Below are the Illumination Book Awards results for the 2021 Illumination Awards, 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. Click on titles if you are interested in purchasing one of these award-winning books.
Congratulations to all of the winners!
GENERAL CATEGORIES:
1. Bible Study | 2. Christian Living | 3. Devotional | 4. Theology | 5. Ministry/Mission | 6. Catholic | 7. Family/Parenting | 8. Education | 9. Spirituality | 10. Illness/Death/Dying | 11. Self-Help | 12. Health/Wellness | 13. Biography/Memoir- Inspiration | 14. Biography/Memoir- Personal Struggle | 15. Holiday | 16. Children’s Picture Book | 17. Juvenile/Young Adult Fiction | 18. General Fiction | 19. Romance Fiction | 20. Mystery/Thriller | 21. Keepsake/Gift/Specialty Bible | 22. Poetry | 23. Digital Media (eBook, Audiobook)
ENDURING LIGHT CATEGORIES:
L1. Christian Thought | L2. Devotional | L3. Inspirational | L4. Christian Fiction | L5. Christian Children’s Book
GENERAL CATEGORIES
1. Bible Study
GOLD
The Beatitudes for Progressive Christians
by Donald Schmidt
(Wood Lake Publishing)
Silver (tie)
Grow in the Grace: Spiritual Growth Lessons from Peter's Walk with Jesus
by James Callen
(Crosslink Publishing)
Silver (tie)
Memoirs of How It All Began: A Performance Interpretation of the Gospel of Luke
by Mark F. Whitters
(Cascade Books)
Bronze
Seeking Treasures
by Donna E. Lane
(Bear's Place Publishing)
2. Christian Living
GOLD
The Center Will Hold
by Christopher de Vinck
(Loyola Press)
Silver (tie)
Passionate for Justice: Ida B. Wells as Prophet for Our Time
by Catherine Meeks & Nibs Stroupe
(Church Publishing Incorporated)
Silver (tie)
Hunger for Hope
by Sr. Simone Campbell
(Orbis Books)
Bronze
True Worshipers
by Marja Verschoor-Meijers
(Frisse Kijk)
3. Devotional
GOLD
Heart & Home: Design Basics for Your Soul & Living Space
by Victoria Duerstock
(Abingdon Press)
Silver
Jesus-Centered Daily: See. Hear. Touch. Smell. Taste
by Rick Lawrence
(Lifetree By Group)
Bronze
Activating Joy: A 40-Day Journey to Rediscovering the Meaning of Joy
by Jessica Hurtado
(Reflecting on the Word)
4. Theology
GOLD
Ignatian Discernment of Spirits in Spiritual Direction and Pastoral Care
by Mark E. Thibodeaux, SJ
(Loyola Press)
Silver
Experiencing God in the Ordinary
by Fr. William A. Barry, SJ
(Loyola Press)
Bronze
No Half-Truths Allowed: Understanding the Complete Gospel Message
by Christine Paxson & Rose Spiller
(Ambassador International)
5. Ministry/Mission
GOLD
Preaching Black Lives Matter
by Gayle Fisher-Stewart
(Church Publishing Incorporated)
Silver
The Last Pastor: Faithfully Steering a Closing Church
by Gail Cafferata
(Westminster John Knox Press)
Bronze
Unexpected Connections: How God is Rewiring a Community to Fight Social Isolation and Grow the Kingdom
by Matt Peacock
(Iridescent Press)
6. Catholic
GOLD (tie)
The Outsider: Pope Francis and the Battle to Reform the Church
by Christopher Lamb
(Orbis Books)
GOLD (tie)
5 Things with Father Bill
by Fr. Bill Byrne
(Loyola Press)
Silver
on Love
by Pope Francis
(Loyola Press)
Bronze
The Way to Manresa
by Brendan McManus, SJ
(Loyola Press)
7. Family/Parenting
GOLD
Motherhood: A Confession
by Natalie Carnes
(Stanford University Press)
Silver (tie)
Keeping Kids Safe in a Digital World: A Solution That Works
by Mandy Majors
(Self Published)
Silver (tie)
Reimagining Adoption: What Adoptees Seek from Families and Faith
by Sally Ankerfelt, M. Div. and Gayle H. Swift, CPC
(Braided Threads Publishing)
Bronze
Don't Mess With This Mama : Risking It All to Rescue Our Daughter
by Missy Maxwell Worton
(Author Academy Elite)
8. Education
GOLD
Teaching Students with Autism in a Catholic Setting
by Dr. Lawrence R. Sutton
(Loyola Press)
SILVER
Preparing Hearts and Minds
by Joe Paprocki
(Loyola Press)
BRONZE
Lord, You Called Me
by Ricardo Grzona
(Loyola Press)
9. Spirituality
GOLD
The Inner Chapel
by Becky Eldredge
(Loyola Press)
