Volume 46 | Issue 1 Article 7

2003 The hrC isty Award: Excellence In Christian Fiction, An Annotated Bibliography Rachel Schwedt Liberty University

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Recommended Citation Schwedt, Rachel (2003) "The hrC isty Award: Excellence In Christian Fiction, An Annotated Bibliography," The Christian Librarian: Vol. 46 : Iss. 1 , Article 7. Available at: http://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/tcl/vol46/iss1/7

This Article is brought to you for free and open access by Digital Commons @ George Fox University. It has been accepted for inclusion in The Christian Librarian by an authorized editor of Digital Commons @ George Fox University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. EXCELLENCE IN CHRISTIAN FICTION, AN ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

Rachel Schwedt he burgeoning interest in founders of the award have developed Christian fiction that has marked the following working definition: Curriculum Librarian Trecent years has brought with it "Christian fiction is a category a proliferation of new writers who are of stories written by novelists Liberty University trying to make their way into the whose Christian worldview is Lynchburg, Virginia mainstream market. Alongside this woven into the fabric of the plot growth has come a need to establish and character development. Al­ guidelines that would encourage a high though this definition might seem standard of quality in the field. The either simplistic on the one hand Christian publishing industry itself or overly broad on the other, this responded to this challenge in 1999 by grouping of novels is as compre­ establishing an award that would hensive and as varied in age, in­ identify novels and novelists of terest, and spiritual depth as its excellence. By acknowledging authors readership. C.S. Lewis resisted the worthy of note, they hoped to encour­ label "Christian" for his novels, age both creativity and quality in contending that he was simply cre­ writing, broaden readership of the ating a story. But whether overtly genre, and bring recognition and or subtly, Lewis' fiction came out exposure to authors who had not yet of his understanding of God and reached a large readership. of the universe He created, out of Supporters of this award are the knowledge that God cares dedicated to the genre. Their website deeply about His creation that has states their belief in the power of story. been damaged by sin, and He "In a postmodem age in which the joined the human race to build a power of story has an even more sig­ bridge back to himself. This bridge nificant place than in the past for es­ between God and humanity will in tablishing new ideas, influencing some way inform and characterize thought, and captivating people's every Christian novel. minds and emotions, Christian fiction Good fiction, whether or not has an increasingly important role to it is identified as Christian, will play in the church and to a new gen­ provide a memorable reading ex­ eration ofseekers. The Master Story­ perience that captures the imagi­ tellerofall time did most ofHis teach­ nation, inspires, challenges, and ing through fiction. A great story cap­ educates. Fiction published for the tivates, entertains, educates, inspires, Christian book market does not and challenges the reader- The include the gratuitous demonstra­ Christy Awards celebrate novels from tion of sin- whether language, a Christian worldview that achieve violence, sexual situations, or the these goals." more hidden sins of idolatry and self-worship. Credible characters WHAT IS CHRISTIANF1CTION? in a fallen world, of course, will To identify which novels may be sin. But the Christian novel's pre­ considered as Christian fiction, the sentation of the grit and grime of

