- 1988 Golden Kite Honor Book for _Stotan!_
- 1990 YALSA Best Book for Young Adults for _The Crazy Horse Electric Game_
- 1991 Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Young Adult Mystery for _Chinese Handcuffs_
- 1991 Judy Lopez Memorial Award Honor Book for _Chinese Handcuffs_
- 1993 ALA Best Book for Young Adults for _Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes_
- 1994 Golden Kite Honor Book for _Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes_
- 1994 Judy Lopez Memorial Award Honor Book for _Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes_
- 1996 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers for _Athletic Shorts: Six Short Stories_
- 1997 ALA Best Book for Young Adults for _Whale Talk_
- 2001 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers for _Maniac Magee_
- 2001 New York State Reading Association Charlotte Award for _Maniac Magee_
- 2003 Printz Honor Book for _The Sledding Hill_
- 2004 Michael L. Printz Award for _Whale Talk_
- 2006 Texas Tayshas High School Reading List for _Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes_
- 2008 Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults: Top Ten (Booklist) for _Deadline_
- 2009 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers for _Deadline_
- 2011 Texas Tayshas High School Reading List for _Deadline_