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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Tender

By Beth Hetland
Published by Fantagraphics, 2024
Adult Readers
Image of book cover for Tender by Beth Hetland

Pennsylvania Center for the Book Awards

Lynd Ward Graphic Novel Prize 2025 Winner

In “Tender,” “Hetland explores societal expectations of women via visceral body horror, transforming the seemingly mundane story of desire for family and acceptance into a provocative social commentary on social norms, perfectionism, and self-harm,” the judges said. “The simple art style and occasional grotesque details engage the reader and make them squirm... The elements of body horror echo the themes of how the images of a perfect life in one's dreams or social media feeds are often a facade, hiding deeper horrors within us.”