April 29, 2026, WHEATON, Ill.— Crossway is pleased to announce that both He Always Hears: A Story of Loss and the Hope of Things Made New (Crossway, September 2025) by Alyson Punzi and The Story of Corrie ten Boom: The Watchmaker Who Forgave Her Enemies (Crossway, September 2025) have won 2026 Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) Christian Book Awards in their respective categories.
Justin Taylor, Crossway’s executive vice president of book publishing, writes, “It is a joy and an honor to see these two books recognized by the ECPA. Alyson Punzi’s illustrated book for children, He Always Hears, is a powerful reminder of God’s presence and grace in the midst of loss, heartache, and pain. Jennifer T. Kelley’s The Story of Corrie ten Boom, in our Lives of Faith and Grace series, brings to life a story of profound faith and courage that continues to inspire. We thank God for these books and trust that they will continue to find their way into the hands of many readers of the next generation.”
He Always Hears, winner of the New Author category and written by Alyson Punzi, encourages young readers to pray to the Lord in times of sorrow, reminding them that he hears his children’s cries. This beautifully illustrated book equips parents to address the difficult topics of grief and disappointment while pointing children to the God who cares and his redemptive promises.
Jennifer T. Kelley’s The Story of Corrie ten Boom won the award in the Young People’s Literature category. This short and lively biography takes middle-grade readers on an engaging journey through ten Boom’s life, highlighting her upbringing, her family’s covert efforts to save hundreds of Jews during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands, and, most remarkably, her courage to forgive those who persecuted her. The Story of Corrie ten Boom shows young readers the power of mercy and the importance of sharing the message of God’s love, regardless of their circumstances.
According to the ECPA’s website, the Christian Book Award® program recognizes the highest quality in Christian books and Bibles in twelve categories, and is the oldest and among the most prestigious awards programs in the religious publishing industry.
Founded in 1938, Crossway is a not-for-profit global Christian publishing ministry that publishes gospel-centered, Bible-based content to honor our Savior and serve his church. Crossway seeks to help people understand the all-encompassing implications of the gospel and the truth of God’s word—for all of life, for all eternity, and for the glory of God alone. Crossway is the global publisher of the ESV® (English Standard Version®) Bible, more than 1,000 Christian books, and an extensive list of gospel literature. For additional information, visit crossway.org.
Contact: Sarah DeRosa, lsusanto@crossway.org, 1 (630) 682-4300, ext. 6012, crossway.org
