For Immediate Release — April 1, 2026

Christian Book Award® Finalists Named for 2026

67 titles recognized across 12 categories, with ties in six

CHANDLER, Ariz., April 1, 2026 — The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) has named 67 finalists for the 2026 Christian Book Award® program, recognizing outstanding titles across 12 book and Bible categories.

The finalists represent the work of 34 Christian publishers and imprints. Ties in six categories resulted in an expanded slate of 67 recognized titles.

Winners in each category, along with the 2026 Christian Book of the Year®, will be announced April 28 at the ECPA Awards Celebration, held at the Chicago Marriott Schaumburg during the ECPA Leadership Summit. The event will bring together Christian publishing leaders and industry professionals for an evening of recognition, including special honors for Robert Wolgemuth and Livingstone Corporation founders Bruce Barton and Dave Veerman, as well as milestone and sales achievements.

The Christian Book of the Year® will be announced by last year’s recipient, New York Times bestselling author John Mark Comer, author of Practicing the Way (WaterBrook).

“Each year, the ECPA Awards Celebration offers a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the calling and impact of Christian publishing,” said ECPA president Jeff Crosby. “We honor those who have shaped the past, celebrate the books reaching readers today, and encourage those who will carry this work forward.”

The finalists of the 2026 Christian Book Award® program are:

AUDIO – Tie

Beloved, written and narrated by Francis Chan, produced by Gabe Wicks, David C Cook; book published by David C Cook, B0FP5V3H4D

The Biggest Story Bible Storybook, Kevin DeYoung; narrated by Michael Reeves, produced by Zach Van Dyke, Andrew Weiss, Phil Borst, Crossway; book published by Crossway, B0DVLZFD2P

The Girl on the Bathroom Floor, Amber Emily Smith; narrated by Amber Emily Smith and Granger Smith, produced by Sydney Mathieu, HarperAudio; book published by Thomas Nelson, B0F1W7Q268

I Just Wish I Had a Bigger Kitchen, written and narrated by Kate Strickler, produced by Christian Audio, book published by Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group, B0FDH42YFY

Tame Your Thoughts, written and narrated by Max Lucado, produced by Sydney Mathieu, HarperAudio; book published by Thomas Nelson, B0DXXHKD3L

This Changes Everything, written and narrated by Tyler Merritt, produced by Hachette Audio, book published by Worthy Books, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc., B0D4WNNJ45

BIBLES

The Action Bible Study Bible ESV, Sergio Cariello, David C Cook, 9780830787470

DaySpring Daily Devotional Bible for Moms NLT, Tyndale House and DaySpring, Tyndale House Publishers, 9781496481672

The NIV Action Study Bible, Sergio Cariello, David C Cook, 9780830787432

NIV Application Bible, Zondervan, 9780310465096

NKJV Student Study Bible, Thomas Nelson Bibles, Thomas Nelson, 9781400340231

BIBLE REFERENCE WORKS

Behind the Scenes of the New Testament, Bruce W. Longenecker, Elizabeth E. Shively and T. J. Lang, Baker Academic/ Baker Publishing Group, 9781540964472

Colossians (Word Biblical Commentary), Clinton E. Arnold, Zondervan Academic, 9780310125211

The Incarnate Christ and His Critics, Robert M. Bowman Jr. and J. Ed Komoszewski, Kregel Academic, 9780825445798

Our Daily Bread Bible Atlas, John A. Beck, Our Daily Bread Publishing, 9781640703230

Romans: Greek-English Interlinear, Michael F. Bird, Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group, 9781683598145

BIBLE STUDY – Tie

30 Days of Prayer, Proverbs 31 Ministries, HarperChristian Resources, 9780310178668

52 Weeks Through the Bible, John MacArthur, HarperChristian Resources, 9780310169109

Colossians and Philemon, Colleen D. Searcy, Crossway, 9781433596841

Esther, Kelly Minter, Lifeway Christian Resources, 9781430087908

Finding Freedom in Christ, Portia Collins, Crossway, 9781433594830

God of the Ordinary, Alistair Begg, Lifeway Christian Resources, 9798384525639

BIOGRAPHY & MEMOIR – Tie

Compelled, Paul & Sarah Hastings with Ellie Payne, 10Publishing, 9781837280544

Five Mere Christians, Jordan Raynor and Kaleigh Cox, Harvest House Publishers, 9780736991704

Here Be Dragons, Melanie Shankle; WaterBrook, an imprint Penguin Random House Christian Publishing Group, 9780593601204

Light in the Valley of the Shadow of Death, edited By Roman Soloviy, Langham Publishing, 9781786411976

Miraculous!, Ken Ham, New Leaf Publishing Group, 9781683443810

Rebecca Sue, Kathleen Norris, InterVarsity Press, 9781514011409

This Changes Everything, Tyler Merritt; Worthy Books, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc., 9781546006961

CHILDREN – Tie

He Always Hears, Alyson Punzi; illustrated by Tyler Charlton, Crossway, 9781433596285

