About the Awards
The Illumination Awards are intended to celebrate and recognize the exemplary books produced by the ever-growing Christian branch of publishing and bookselling. A vast array of new titles is released from this thriving sector each year, bringing inspiration and answers to millions of readers exploring their faith.
A portion of the Illumination Awards entry fees will be donated to a worthy charitable organization to be chosen each year. This year, Jenkins Group has chosen Habitat for Humanity, “a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization building simple, decent, affordable housing in partnership with people in need.”
Yes, books can change the world – especially books about faith, love and spiritual joy. The list of Illumination Award-winning books will both inspire readers and further the sales and marketing efforts of authors and publishers for years to come.
VISIT THE ILLUMINATION WEBSITE HERE
Advertisments
Feature
2017 Illumination Book Awards Medalists
Shining a Light on Exemplary Christian Books
Jenkins Group is proud to announce the winners of the Fourth Annual Illumination Book Awards. The awards are designed to honor and bring increased recognition to the year’s best new titles written and published with a Christian worldview.
This year's 81 Illumination Award medals went to books from 26 US states, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. The diversity of Christian publishing was also demonstrated by the fact that winners came not only from long-established publishers, but also from small presses and self-published authors.
Below are the Illumination Book Awards results, listed by category, followed by the Enduring Light medals, which reward exemplary Christian-themed books published since the year 2000. Gold, silver, and bronze medals are awarded in each category.
Congratulations to all the winners!
2017 Illumination Medalists
1. BIBLE STUDY
GOLD: The Cities That Built the Bible, by Robert R. Cargill (HarperOne)
SILVER (tie): Through Her Eyes: Bible Studies on Women in Scripture, by Deborah Spink Winters (Judson Press)
Remember Her For This: A Study on the Women in the Gospels, by Deborah Kaine Thompson (Self Published)
BRONZE: The Path: A Journey Through the Bible, edited by Melody Wilson Shobe (Forward Movement)
2. CHRISTIAN LIVING
GOLD (tie): Called to Community: The Life Jesus Wants for His People, Edited by Charles Moore (Plough Publishing House)
Outlaw Christian: Finding Authentic Faith by Breaking the Rules, by Jacqueline A. Bussie (Nelson Books)
SILVER: Good Christian Sex: Why Chastity Isn’t the Only Option- and Other Things the Bible Says About Sex, by Bromleigh McCleneghan (HarperOne)
BRONZE: Act Justly, Love Tenderly, by John Neafsey (Orbis Books)
3. DEVOTIONAL
GOLD (tie): The God Who Heals: Words of Hope for a Time of Sickness, by Johann Christoph Blumhardt & Christoph Friedrich Blumhardt (Plough Publishing House)
Love & Care For the One and Only You, by Michelle Medlock Adams (Worthy Inspired)
SILVER: Where Jesus Prayed: Illuminating the Lord’s Prayer in the Holy Land, by Danielle Shroyer (Paraclete Press)
BRONZE: Spark Story Bible Devotions for Kids, by Jill C. Lafferty (Sparkhouse Family)
4. THEOLOGY
GOLD: Original Blessing: Putting Sin in its Rightful Place, by Danielle Shroyer (Fortress Press)
