Small Steps has received the following awards: 1997 ALA Notable Book for Children, 1997 Top 10 Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, 1996 Golden Kite Award for Nonfiction, 1998 Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award (Vermont), 1998-99 Mark Twain Award (Missouri). It has been on Master Reading Lists in Tennessee, Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Iowa, Washington, Pennsylvania, and New Hampshire.