24 The ChlJ.S€nJ1ibrarian, 46( 1) 200.3 human circumstance wilJ not be These include: Summarizing all of these is an overall done for its own sake or to titil­ • Allegory - Includes fiction written satisfaction with the story late, but to point the reader toward in the form of extended metaphor. Anyone wishing to be a judge may hope, toward God." • Contemporary/General - The contact the Christy Award at CA2000 Because the essence of Christianity setting for the novel is 1950 or after. DK@aolcom, TheChristyAwardLLC, is a relationship with God, a Christian • Futuristic - The setting for the 1571 Glastonbury Road, Ann Arbor, novelists' well-conceived story will in plot is at a future time. This includes Michigan 48103, (734) 663-7931. (Quotes some way, whether directly or indi­ apocalyptic works. used by permission from the Christy Award rectly, add insight to the reader's • North American Historical - The website.) understanding of life, of faith, of the primary setting is North America. The Creator's yearning over His creation. time period is pre-1950. AWARD WINNERS • International Historical- The primary Over the past three years, winners have CATHERINE MARSHALL setting is in countries other than the United included authors familiar to readers of The name chosen for the award States. The time period is pre-1950. Christian fiction as well as many new faces. honors Catherine Marshall, a notable • Romance - The focus is on Titles of winners are listed below. For a full and best-selling Christian writer. Her romantic drama. description of the works, visit the Christy novel Christy, which was brought to • Suspense - Events in the novel are Award web site at www. christyawards.com national attention by its serialization for strange, frightening or thrilling. television, has over 10 million copies in • Western-The story is set on the WINNERS FOR 2002 print. The videos of these programs American frontier in the late 19th and have become enduring classics, which early 20th century. CONTEMPORARY reach across age levels and interest • First novel - First novels are those A Garden to Keep groups. Her novels and inspirational written by an author who has not Jamie Langston Turner books together have more than 25 published commercially any book­ Bethany House million copies in print. H Christian length work. These titles may also be fiction is defined by the distinct entered in another category. The discovery of her husband's worldview woven into its very fabric, unfaithfulness forces Elizabeth Landis out then Catherine Marshall's stories stand JUDGING PROCESS of complacency into an examination of her as true examples of the genre. Each fall, candidates are submitted life that she compares to an untended for judging by participating publishing garden. Coinciding with personal discovery QUALIFICATIONS companies. Judging panels are made up is her growth from fledgling Christian to a To qualify as candidates for the of seven persons for each category. believer of greater understanding and award, works must be full-length novels They are chosen from professors, maturity. The rambling reminiscence of her published in English in the United librarians, editors and book retailers. past life could become tedious, but instead States. They may be in paperback or Evaluations are given on a scale of one is insightful and powerful. This is an honest hardcover format, but must be pub­ to ten, based on ten separate criteria. look at lives of human failure that are lished the year preceding the presenta­ Three books from each category are touched by God's grace. tion of the award. Most importantly, named finalists, with the book achiev­ "the content must by consistent with a ing the highest cumulative score being FUTURISTIC Christian worldview and the historic given the Christy Award for that Oxygen Christian tradition reflected in the category. Randall Ingermanson and John Olson Apostle's Creed." Of these criteria are several that Bethany House Further definitions and guidelines relate to all works of fiction such as for entry and eligibility can be found on effective characterization, clear The flight of Ares 10, the first manned the Christy Award web site at development of plot and setting, quality mission to Mars, is plagued with trouble www.christyawards.com or can be of writing, and adherence to the norms from the very beginning. As problems received by mailing a request to: The of a particular genre. Other standards mount, Valkerie Jansen, a Christian Christy Award, LLC, 1571 Glastonbury apply more specifically to Christian physician assigned to the crew at the last Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103. fiction including a concern that a minute, begins to suspect sabotage. When coherent theme is presented without an explosion in deep space reduces the CATEGORIES extensive sermonizing. Characters and oxygen supply, drastic measures must be Beginning in 1999 with six group­ theme are rated by the extent to which taken to save the ship and the lives of the ings, by 2002 categories have been they reflect Christian values and the crew. Well-developed characters are expanded to nine distinct areas. depth to which they engage the reader. presented in a highly suspenseful mystery.

T he Ch'ijS@Jybrarian, 46(1) 200S 25 INTERNATIONAL HISTORY SUSPENSE WINNERS FOR2001 While Mortals Sleep Drummer in the Dark ANNOTATIONS Jack Cavanaugh T. Davis Bunn Bethany House Waterbrook Press CONTEMPORARY/GENERAL Home to Harmony Caught in the maelstrom of World War When Congressman Graham Hutchings Philip Gulley II, young Gennan pastor Josef Schumacher is bedridden by a stroke, Wynn Bryant is Harper finds himself vacillating between feelings of named to fill out the term of office by his national pride and his conscience. While brother-in-law, the present governor of Nostalgic,hilarious,gentle,delightful pressured by members of his congregation Florida. The mission given to him in return and perceptive are all adjectives that have to fully support the Nazi movement, Josef for this political favor is to defeat been applied to this collection of stories increasingly becomes aware of the evils Hutchings' JubileeAmendment, a measure about the small town of Harmony, Indiana being committed by those in political designed to bring some amount of control From Frank, the 70-year-old secretary, to power. The choices he must face could to international currency trading. As Deena, the lawyer who opened a coffee jeopardize his family, his congregation, Bryant's research into the amendment shop, to Miriam who rescued a niece from and his very life. uncovers a plot by international financier abusive parents, the characters are presented Pavel Hayek to pull off a huge currency with humor and compassion. NORTH AMERICAN IDSTORY scam, Bryant becomes involved with a Hidden Places deadly race against powerful enemies to The Trial Lynn Austin protect our nation's financial stability. Robert Whitlow Bethany House Word Publishers WESTERN Left with three children to support after The Long Trail Home Kent ("Mac") MacClain is pulled out of the death of her husband, Eliza Wyatt is Stephen Bly despair over the death of his wife and two determined to maintain the family orchards Broadman & Holman Publishers sons by a request to act as public defender in spite of the Depression that has seized the for the alleged murderer of the daughter country. When a mysterious young The devastation his family experiences from a wealthy and powerful Hightower vagabond named Gabriel offers help, Eliza during the Civil War, send Samuel Fortune family. Combining mystery, suspense and is uncertain whether to be grateful or wary. into Indian Territory where he expresses his inspiration, Whitlow uses his courtroom It takes intervention from eccentric "Aunt bitterness by robbing banks, trains, and expertise to pen a convincing and Batty'' to help Eliza find her way. Underly­ freight companies. After release from prison, exciting drama. ing themes include recovery from he hides out with his father and brother until abusive relationships and having the he discovers that the only way to escape FUTURISTIC courage to follow your dream in spite his past is to make amends for the wrongs Transgression of opposition from others. he has done and to reconcile with his Randall Ingermanson family and his God. Harvest House Publishers ROMANCE The Guardian FIRST NOVEL In a scientific experiment gone awry, Dee Henderson Ezekiel's Shadow Rivka Meyers, a Messianic Jewish Multnomah Publishers David Long archaeology student, and Ari Kazan, a Bethany House brilliant Jewish physicist, are trapped in When Judge Carl Whitmore is ancient Jerusalem with Dr. Darnien West, a murdered, U.S. Marshal Marcus After his conversion to Christianity, colleague of Ari's who is determined to O'Malley is assigned to track down the horror writer Ian Merchant is no longer able assassinate the apostle Paul. Ingennanson killer. At the same time, he must protect to write the stories that have made him manages to effectively combine elements of Shari Hanford, the crime's only famous. With his editor pressing for the yet both historical and futuristic genres in eyewitness. The situation becomes another novel to please his past audience, this suspense novel. complex as Marcus and Shari begin to Merchant struggles to reconcile his fall in love. Shari's faith also challenges newfound faith with his choice of career. At INTERNATIONAL IDSTORY Marcus to reexamine his beliefs. the same time, a menacing figure begins to Unashamed Henderson successfully mixes sus­ stalk him, using elements from his own Francine Rivers pense, humor, mystery and realistic books to torment him. Ian must trust his Tyndale House Publishers character development in this inspira­ newfound faith to help him win against the tional thriller. evil that threatens to destroy him. Although others in the city of Jericho