Silver
Not All Who Wander (Spiritually) Are Lost
by Traci Rhoades
(Church Publishing Incorporated)
Bronze
Without Oars
by Wesley Granberg-Michaelson
(Broadleaf Books)
10. Illness/Death/Dying
GOLD
Pilgrimage: A Doctor’s Healing Journey
by Donna Chacko, MD
(Luminare Press)
Silver
Messy Hope: Help Your Child Overcome Anxiety, Depression, or Suicidal Ideation
by Lori Wildenberg
(New Hope Publishers)
Bronze
Gus Finds a New Friend
by Karen Nicksich
(Book Vine Press)
11. Self-Help
GOLD
Christian Minimalism: Simple Steps for Abundant Living
by Becca Ehrlich
(Morehouse Publishing)
Silver
Spiritual Exhaustion
by Julie Anshasi
(Giant Publishing Company)
Bronze
LINKED for Couples: Maximizing Heart Connections One Link at a Time
by Linda Gilden and Linda Goldfarb
(Bold Vision Books)
12. Health/Wellness
GOLD
Helping Families Recover from Addiction
by Jean Heaton
(Loyola Press)
Silver
Spiritual Practices for the Brain
by Anne Kertz Kernion
(Loyola Press)
Bronze
Struck Down but Not Destroyed: Living Faithfully with Anxiety
by Pierce Taylor Hibbs
(Self Published)
13. Biography/Memoir - Inspiration
GOLD
Writing Straight With Crooked Lines
by Jim Forest
(Orbis Books)
Silver
All In
by Porter Moser
(Loyola Press)
Bronze
Belonging
by Frank J. Butler
(Orbis Books)
14. Biography/Memoir - Personal Struggle
GOLD
Worth It: Overcome Your Fears and Embrace the Life You Were Made For
by Brit Baron
(Broadleaf Books)
Silver
Boldly into the Darkness: Living with Loss, Growing with Grief & Holding onto Happiness
by Autumn Toelle-Jackson
(Wise Ink Creative Publishing)
Bronze
While We Slept: Finding Hope and Healing After Homicide
by Marcy Pusey with Jeremy Pusey
(Miramare Ponte Press)
15. Holiday
GOLD
That Grand Christmas Day!
by Jill Roman Lord illustrated by Alessia Trunfio
(Worthy Kids)
Silver (tie)
The Shepherd's Story
by Jimmy Dunne, Illustrated by Ivan Kravets
(Loyola Press)
Silver (tie)
The Quiet Crazy Easter Day
by Jill Roman Lord
(BH Kids)
Bronze
What is Halloween?
by Michelle Medlock Adams; illustrated by Amy Wummer
(Worthy Kids)
16. Children's Picture Book
GOLD (tie)
I Love You Bigger Than the Sky
by Michelle Medlock Adams; illustrated by Ag Jatkowska
(Worthy Kids)
GOLD (tie)
Seek & Find Bible
by Elisenda Castells and Gabrielle Murphy
(Loyola Press)
Silver
A Baa-rilliant Adventure
by Jennifer Somervell; illustrated by Zerika van Jaarsveld
(Landing Lights Press)
Bronze
A Gift To Remember
by Merideth Tullous; illustrated by Ylber Cérvadiku
(H&E Press)
17. Juvenile/Young Adult Fiction
GOLD (tie)
Shadow in the Dark
by Antony Barone Kolenc
(Loyola Press)
GOLD (tie)
Stealing Embers
by Julie Hall
(Julie Hall)
Silver
Heartmender
by V. Romas Burton
(Monster Ivy Publishing)
Bronze (tie)
Fortune's Fall
by Katherine Barger
(Anaiah Press)
Bronze (tie)
The Vault Between Spaces
by Chawna Schroeder
(Enclave Escape)
18. General Fiction
GOLD
What Momma Left Behind
by Cindy K. Sproles
(Revell)
Silver (tie)
Devyn's Dilemma
by Susan G Mathis
(Heritage Beacon Fiction)
Silver (tie)
The Confessions of Adam
by David J. Marsh
(Bold Vision Books)
Bronze
The Flight of the Veil
by Bruce J. Berger
(Black Rose Writing)
19. Romance Fiction
GOLD (TIE)
Runaway River
by Kim D. Taylor
(Trilogy)
GOLD (TIE)
Seasoned ~ A Love Story
by Jayme H. Mansfield
(Lighthouse Publishing)
Silver
The Menu
by Steven Manchester
(Luna Bella Press)
Bronze
Polarized Love
by Lisa Renee
(Self Published)
20. Mystery/Thriller
GOLD
Death and a Crocodile
by Lisa E. Betz
(Crosslink Publishing)
Silver
The Chase
by Charles Besondy
(Besondy Publishing)
Bronze
Divine Return: Death is Never the End
by Jeff Walton
(Sunbrook Publishing)
21. Keepsake/Gift/Specialty Bible
GOLD
Eyewitness: The Visual Bible Experience
by Jeff White
(Lifetree By Group)
Silver
God's Wonderful Word
by Loyola Press; illustrated by Emma Segal
(Loyola Press)
Bronze
Bible Power Puzzles: Learn the Word of God Through the Power of Puzzles!
