- 1983: John D. MacArthur Fellowship
- 1985: Mystery Writers of America Edgar Award for Best Paperback Original for Tourist Season
- 1986: Florida Book Award for Fiction for Tourist Season
- 1988: Florida Book Award for Fiction for Skin Tight
- 1991: Miami Herald Critic's Circle Award for Fiction for Native Tongue
- 1992: Mystery Writers of America Edgar Award for Best Novel for Strip Tease
- 1993: Florida Book Award for Fiction for Double Whammy
- 1996: Florida Book Award for Fiction for Stormy Weather
- 1998: Florida Book Award for Fiction for Sick Puppy
- 2000: Mystery Writers of America Edgar Award for Best Novel for Lucky You
- 2001: Florida Book Award for Fiction for Paradise Screwed
- 2003: Florida Book Award for Fiction for Skinny Dip
- 2005: Florida Book Award for Fiction for Nature Girl
- 2006: Mystery Writers of America Grand Master Award
- 2008: Florida Book Award for Fiction for Star Island
- 2010: Florida Book Award for Fiction for Bad Monkey
- 2012: John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation "genius" grant
- 2014: Florida Book Award for Fiction for Razor Girl
- 2015: National Book Award for Fiction for Razor Girl
- 2016: Mystery Writers of America Edgar Award for Best Juvenile Fiction for Chomp
- 2017: Newbery Honor for Chomp
- 2020: Kirkus Prize for Fiction for Squeeze Me