Mikaelson's work has won many state youth literature awards, including the California Young Reader Medal and Wyoming's Indian Paintbrush Book Award.
- 1991: Golden Spur, Juvenile Fiction, Rescue Josh McGuire[8]
- 1992: International Reading Association Children's Book Award, Older Reader Category, Rescue Josh McGuire[9]
- 1999: ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults, Petey[10]
- 1999: Golden Spur, Juvenile Fiction, Petey[8]
- 2002: ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults, Touching Spirit Bear[10]