“The Gold” for First Place in the 2020 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards, Board Book category, for I Love You…Bigger Than the Sky (Worthy Kids/ Hachette Book Group).
“The Gold” for First Place in the 2019 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards, Religion/Spirituality category, for Dinosaur Devotions: 75 Dino Discoveries, Bible Truths, Fun Facts, and More! (Tommy Nelson).
“The Gold” for First Place in the 2019 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards, Best Nonfiction Book Series category, for the “What Is?” board book series that includes What is Easter?, What is Halloween?, What is Thanksgiving?, What is Christmas?, and What is America? (Worthy Kids).
“The Bronze” for Third Place in the 2019 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards, Holiday category, for C is for Christmas (Little Lamb Books).
First Place in the 2020 Royal Dragonfly Awards in the Picture Book Under 5 category for I Love You…Bigger Than the Sky (Worthy Kids).
First Place in the 2020 Royal Dragonfly Awards in the Cookbook category for The Perfect Persimmon (Red Lightning Books).
Second Place in the 2019 Royal Dragonfly Awards in the Religion/Spirituality category for Platinum Faith (Abingdon Press), co-authored with Bethany Jett.
First Place in the 2021 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards in the Board Book category for I Love You…Bigger Than the Sky (Worthy Kids).
First Place (tied) in the 2021 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards in the Educational/Instructional category for Dinosaur Devotions (Thomas Nelson).
First Place (tied) in the 2021 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards in the Spiritual/Religious category for Cuddle-Up Prayers (Worthy Kids).
Michelle and co-author Bethany Jett received the Gold CAN Crown Award for Outstanding Visual Media for their book, They Call Me Mom (Kregel).
Michelle and co-author Bethany Jett earned the Silver CAN Crown Award in 2019 and 2020 for Outstanding Broadcast Media for promotion of their book, Platinum Faith (Abingdon Press).
“Best Children’s Author” in the 2020 Red Letter Awards for I Will Not Be Afraid (Concordia Publishing).
Nominee for “Best Children’s Author” in the 2019 Red Letter Awards for I Will Not Be Afraid (Concordia Publishing).
First Place Maxwell Medal for Best Children’s Book of 2017 for I Love You the Mostest (Elk Lake).
Second Place in the 2017 Maxwell Awards in the Children’s Book category for My First Day of School (WorthyKids/Ideals).
2021 Christian Book Award Finalist, Devotion and Gift category, for They Call Me Mom (Kregel).
Finalist in the 2020 Cascade Book Awards, Best Children’s Book category, for What is America? (Worthy Kids).
Finalist in the 2020 Cascade Book Awards, Best Nonfiction Book category, for Platinum Faith (Abingdon Press).
Tied for First Place in the 2020 Golden Scroll Awards, Nonfiction Children’s Book of the Year category, for How Much Does God Love You? (Worthy Kids/ Hachette Book Group).
Second Place in the 2020 Golden Scroll Awards, Best Inspirational Gift category, for Encouraging Words for Mothers: Morning & Evening Daily Devotions for a Mother’s Soul (Barbour Books).
Second Place in the 2020 Golden Scroll Awards, Fiction Children’s Book of the Year category, for I Love You…Bigger Than the Sky (Worthy Kids/ Hachette Book Group).
Second Place in the 2020 Golden Scroll Awards, Nonfiction Children’s Book of the Year category, for Cuddle-Up Prayers (Worthy Kids/ Hachette Book Group).
First Place in the 2019 Golden Scroll Awards, Children’s Book category, for Dinosaur Devotions: 75 Dino Discoveries, Bible Truths, Fun Facts, and More! (Tommy Nelson).
Second Place in the 2019 Golden Scroll Awards, Children’s Book category, for C is for Christmas (Little Lamb Books).
First Place in the 2018 Golden Scroll Awards, Children’s Book category, for My First Day of School (Worthy Kids).
First Place in the 2020 Christian Market Book Awards by AWSA, Best Children’s Book category, for I Love You…Bigger Than the Sky (WorthyKids/ Hachette Book Group).
