Kelly Murphy's work has been featured in international curated shows, gallery exhibitions and magazines, and has been distinguished in the field's most prestigious juried competitions, notably winning recognition from American Illustration, The Society of Illustrators and 3x3 Magazine. In 2009 Kelly earned an E.B. White Read Aloud Award for illustrating the New York Times Best Seller Masterpiece and in 2011 she was awarded a Silver Award in the 3x3 Magazine Children's Show for her editorial illustration work. In 2012, Kelly received a Gold Award and a Bronze Award from the Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles. In 2013, she received an additional 2 Gold Awards in the Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles's Book and Children's market categories, and was a 3x3 Magazine Spotlight Illustrator. In 2014, she was selected as one of the world's 200 Best Illustrators by Lürzer's Archive. In 2017, her chapter book A Properly Unhaunted Place, written by William Alexander, was distinguished as one of the Best Books of the Year by Kirkus Reviews. In 2019, her chapter book All The Greys On Greene Street, written by Laura Tucker, was selected as one of The New York Times "25 Best Children's Books of The Year."



MEDALS
2013 - Gold Award, The Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles (Book Category), Behind The Bookcase
2013 - Gold Award, The Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles (Children's Market Category), Secrets At Sea - interior
2012 - Gold Award, The Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles (Book Category), "The Lodge", from Haunted Houses (Are You Scared Yet?)
2012 - Bronze Award, The Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles (Children's Market Category), The Princess and the Golden Fish
2011 - Silver Award (Editorial Category), - 3x3 Magazine Annual No.8, - 3x3 Children's Show, The Princess and the Golden Fish

STARRED REVIEWS
2023 - Starred Review, Publishers Weekly, Ginny Off The Map
2023 - Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews, Ginny Off The Map
2021 - Starred Review, Publishers Weekly, Happily For Now
2021 - Starred Review, Publishers Weekly, Faraway Things
2021 - Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews, Faraway Things
2021 - Starred Review, School Library Journal, Faraway Things
2020 - Starred Review, School Library Journal, Together We Grow
2020 - Starred Review, Publishers Weekly, Together We Grow
2020 - Starred Review, Booklist, Together We Grow
2020 - Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews, Together We Grow
2019 - Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews, All The Greys On Greene Street
2019 - Starred Review, Publishers Weekly, All The Greys On Greene Street
2019 - Starred Review, BookPage, All The Greys On Greene Street
2019 - Starred Review, Booklist, All The Greys On Greene Street
2017 - Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews, A Properly Unhaunted Place
2016 - Starred Review, Publishers Weekly, A Celebration of Beatrix Potter
2015 - Starred Review, School Library Journal, The Door By The Staircase
2015 - Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews, The Door By The Staircase
2013 - Starred Review, School Library Journal, The Mouse With The Question Mark Tail
2013 - Starred Review, Publishers Weekly, The Mouse With The Question Mark Tail
2013 - Starred Review, Booklist, The Mouse With The Question Mark Tail
2011 - Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews, Secrets At Sea
2011 - Starred Review, The Horn Book, Secrets At Sea
2011 - Starred Review, Publishers Weekly, Secrets At Sea
2010 - Starred Review, School Library Journal, Brand-New Baby Blues
2008 - Starred Review, Publishers Weekly, Masterpiece
2008 - Starred Review, School Library Journal, Masterpiece

