On Saturday, November 1, the finalist rankings were announced at the 2025 Will Rogers Medallion Awards ceremony, which recognizes “excellence in Western literature and media,” according to the organization’s website.
A Phantom Storm: Sitting Bull, America, and the Ghost Dance by Norman E. Matteoni won the silver medallion in the Western Nonfiction category.
Georgia Jipp: Blizzard Pilot, written by Laura Beth Dean and illustrated by Jeanne Bowman, won the gold medallion in the Western Nonfiction / Young Readers / Illustrated Book category. This marks the fourth award for Georgia Jipp. Previous awards include the 2025 WILLA Literary Award for Best Children’s Picture Book; the 2025 Spur Award for Best Western Children’s Picture Book; and the Bronze Medal for Best Illustrator in the 2024 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards.
Congratulations to Norman Matteoni, Laura Beth Dean, and Jeanne Bowman on this incredible recognition!