Third Place in the 2020 Christian Market Book Awards by AWSA, Nonfiction Book Category, for They Call Me Mom, co-written with Bethany Jett (Kregel).
Third Place in the 2020 Christian Market Book Awards by AWSA, Best Children’s Book category, for How Much Does God Love You? (Worthy Kids/ Hachette Book Group).
SELAH Award Finalist in the Children’s Literature category of 2021 for Cuddle-Up Prayers (Worthy Kids).
Third Place in the Director’s Choice Award in the Children’s Book category of 2021 for Cuddle-Up Prayers (Worthy Kids).
First Place Director’s Choice Award Finalist in the Children’s Book category of 2021 for I Love You Bigger Than the Sky (Worthy Kids).
SELAH Award Finalist for Best Devotion of 2020 for They Call Me Mom (Kregel).
SELAH Award Finalist for Best Children’s Picture Book of 2020 for What is America? (Worthy Kids/ Hachette Book Group).
SELAH Award Finalist for Best Children’s Picture Book of 2020 for How Much Does God Love You? (Worthy Kids/ Hachette Book Group).
SELAH Award Finalist in Gifts and Inspiration category of 2020 for Encouraging Words for Mothers: Morning & Evening Daily Devotions for a Mother’s Soul (Barbour Books).
SELAH Award for Best Anthology writing in 2019 for Words to Cheer Your Heart: A Devotional (Ellie Claire).
SELAH Finalist for Best Children’s Book of 2019 for Dinosaur Devotions: 75 Dino Discoveries, Bible Truths, Fun Facts, and More! (Tommy Nelson).
SELAH Finalist (Second Place) for Best Children’s Book of 2019 for C is For Christmas (Little Lamb Books).
SELAH Finalist (Third Place) for Best Devotional Book of 2019 for Fabulous & Focused (Worthy Inspired).
SELAH Finalist (Third Place) for Best YA Fiction/Nonfiction of 2019 for Get Your Spirit On!: Devotions for Cheerleaders (SonRise Devotions/LPC).
SELAH Award for Best Children’s Book of 2018 for My First Day of School (Worthy Kids)
Director’s Choice Finalist for Best Children’s Picture Book of 2018 for I Will Not Be Afraid! (Concordia Publishing).
SELAH Finalist for Best Children’s Book of 2018 for I Love You the Mostest (Elk Lake).
SELAH Award for Best Children’s Book of 2017 for Happy Birthday to You! (Worthy Kids)
SELAH Finalist for Best Children’s Book of 2016 for Trunk Or Treat (Worthy Kids).
SELAH Finalist for Best Children’s Book of 2016 for What Is Thanksgiving? (Worthy Kids).
“Book of the Year” over all SELAH book award winners in 2014 for God Knows You (Candy Cane Press).
SELAH Award for Best Children’s Book of 2014 for God Knows You (Candy Cane Press).
SELAH Award for Best Children’s Book of 2012 for My Big Book of Prayers (Ideals Children’s Books).
“The Gold” for First Place in the 2021 Illumination Book Awards, Picture Book Category, for I Love You Bigger Than the Sky (Worthy Kids).
“The Bronze” for Third Place in the 2021 Illumination Book Awards, Holiday category, for What is Halloween? (Worthy Kids).
“The Gold” for First Place in the 2020 Illumination Book Awards, Enduring Light Picture Book category, for The Sparrow’s Easter Song (Worthy Kids).
“The Gold” for First Place in the 2020 Illumination Book Awards, Devotional category, for They Call Me Mom (Kregel).
“The Gold” for First Place in the 2019 Illumination Book Awards, Holiday category, for C is for Christmas (Little Lamb Books).
“The Silver” for Second Place in the 2019 Illumination Book Awards, Education (Home School, Bible School) category, for Dinosaur Devotions: 75 Dino Discoveries, Bible Truths, Fun Facts, and More! (Tommy Nelson) .
“The Bronze” for Third Place in the 2019 Illumination Book Awards, Children’s Picture Book category, for I Love You the Mostest (Elk Lake).