BEST OF LISTS
2023-24 - Indiana Young Hoosier Book Award Nominee, Dakota Crumb: Tiny Treasure Hunter
2023 - Best Books of 2023, Reading Middle-Grade, Kirkus Reviews, Ginny Off The Map
2022 - Washington State Book Award Finalist, Happily For Now
2022 - Bank Street College of Education's Best Children Books of the Year (Adventure and Mystery), Faraway Things
2021 - Editors' Pick, Amazon, Dakota Crumb: Tiny Treasure Hunter
2020 - Editors' Pick, Amazon, Together We Grow
2020 - Edgar Awards Nominee (Best Juvenile), All The Greys On Greene Street
2020 - Bank Street College of Education's Best Children Books of the Year (Adventure and Mystery), All The Greys On Greene Street
2019 - The Wall Street Journal The Best Childrenfs Books of 2019, All The Greys On Greene Street
2019 - The New York Times 25 Best Children's Books of 2019, All The Greys On Greene Street
2019 - Best Books of 2019, Middle-Grade Historical Fiction, Kirkus Reviews, All The Greys On Greene Street
2019 - Publishers Weekly Best Books of 2019 (Middle Grade), All The Greys On Greene Street
2019 - BookPage Best Books of 2019: Middle Grade, All The Greys On Greene Street
2019 - Booklist Top 10 Arts Books for Youth: 2019, All The Greys On Greene Street
2018 - Bank Street College of Education's Best Children Books of the Year, A Properly Unhaunted Place
2017 - Best Books of 2017, Middle-Grade Mystery & Suspense, Kirkus Reviews, A Properly Unhaunted Place
2017 - Bank Street College of Education's Best Children Books of the Year, The Door By The Staircase
2016 - The Canadian Children Book Centre, John Spray Mystery Award Finalist, The Case of the Missing Moonstone
2016 - American Library Association, ALSC Notable Children's Book, The Door By The Staircase
2016 - BC Bookprizes, Sheila A. Egoff Children's Literature Prize Finalist, The Wollstone Craft Detective Agency, The Case of the Missing Moonstone
2016 - Bluestem Award Master List, Illinois School Library Media Association, Masterpiece
2015 - Bank Street College of Education's Best Books of the Year (Fantasy), The Miniature World of Marvin and James
2014-15 - "200 Best Illustrators," Luerzer's Archive, The Princess and the Golden Fish
2014-15 - "200 Best Illustrators," Luerzer's Archive, Behind The Bookcase
2014-15 - Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List, Face Bug
2014 - Bank Street College of Education's Best Books of the Year (Poetry), Face Bug
2014 - National Council of Teachers of English Notable Poetry List, Face Bug
2013-14 - Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List, Flying the Dragon
2013 - Bank Street College of Education's Best Books of the Year (Humor Category), Alex And The Amazing Time Machine
2012 - Bank Street College of Education's Best Books of the Year (Fantasy Category), Secrets At Sea
2012 - Bank Street College of Education's Best Books of the Year, Creepy Monsters, Sleepy Monsters
2011 - Notable Children's Books of 2011, The New York Times, Secrets At Sea
2011 - "Ten Best Books for Children in 2011," People Magazine, Secrets At Sea
2011 - Best Books for Children: Graphic Novels & Illustrated Chapter Books, Kirkus Reviews, Secrets At Sea
2011 - Best Books for Children: Fiction, Kirkus Reviews, Secrets At Sea
2011 - Best Books for Children: Fantasy & Science Fiction, Kirkus Reviews, Secrets At Sea
2011 - Best Books for Children: Books to Make You Laugh, Kirkus Reviews, Secrets At Sea
2011 - Best Books for Children: Novels with Great Girl Characters, Kirkus Reviews, Secrets At Sea
2011 - Best Books for Children: Books for Animal Lovers, Kirkus Reviews, Secrets At Sea
2011 - Best Books for Children: Exploring the Past, Kirkus Reviews, Secrets At Sea
2011 - Best Books for Children: Adrenaline Rushes, Kirkus Reviews, Secrets At Sea
2011 - Top 26 Books at BookExpo America (BEA), Kirkus Reviews, Secrets At Sea
2010-11 - Florida Sunshine State Young Readers Award (SSYRA) Master List, Masterpiece
2009 - American Library Association Notable Children's Books, Masterpiece
2009 - CCBC Choice (Univ. of WI), Masterpiece
2009 - Capitol Choices Noteworthy Titles for Children and Teens, Masterpiece
2009 - CPL: Chicago Public Library Best of the Best, Masterpiece
2009 - Florida Sunshine State Young Readers Award Master List, Masterpiece
2009 - Illinois Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Choice Award Master List, Masterpiece
2009 - Iowa Children's Choice Award Master List, Masterpiece
2009 - Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Award Master List, Masterpiece
2009 - Nebraska Golden Sower Award Master List, Masterpiece
2008 - Bank Street College of Education's Best Books of the Year, Fiona's Luck

SOCIETY OF ILLUSTRATORS
2021 - Original Art, Society of Illustrators, Faraway Things
2020 - Original Art, Society of Illustrators, Together We Grow
2014 - Society of Illustrators 57th Annual Competition (Book Category), Ship of Dolls
2014 - Original Art, Society of Illustrators, The Miniature World of Marvin and James
2014 - Original Art, Society of Illustrators, Romping Monsters, Stomping Monsters
2014 - The Illustrators 56 Travel Show, The Mouse With The Question Mark Tail
2013 - Society of Illustrators 56th Annual Competition (Book Category), The Mouse With The Question Mark Tail
2013 - Original Art, Society of Illustrators, The Mouse With The Question Mark Tail
2012 - Society of Illustrators 55th Annual Competition (Book Category), Behind The Bookcase
2012 - The Original Art Traveling Exhibition, Society of Illustrators, Secrets At Sea
2012 - Original Art, Society of Illustrators, Secrets At Sea
2011 - Original Art, Society of Illustrators, Over At The Castle
2010 - Society of Illustrators 53rd Annual Competition (Book Category), "The Lodge", from Haunted Houses (Are You Scared Yet?)
2008 - Original Art, Society of Illustrators, Hush, Little Dragon
1999 - The Society of Illustrators Annual Student Scholarship Competition, Society of Illustrators, Student Work

