Sharon Draper has won many awards in teaching and writing. She won Coretta Scott King Genesis award for Literature (1995), and American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults award (1995) in her writing career. She also won Ohio State Teacher of the Year (1997), U.S. National Teacher of the Year (1997), National Board Certification, National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (1995), Board of Directors, National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (1997), National Council of Negro Women's Excellence in Teaching Award (1997), and the Delta Kapa Gamma Honor Society for Women Educators.