“The Bronze” for Third Place in the 2019 Illumination Book Awards, Devotional category, for Fabulous & Focused: 365 Daily Devotions for Working Women (Worthy Inspired).
“The Gold” Enduring Light medal in the 2018 Illumination Book Awards, Best Children’s Book category, for I Will Not Be Afraid! (Concordia Publishing Hose).
“The Gold” in the 2017 Illumination Book Awards, Best Devotional category, for Love & Care for the One and Only You (Worthy Inspired) .
“The Gold” in the 2016 Illumination Book Awards, Best Devotional category, for When Chocolate Isn’t Enough: An Inspirational Survival Guide for Moms (Worthy Inspired).
First Place in the 2020 Angel Awards for How Much Does God Love You? (WorthyKids/ Hachette Book Group).
First Place Best Book Award of 2020 in the Regional Cookbook category for The Perfect Persimmon (Red Lightning Books).
Finalist in the 2020 Best Book Awards in the Religion: Christian Inspirational category for Platinum Faith, co-written with Bethany Jett (Abingdon Press).
Finalist in the 2020 Best Book Awards in the Children’s Picture Book: Hardcover Non-Fiction category for C is for Christmas (Little Lamb Books).
Finalist for a 2016 Christian Retailing Best Award, Devotional category, for Love & Care For the One and Only You (Worthy Inspired).
“The Gold” in the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards for Best Cover Design in Children’s/Young Adult category for C Is for Christmas (Little Lamb Books).
Finalist for a 2019 Indie Book Award, Children’s Picture Book Non-Fiction (All Ages) category, for C Is for Christmas (Little Lamb Books).
Inducted into the Bedford (Indiana) North Lawrence High School’s “Hall of Fame/Wall of Fame” for career writing achievements in a special ceremony, September 2003.
Recognized by the American Red Cross for First Place in the nation in the category of communication for local use of national advertising materials in 1992.
Named Barnes & Noble Writer of the Month May 2003 for the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex for Conversations On the Ark and for giving back to the community through writing and speaking.
AWSA Advanced Writers and Speakers Association member.
SCBWI Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators member.
Recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists with a First Place in Best Sports Reporting in 1995.
Recognized by the American Association of Sunday & Feature Editors with a Third Place in the Best Short Feature category for newspapers with less than 100,000 circulation in 1995.
Recognized by the Hoosier State Press Association with a First Place in the Best Feature Series category for 1995.
Recognized by the Associated Press with a First Place for Best Feature Article in the State of Indiana for 1994.
Recognized by the Hoosier State Press Association with a Third Place in the Best Feature category in 1993.
Recognized by the Hoosier State Press Association for her contribution to the Best News Series of 1993.
Recognized by the Hoosier State Press Association with a Second Place for her contribution in the category of Best News Series in 1992.
Recognized by the Associated Press with a First Place for Best Feature Article in the State of Indiana for 1994.
Recognized by the Associated Press with a Third Place in the Best Feature category in 1993.
Other Recognitions
- Named “Writer of the Year” 2002 by the Write-to-Publish Conference for Living the Love Chapter (Lions Head Press).
- Second Place in the Serious Writer 2018 Tarheel Awards, Best Children’s Book category, for “You Are My Dream Come True.”
- Winner of the Award of Excellence for Nonfiction Books from CLASS Christian Writers Conference Book Contest in October 2014 for Encouraging Words for Mothers (Barbour).
- Michelle has won First Place honors from the Colorado Christian Writers Conference for her poetry and essays, as well as numerous awards for her writing from the Glorieta Christian Writers Conference.
- Selected as a Family Christian Bookstores Premiere Pick author in 2006 for Divine Stories of the Yahweh Sisterhood (Legacy International).
- Selected as a Family Christian Bookstores Member’s Only Selection author in 2004 for Daily Wisdom for Working Women (Barbour).
- Selected as one of the Top 12 Finalists for the ABC Children’s Picture Book Contest in Houston, Texas, for “Mama’s Belly” in 2009.
