- Selected by Indie Booksellers for the Winter 2008 Kid's List[4]
- Selected in the Booklist Editor's Choice:Books for Youth in 2008[5]
- National Book Award finalist in 2008[6]
- Winner of the IRA Teacher's Choices booklist in 2009[7]
- Winner of the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction in 2009[6]
- Winner of the Top 10 Black History Books for Youth in 2009[8]
- Winner of the Notable Children's Book Award by the Association of Library Service to Children in 2009[9]
[10]