The 2023 CLCSC List
The 2023 CLCSC List, selected by the Awards Committee, includes some of the best books created by Southern California authors and illustrators published in 2022. The Committee considers all books written and/or illustrated by Southern California authors and illustrators, published in the year preceding the award year.
Listed alphabetically by title, bold formatting indicates which creator(s) resided in Southern California at the time of publication. Southern California is defined as San Luis Obispo, Kern, and San Bernardino counties and points south, including Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego counties. Some creators may have relocated out of Southern California since their book was published. Winners will be indicated with an asterisk (*) after the creator or creators’ name(s) when the winners are announced.
The 2023 CLCSC Award Winners will be announced on August 7th.
The 2023 CLCSC List
Picture Books
Anzu the Great Kaiju by Benson Shum*
The Blur by Minh Lê and Dan Santat
I'm a Unicorn by Helen Yoon
IntersectionAllies: We Make Room for All by Chelsea Johnson, LaToya Council, Carolyn Choi, illustrated by Ashley Seil Smith
Little Wonder by Claire Keane
Luna Oscura by Heidi Moreno
Patchwork by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Corinna Luyken
Rafa Counts on Papá by Joe Cepeda*
A Seed Grows by Antoinette Portis
A Spark in the Dark by Pam Fong
Middle Grade
Abby In Orbit: Blast Off! by Andrea J. Loney
The Aquanaut by Dan Santat
Solimar by Pamela Muñoz Ryan
The Supernatural Society by Rex Ogle
VIP: Stacey Abrams: Voting Visionary by Andrea J. Loney, illustrated by Shellene Rodney
Young Adult
Abuela, Don't Forget Me by Rex Ogle*
The Chandler Legacies by Abdi Nazemian
I Rise by Marie Arnold*
Ophelia After All by Racquel Marie
The Q by Amy Tintera
The CLCSC Awards Committee convenes in January each year. Submissions of books published in the prior year may be sent directly to the Awards Chair for awards consideration. Please include an official submission form with each entry.