Hello! My Name is Emmanuel, Emmanuel Jean Russell; illustrated by Martina Stuhlberger, Tyndale House Publishers, 9781496488442

Hope Comes to Stay, Clarissa Moll; illustrated by Gretchen Ellen Kopp, Harvest House Publishers, 9780736989534

Jesus, Our True Friend, Sally Lloyd-Jones; illustrated by Jago, Zonderkidz, 9780310160885

Where Did TJ Go?, Annie F. Downs with Tatum Green; illustrated by Jennie Poh, Revell/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780800738785

The Wonders of the First Christmas, written and illustrated by Andy McGuire, Zonderkidz, 9780310170211

CHRISTIAN LIVING – Tie

A Heart Aflame for God, Matthew Bingham, Crossway, 9781433592621

Fujian, Paul Hattaway, Langham Publishing, 9781786411327

Restored, Meshali Mitchell, Revell/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780800746209

Stand Firm and Act Like Men, Joby Martin with Charles Martin, FaithWords, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc., 9781546008217

Tame Your Thoughts, Max Lucado, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 9781400256235

You Have a Calling, Karen Swallow Prior, Brazos Press/ Baker Publishing Group, 9781587436659

DEVOTION & GIFT

Becoming New, Warren W. Wiersbe, David C Cook, 9780830787661

The Illuminated Gospel of John, Jane Sullivan, Cambridge University Press, 9781009482615

Spurgeon and the Gospels, Charles Spurgeon, Thomas Nelson, 9781400345786

The Way of the Wildflower, Ruth Chou Simons, Thomas Nelson Gift, 9781400244416

Widow’s Might, Rachel Faulkner Brown, BroadStreet Publishing Group, 9781424568079

FAITH & CULTURE

The Anti-Greed Gospel, Malcolm Foley, Brazos Press/ Baker Publishing Group, 9781587436307

The Gospel Way Catechism, Trevin Wax and Thomas West, Harvest House Publishers, 9780736991414

Scrolling Ourselves to Death, Brett McCracken and Ivan Mesa, Crossway, 9781433599446

The Tech Exit, Clare Morell; Forum Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House Christian Publishing Group, 9780593736296

Van Gogh Has a Broken Heart, Russ Ramsey, Zondervan Reflective, 9780310155577

MINISTRY RESOURCES

The Clay Pot Conspiracy, Dave Harvey, New Growth Press, 9781645075400

Pastoral Confessions, Jamin Goggin, Baker Books, Baker Publishing Group, 9781540905062

The Sing! Hymnal, Keith and Kristyn Getty, Crossway, 9781433590290

What Gen Z Really Wants to Know About God, Tanita Tualla Maddox, InterVarsity Press, 9781514012161

When It’s Trauma, Darby A. Strickland, P&R Publishing Company, 9798887790466

NEW AUTHOR – Tie

He Always Hears, Alyson Punzi; illustrated by Tyler Charlton, Crossway, 9781433596285

Helping Your Kids Know God’s Good Design, Elizabeth Urbanowicz, Harvest House Publishers, 9780736991391

Old Soul, New Creation, Jake Weidman, Thomas Nelson, 9781400246847

Room for Good Things to Run Wild, Josh Nadeau, W Publishing, an imprint of Thomas Nelson, 9781400341047

Sinner Saint, Luke Kjolhaug, 1517 Publishing, 9781964419152

You Can Trust a God with Scars, Jared Ayers, NavPress, 9781641589963

YOUNG PEOPLE’S LITERATURE

The Bible Recap for Kids, Tara-Leigh Cobble, Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group, 9780764240355

Hey Girl, Anne Wilson, K-LOVE Books, 9781637634868

The Story of Corrie ten Boom, Jennifer T. Kelley, Crossway, 9781433583490

The Sword, Marty Machowski, New Growth Press, 9781645075448

What Makes You Beautiful, Kristen Wetherell, Crossway, 9781433592485

Finalists and winners will be promoted through key retail and media partners, including media sponsor Christianity Today and retail partners Barnes & Noble, ChristianBook.com, Logos, Mardel, The Munce Group/MTL, NetGalley and Parable Christian Stores.

View the finalists at christianbookawards.com/finalists.html.
ECPA Awards Celebration event details at ecpaleadership.org/awards-evening.html

About the Christian Book Award® program
Established in 1978 as the Gold Medallion Award, the Christian Book Award® program recognizes excellence in Christian publishing, including content, literary quality, design and impact. It is the oldest and among the most prestigious awards in religious publishing. Learn more at ChristianBookAwards.com.

About ECPA
ECPA is an international nonprofit trade organization comprised of member companies involved in the publishing and distribution of Christian content worldwide. Since 1974, ECPA has strengthened Christian publishing by providing networking, information and advocacy opportunities to help members effectively produce and deliver content that inspires and transforms lives. Learn more at ECPA.org.

Media contacts:
Jeff Crosby, President — jcrosby@ecpa.org | 630-989-0222
Cindy Carter, Awards & Recognition Manager — ccarter@ecpa.org | 480-966-3998 ext. 806

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