SILVER: A Harvey Cox Reader, by Harvey Cox; edited by Robert Ellsberg (Orbis Books)
BRONZE: Undeniable: How Biology Confirms Our Intuition That Life is Designed, by Douglas Axe (HarperOne)
5. MINISTRY / MISSION
GOLD: Assimilate or Go Home: Notes from a Failed Missionary on Rediscovering Faith, by D.L. Mayfield (HarperOne)
SILVER: From Classism to Community: A Challenge for the Church, by Jini M. Kilgore Cockroft (Judson Press)
BRONZE: Holy Heroes: The Gospel According to DC & Marvel, by Scott Bayles (Judson Press)
6. CATHOLIC
GOLD: I Believe, by Pope Francis (Orbis Books)
SILVER: Of Poets, Prophets, and Preachers, by Joseph J. Juknialis (World Library Publications)
BRONZE: Dodging Satan: My Irish/Italian Sometimes Awesome But Mostly Creepy Childhood, by Kathleen Zamboni McCormick (Sand Hill Review Press)
7. FAMILY / PARENTING
GOLD: Still A Mother: Journeys Through Perinatal Bereavement, edited by Joy M. Freeman & Tabatha D. Johnson (Judson Press)
SILVER: Malnourished: Equipping Parents to Battle Spiritual Poverty on the Home Front, by Jaime Hampton (Self-Published)
BRONZE: Cups Everlasting, by Krista Potvin (Tate Publishing & Enterprises)
8. EDUCATION
GOLD: Psalm Hymns: Dramatic, Contemplative, Singable, Recitable Psalms! (Volume One), by L.L. Larkins (Capture Books)
SILVER: Mom and Dad Please Teach Me, by Joe Wesley (Archway Publishing)
BRONZE: True, False, None of the Above, by Marjorie Maddox (Cascade Books)
9. SPIRITUALITY
GOLD: Talking Back to the Bible: A Historian’s Approach to Bible Study, by Edward G. Simmons (Dorrance Publishing)
SILVER: Redeemed for a Reason, by Amy Garner (Westbow Press)
BRONZE: Awake! Sleeping Giant: A Call to Arise to the Truth of Victorious Living, by Rosalie Gregory (Olive Orchard Press)
10. ILLNESS / DEATH / DYING
GOLD: Navigating Alzheimer’s, by Mary K. Doyle (ACTA Publications)
SILVER: Death Takes Time, by E Eugene Baillie, MD (Gene Baillie Publishing)
BRONZE: Grief Guts and Grace, by Joan T. Broussard (Tate Publishing)
11. SELF-HELP / RECOVERY
GOLD: Grace Calls: Spiritual Recovery After Abandonment, Addiction or Abuse, by Robin Weidner with David Weidner (Purity Restored)
SILVER (tie): Child, Arise!, by Jane N. Dowling (David Lovell Publishing)
Shrinking the Monster: Healing the Wounds of Abuse, by Norbert Krapf (ACTA Publications)
BRONZE: Deep Happiness, by Gil Stieglitz (PTLB Publishing)
12. BIOGRAPHY / MEMOIR
GOLD: The Root of War is Fear: Thomas Merton’s Advice to Peacemakers, by Jim Forest (Orbis Books)
SILVER: Bipolar Faith: A Black Woman’s Journey with Depression and Faith, by Monica A. Coleman (Fortress Press)
BRONZE: Diving into the Deep: A Gripping True Story of Adventure, Risk and Spiritual Quest, by Lowell Lytle with Leslie Turner (Encourage Publishing)
13. HOLIDAY
GOLD: A Very Special Christmas Tree, by Debra Buchanan (Dancing Pen Publishers)
SILVER: The Birth of Jesus: A Pop-Up Book, by Agostino Traini (Sparkhouse Family)
BRONZE: Rufus and the Very Special Baby, by Carla Barnhill (Sparkhouse Family)
14. CHILDREN’S PICTURE BOOK
GOLD (tie): Martin Luther, by Simonetta Carr (Reformation Heritage Books)
Dear Pope Francis, by Pope Francis (Loyola Press)
SILVER: Where Are You From?, by Karine-Marie Amiot and Lucie Minne (Sparkhouse Family)
