Disabilities to Lead Bright, Happy Lives
2026 Finalist
Author: Cynthia Schulz
Publisher: Page Two
ISBN: 9781774585085
Shine On is the book author Cynthia Schulz wishes she had when a child with disabilities rocked her world 40 years ago. It’s full of stories of families touched by all kinds of disabilities raising their children to lead bright lives, turning difficulties into triumphs. It reads like a love letter.
Step Into Your Miracle: Transforming Trauma into Triumph
2026 Finalist
Author: Shannon Michelle
Publisher: Liberté Press
ISBN: 9798990938816
After surviving a catastrophic motorcycle accident, a two-month coma, a near-death experience, a traumatic brain injury, and a breast cancer diagnosis, Shannon rebuilt herself from the ground up relearning to read, walk, and live. Step Into Your Miracle is her powerful, practical guide to finding strength, staying present, and transforming trauma into triumph.
2025 WINNERS - DISABLED COMMUNITIES
See below for the list of 2025 winners in the DISABLED COMMUNITIES category, for books with a copyright date of 2024.
My Body Beeps! Growing Up with Diabetes
2025 Gold Winner
Author: Katherine Lockwood
Illustrator: Olga Sall
Publisher: Acorn Cottage Press
ISBN: 9781964836126
My Body Beeps is a joyful and empowering picture book that opens the door for children to talk about balancing their medical needs with fun, everyday life. Written by award-winning author and disability advocate Katherine Lockwood, this book helps young readers explore the sounds and sensations of their medical devices—like insulin pumps and glucose monitors—while learning how to manage their health with confidence and ease.
In This Altered Body: A Survivor's Story of Resilience and Love
2025 Silver Winner
Author: Charlene Pell
Publisher: Facing Forward Books
ISBN: 9798990034006
After a devastating plane crash that burned 64 percent of her body and caused her fiancé’s death, Charlene's memoir, In This Altered Body reveals her harrowing odyssey of survival, challenging societal beauty standards and learning to find hope and love after a profound life-changing event.
Seen
2025 Silver Winner
Author: C.M. Harris
Illustrator: Ratu Megawangi
Publisher: Purple Diamond Press Inc.
ISBN: 9781639189861
Seen is a tender story about a girl named Ariana who wants what every child deserves—to be understood without having to explain herself. This moving book gently opens young hearts to empathy and reminds us all that being different doesn’t mean being invisible. Every child deserves to feel seen.
About the
Independent Book Publishers Association
Founded to support independent publishers nationwide, the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) leads and serves the independent publishing community through advocacy, education, and tools for success. With over 3,200 members, IBPA is the largest independent publishing association in the U.S. Its vision is a world where every independent publisher has the access, knowledge, and tools needed to professionally engage in all aspects of an inclusive publishing industry.
For more information, visit www.ibpa-online.org.