3x3 MAGAZINE
2018 - 3x3 Magazine Annual No.15 - 3x3 Picture Book Show, The Wollstone Craft Detective Agency, The Case of the Perilous Palace
2018 - 3x3 Magazine Annual No.15 - 3x3 Picture Book Show, Partridge in the Pear Tree
2016 - 3x3 Magazine Annual No.13 - 3x3 Picture Book Show, The Door By The Staircase (Series)
2015 - 3x3 Magazine Annual No.12 - 3x3 Picture Book Show, The Wollstone Craft Detective Agency (Distinguished Merit)
2015 - 3x3 Magazine Annual No.12 - 3x3 Picture Book Show, Ship of Dolls (Merit)
2015 - 3x3 Magazine Annual No.12 - 3x3 Picture Book Show, The Wollstone Craft Detective Agency (Honorable Mention)
2014 - 3x3 Magazine Annual No.11 - 3x3 Picture Book Show, Dark Side of the Moon
2014 - 3x3 Magazine Annual No.11 - 3x3 Picture Book Show (Honorable Mention), Mysteries of Ravenstorm Island
2014 - 3x3 Magazine Annual No.11 - 3x3 Picture Book Show (Honorable Mention), The Mouse With The Question Mark Tail
2013 - 3x3 Magazine Annual No.10 - 3x3 Picture Book Show, Romping Monsters, Stomping Monsters
2012 - 3x3 Magazine Annual No.9 - 3x3 Children's Show, Behind The Bookcase
2011 - 3x3 Magazine Annual No.8 - 3x3 Children's Show, Creepy Monsters, Sleepy Monsters
2010 - 3x3 Magazine Annual No.7 - 3x3 Children's Show, Over At The Castle
2010 - 3x3 Magazine Annual No.7 - 3x3 Children's Show, Rap, Rap, Rap: The Drive

AMERICAN ILLUSTRATION
2013 - American Illustration 32 - Chosen, Behind The Bookcase
2010 - American Illustration 29 - Chosen, "The Lodge", from Haunted Houses (Are You Scared Yet?)

SILA
2013 - The Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles (Book Category), Secrets At Sea - interior
2013 - The Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles (Children's Market Category), Secrets At Sea - cover
2012 - The Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles (Children's Market Category), The Unicorn's Tale

JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILDS
2023 - (Summer) "A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection", Ginny Off The Map
2022 - (Fall) "A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection", Dakota Crumb: Tiny Treasure Hunter
2021 - (Summer) "A Junior Library Guild Selection", Dakota Crumb: Tiny Treasure Hunter
2021 - (Spring) "A Junior Library Guild Selection", Happily for Now
2020 - (Winter) "A Junior Library Guild Selection", A Trip to the Country for Marvin and James
2019 - (Fall) "A Junior Library Guild Selection", All The Greys On Greene Street
2017 - (Fall) "A Junior Library Guild Selection", A Properly Unhaunted Place
2017 - (Spring) "A Junior Library Guild Selection", Trouble at School for Marvin and James
2016 - (Spring) "A Junior Library Guild Selection", The Door By The Staircase
2016 - (Spring) "A Junior Library Guild Selection", The Slowest Book Ever
2015 - (Fall) "A Junior Library Guild Selection", James to the Rescue
2014 - (Spring) "A Junior Library Guild Selection", The Miniature World of Marvin and James
2013 - (Fall) "A Junior Library Guild Selection", Anton and Cecil: Cats at Sea
2011 - (Spring) "A Junior Library Guild Selection", The Unicorn's Tale: Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist, Book 4
2011 - (Winter) "A Junior Library Guild Selection", The Wyverns' Treasure: Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist, Book 3
2010 - (Spring) "A Junior Library Guild Selection", The Basilisk's Lair: Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist, Book 2
2009 - (Fall) "A Junior Library Guild Selection", The Flight of the Phoenix: Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist, Book 1
2008 - (Fall) "A Junior Library Guild Selection", Masterpiece

AWARDS
2017 - Charlotte Award Nominee, New York State Reading Association, The Slowest Book Ever
2013 - Eureka Gold Award, California Reading Association, Face Bug
2010-11 - Children's Crown Award, National Christian School Association, Masterpiece
2009 - E.B. White Read Aloud Award, Masterpiece
2009 - Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year, Masterpiece
2009 - Kansas State Reading Circle, Masterpiece
2009 - Vermont Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award, Masterpiece
2008 - Storytelling Award, Fiona's Luck
2008 - Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year, Children's Fiction, Masterpiece
2008 - Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Book, Fiona's Luck
2008 - The Cybils (Children & Young Adult Blogger's Literary) Awards, Fiction Picture Books nomination, Hush, Little Dragon
2007 - Bookamania "Terrific Tales", Fiona's Luck
2007 - Alternative Pick Deck #2
2005 - "Growing Good Kids--Excellence in Children's Literature" Book Award, The American Horticultural Society, A Place To Grow