1. Grammy Awards for Best Country Song, "A Boy Named Sue":1969.

2. Grammy Awards for Best Children's Recording was for Where the Sidewalk Ends in 1984.

3. ALA Notable Book for Where the Sidewalk Ends in 1974.

4. Outstanding Book Award for Where the Sidewalk Ends in 1974.

5. Best Book Award in 1981 for A Light in the Attic.

6.Children's Choice Award for The Missing Piece Meets the Big O in 1982.

7.William Allen Book Award for A Light in the Attic in 1984.

He was nominated for an Oscar and a Golden Globe for his song "I'm Checkin' Out" in the film Postcards from the Edge. He was invited to be in the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002.

(NOTE: these are not all of Shels awards.)

Awards/Recognition