Awards and Recognitions for Reaching Out
- 2009 American Library Association Pura Belpré Honor Book Award
- 2009 Smithsonian Magazine Notable Book
- 2009 ALSC Notable Book
- 2009 Américas Book Award Commended List
- 2009 The Carter C. Woodson Book Award (National Council for Social Studies)
- 2009 Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People
- Selected for the 2009 Napa Country Read, One Book, One Community