BRONZE: Saints On The GO!, by Chantal Baros (Shining Light Dolls)
15. JUVENILE / YOUNG ADULT FICTION
GOLD (tie): Chains of Gwyndorr, by Joan Campbell (Enclave Publishing)
Songkeeper, by Gillian Bronte Adams (Enclave Publishing)
SILVER: Flower Swallow, by Alana Terry (Self Published)
BRONZE: The Land of Beyond Belief, by Mark Cramer and Kathryn Dahlstrom (Pigtale Publishing)
16. GENERAL FICTION
GOLD: Hosanna, by Katelyne Parker (Self Published)
SILVER: A Way Out of Hell, by Jim Baton (Self Published)
BRONZE: Uncharted: An Inspirational Novel, by Graeme Connell (Self Published)
17. INSPIRATIONAL/ROMANCE FICTION
GOLD: The Refuge: An Inspirational Novel of Scotland, by Regan Walker (Self Published)
SILVER: Judah’s Scepter and the Sacred Stone, by D.A. Brittain (First Edition Design Publishing)
BRONZE: Whispering Vines, by Amy Schisler (Self Published)
18. KEEPSAKE/GIFT/SPECIALTY BIBLE
GOLD: Stuff Jesus Never Said, by Paul Ellis (Kings Press)
SILVER: Frolic First Bible, by J.A. Reisch (Sparkhouse Family)
BRONZE: Be Who You Are, by Bro. Mickey McGrath, OSFS (Clear Faith Publishing)
19. EBOOK NON-FICTION
GOLD: Willing Hearts-Sisters of the Holy Cross-Civil War Nurses, by Marie Davis and Margaret Hultz (Self-Published)
SILVER: Sabbatical of the Mind: The Journey from Anxiety to Peace, by David L. Winters (DAVIWIN Publishing)
BRONZE: Walking With the Enemy: A Testimony, by C. Read (True Light Publications)
20. EBOOK FICTION
GOLD: Deborah Rising, by Avraham Azrieli (HarperOne)
SILVER: Autumn Imago, by Bryan Wiggins(HarperOne)
BRONZE:Written in the Ashes, by Hollan K. Van Zandt (HarperOne)
ENDURING LIGHT MEDALS
The Enduring Light medals reward exemplary Christian-themed books published since the year 2000. These medals are presented to books with enduring messages in five categories: Christian Thought; Devotional; Inspirational; Christian Fiction; and Christian Children’s Book.
L1. CHRISTIAN THOUGHT
GOLD: Union With Christ: The Way to Know and Enjoy God, by Rankin Wilbourne (David C. Cook)
SILVER: Gathering Courage: A Life-Changing Journey Through Adoption, Adversity, and a Reading Disability, by T.A. McMullin (Gathering Courage Media)
BRONZE: The Case Against Origen and Reincarnation, by Eric Liberatos (Lulu Publishing Services)
L2. DEVOTIONAL
GOLD: The Gospel According to Ruth: A Season of Harvest 121 Days of Devotion, by Kevin Foster (Carpenter’s Son Publishing)
SILVER: The Blessing of Melchizedek Devotional, by Sharon Arpana Edwards (Consonant Books)
BRONZE: On a Clear Blue Day, by Priscilla K. Garatti (Self-Published)
L3. INSPIRATIONAL
GOLD: Care-Full Love, by Lois Werth Mimbs (Xulon Press)
SILVER: Nearly Orthodox: on Being a Modern Woman in an Ancient Tradition, by Angela Doll Carlson (Ancient Faith Publishing)
BRONZE: Finding Hope in the Journey, by Heidi Tucker (Self Published)
L4. CHRISTIAN FICTION
GOLD: Danya: A Woman of Galilee, by Anne McGivern (WOW! Press)
SILVER: Lead Me Not, by Ann Gallagher (Riptide Publishing)
BRONZE: The Thirteenth Disciple, by Peter Canova (Trimountaine Publishing)
L5. CHRISTIAN CHILDREN’S BOOK
GOLD: When God Was a Little Girl, by David R. Weiss; illustrated by Joan Hernandez Lindeman (ACTA Publications)
SILVER: The Fire Truck, by Dianne Gemmell (Word Alive Press)
BRONZE: All About Angels, by Suzzanne Brakefield (ABCatholic)