Awards

The Pennsylvania Center for the Book celebrates outstanding books, authors, and literary achievement through four signature awards: The Baker’s Dozen: Thirteen Best Books for Family Literacy, The Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award, The Lynd Ward Graphic Novel Prize, and Pennsylvania Great Reads from Great Places. Together, these programs recognize excellence in family literacy, children’s poetry, graphic novels, and books that reflect Pennsylvania’s rich literary heritage. By honoring exceptional literary works and connecting readers with engaging and meaningful stories, the Pennsylvania Center for the Book promotes lifelong reading, literacy, and a love of literature across the Commonwealth and beyond.

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Endsickness

By Sofia Alarcon
Published by Conundrum Press, 2025
Adult Readers
Endsickness Cover

Pennsylvania Center for the Book Awards

Lynd Ward Graphic Novel Prize 2026 Honor Book

The judges shared, “Endsickness” is a real gem of a debut from Sofia Alarcon. Each of the vignettes in this eight-story collection of speculative fiction explores their own facet of the same existential issue: climate change and eco-anxiety. Her visuals range from full-color to black and white, and the stories zig and zag from weird/satirical to poetic/contemplative (and never didactic). The simple illustrations evoke a level of absurdity that both softens the message and underscores the importance of mitigating man-made climate change. The narrative intersperses looming tragedy with humor and sadness in a way that keeps the reader fully engaged until the end.”