by Diego Jourdan Pereira
(Good Books)
22. Poetry
GOLD
Redeemed Reflections: Poems and Ponderings of Faith
by Kari L. Greenaway
(Self Published)
Silver
Broken ~ Poems from the Holy Spirit
by Julie Anshasi
(Giant Publishing Company)
Bronze
Songs of Benjamin
by Benjamin Kwakye
(Cissus World Press)
23. Digital Media
GOLD
Enjoy Today Own Tomorrow
by Laine Lawson Craft
(Christian Audio)
Silver
Glimmers of Glory: Discovering God Moments in the Gloomy
by Lisa Wilt
(Rx For The Soulful Heart)
Bronze
Finally I Do... Again
by Marq and Beverly Redmond
(Self Published)
ENDURING LIGHT CATEGORIES
Most book awards focus on recent releases, but the Enduring Light medals honor outstanding Christian-themed books published since 2000. Entry fees and judging requirements match regular categories, and both older and current titles are eligible.
L1. Christian Thought
GOLD
Building the Seattle Branches of Mary Baker Eddy's Church, A Centennial Story - Part 1: 1889 to 1929
by Cindy Peyser Safronoff
(this one thing)
Silver
Hope in the Madness: Walking Out of Addiction and Into the Freedom You Desire
by Gary Ackert
(Illumify Media)
Bronze (tie)
Prepare for the Harvest! God's Challenge to the Church Today
by Pamela Christian
(Protocol, Ltd.)
Bronze (tie)
Our 6 His 7: Transformed by Sabbath Rest
by Alisa Hope Wagner
(Marked Writers Publishing)
L2. Devotional
GOLD
Advent Devotions & Christmas Crafts for Families
by Victoria Duerstock
(Good Books)
Silver
Turning the Tide of Emotional Turbulence
by Stacy Lee Flury
(Pageant Wagon Publishing)
Bronze
Gathering Empty Pitchers
by Alisa Hope Wagner
(Marked Writers Publishing)
L3. Inspirational
GOLD
Char's Gift
by Steve Harryman
(Elm Hill/HarperCollins Christian
Publishing)
Silver
The Secret Keepers
by Heidi Tucker
(RedstoneMedia)
Bronze
The Greatest Debtor to His Love
by Dr Ngozi Okike
(Assurance Publications)
L4. Christian Fiction
GOLD
The Swan House
by Elizabeth Musser
(Bethany House)
Silver (tie)
Mercy's Promise
by Lynn Landes
(Landes Publishing)
Silver (tie)
Every Good Gift
by Urcelia Teixeira
(Self-Published)
Bronze
Seed: Judgment
by Joshua David
(Self-Published)
L5. Christian Children’s Book
GOLD (tie)
The Last Christmas Tree
by Deborah Hoffman; illustrated by Robert Sauber
(Mascot Books)
GOLD (tie)
Friends With God Story Bible: Why God Loves People Like Me
by Jeff White; illustrated by David Harrington
(Lifetree By Group)
Silver
If Jesus Lived Inside My Heart
by Jill Roman Lord
(Worthy Kids Ideals)
Bronze
Notes From Jesus: What Your New Best Friend Wants You to Know
by Mikal Keefer
(Lifetree By Group)
