ECPA Announces the 2008 Christian Book Award Finalists


05/12/2008, Phoenix, AZ -- The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) announces the finalists for the 2008 Christian Book Awards. Presented annually to the finest in Christian publishing since 1978, the Christian Book Awards honor titles in six categories – Bibles, Bible Reference & Study, Christian Life, Fiction, Children & Youth, and Inspiration & Gift.

The winner in each category will be announced at the CBA & ECPA Awards Celebration to be held opening night, Sunday, July 13th during the International Christian Retail Show in Orlando, FL. In addition, one title will be selected from the finalists to receive the top honor: Christian Book of the Year. The Christian Book of the Year award considers both editorial excellence and sales achievement.

The 2008 Christian Book Award finalists are as follows:

Bibles

The Apologetics Study Bible, B&H Publishing, 9781586400248

Aspire: The New Women of Color Study Bible, Zondervan, 9780310934783

Dad's Bible: The Father's Plan, NCV, Robert Wolgemuth, Editor, Thomas Nelson, Inc., 9780718019426

Discover God Study Bible NLT, Robert F. Barnes, David P. Barrett, Brenda Josee, Editors, Tyndale House Publishers, 9780842369183

The Word of Promise™ New Testament Audio Bible NKJV, Carl Amari, Producer, Thomas Nelson, Inc., 9780718024246



Bible Reference & Study

Acts, Darrell L. Bock, Baker Academic/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780801026683

An Old Testament Theology, Bruce K. Waltke, Zondervan, 9780310218975

Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament, G.K. Beale and D.A. Carson, Editors, Baker Academic/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780801026935

Dictionary of Major Biblical Interpreters, Donald K. McKim, IVP Academic, a division of InterVarsity Press, 9780830829279

Wiersbe Bible Commentary 2 Volume Set with CD Rom, Warren W. Wiersbe, David C. Cook, 9780781445412



Children & Youth

My Adopted Child, There’s No One Like You, Dr. Kevin Leman and Kevin Leman II, Revell/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780800718893

Read and Share Bible, Gwen Ellis, Thomas Nelson, Inc., 9781400308538

Scars That Wound: Scars That Heal, Jan Kern, Standard Publishing, 9780784721049

Teen Virtue: Confidential, Vicki Courtney, B&H Publishing, 9780805441925

Wait Until Then, Randy Alcorn, Tyndale House Publishers, 9781414310411



Christian Life (six finalists listed due to tie)

Faith in the Halls of Power, D. Michael Lindsay, Oxford University Press, Inc., 9780195326666

The Grand Weaver, Ravi Zacharias, Zondervan, 9780310269526

John Newton: From Disgrace to Amazing Grace, Jonathan Aitken, Crossway Books & Bibles, 9781581348484

unChristian, David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons, Baker Books/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780801013003

When the Game is Over, It All Goes Back in the Box, John Ortberg, Zondervan, 9780310253501

Who Stole My Church?, Gordon MacDonald, Thomas Nelson, Inc., 9780785226017



Fiction (six finalists listed due to tie)

Between Sundays, Karen Kingsbury, Zondervan, 9780310257721

Chasing Fireflies, Charles Martin, Thomas Nelson, Inc., 9781595540560

Deception, Randy Alcorn, Multnomah Books, 9781590526163

In Search of Eden, Linda Nichols, Bethany House Publishers/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780764201677

Quaker Summer, Lisa Samson, Thomas Nelson, Inc., 9781595542076

Summer of Light, W. Dale Cramer, Bethany House Publishers/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780764229961



Inspiration & Gift

Happily Ever After, Kristin Armstrong, FaithWords, a division of Hatchette Book Group USA, 9780446579896

The Message//REMIX: Solo, Eugene H. Peterson, NavPress, 9781600061059

Moments with You, Dennis and Barbara Rainey, Regal Books, 9780830743841

Precious Lord, Take My Hand, Shelly Beach, Discovery House Publishers, 9781572931954

Step into the Bible, Ruth Graham, Zondervan, 9780310714101



“These books are the best of the best,” says ECPA President Mark Kuyper. “Our team of expert judges have spent hours reading and evaluating to select the highest quality books in each category.”

ECPA is partnering with Christianity Today International (CTi) to promote the winning titles to its consumer base.

As in 2007, ECPA has also confirmed support from national retail outlets to create in-store and consumer promotions to increase awareness of the Christian Book Awards. The group of participants includes: Berean Christian Stores, Family Christian Stores, Lifeway Christian Stores, The Munce Group, CBD/ChristianBooks.com, Crossings Book Club (DoubleDay), Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble and Borders. Promotions include in-store and online presence.

In addition, INNOVATIVE, a national web site company working with more than 750 Christian retailers and 300 broadcast outlets, will partner with ECPA to present the Christian Book Award winners on their client websites.

“A national award is only as good as its consumer recognition,” adds Kuyper. “ECPA is committed to promoting these worthy books to media, bookstores and consumers.”

The Christian Book Awards, established in 1978 as the Gold Medallion Book Awards by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association, recognize the absolute highest quality in Christian books. Based on excellence in content, literary quality, design, and significance of contribution, the Christian Book Awards are the oldest and among the most prestigious in the religious publishing industry.

Finalists are selected from entries published in 2007 and submitted by ECPA members. For more information, go to www.ecpa.org.

# # #