26 The ChJF@!Jybrarian, 46( 1) 2003 saw the danger posed by the approaching of Nairobi, more difficult than she had FUTURISTIC body of Israelites, only Rahab understood thought. Adding to her troubles is news of By Dawn's Early Light that life or death Jay in the hand of the God financial problems back home. When Grant R. Jeffrey and Angela Hunt of the Hebrews. Her journey from shame to repeated attempts are made on her life she Word Publishers faith and her courage in the face of extreme turns to anthropologist Grant Thornton for danger are vividly portrayed in this help. Drawn together by circumstances, Based on prophecies given in the offering ofBiblical fiction. they both face larger chaJJenges than they book of Ezekiel, this sequel to Flee the have ever anticipated. Darkness is a gripping account of NORI'HAMERICAN IDSTORY possible coming world events. Edge of Honor FIRST NOVEL Gilbert Morris Passing by Samaria NOR1HAMERICANIDSTORY Zondervan Publishers Sharon Ewell Foster The Meeting Place Multnomah Publishers Janette Oke and T. Davis Bunn In response to a troubled conscience, a Bethany House young Union doctor travels south to After witnessing the results of a cruel Arkansas to aid the widow of a Rebel racial injustice, Samaria is uprooted from A chance meeting on the day of their soldier that he accidentally killed at the end her family in Mississippi and sent to live weddings, between Louisa, a Frenchwoman of the Civil War conflict When he falls in with an aunt in Chicago. In this time of and Catherine, who is English begins a love with the widow, he must decide social unrest in the early 1900s, Samaria tentative relationship. This is the time of the whether to return to his wealthy fiance in the struggles to overcome bitterness and emerge French and Indian War, however, and their New York or remain and fight for the into a life of purpose and reconciliation. villages are on opposite sides of the conflict affections of one who used to be an enemy. In spite of obstacles placed in their path, the WINNERS FOR 2000 two women pursue their friendship, Reaping the Whirlwind ANNOTATIONS supporting each other through the Rosey Dow difficult tragedies of war. Wine Press Publishers CONTEMPORARY/GENERAL A New Song ROMANCE Weaving a murder mystery in and Jan Karon Whispers from Yesterday around the famous trial of John Scopes, Viking Press Robin Lee Hatcher Dow creates a suspenseful drama while Waterbrook Press revealing much of the untruth that After his recent marriage and retirement surrounds this historical event. as rector of Lord's Chapel in Mitford, When her world collapses, socialite Karen Father Tim Kavanaugh is asked by his Butler reluctantly finds a home on her SUSPENSE bishop to serve as interim pastor on grandmother Sophia's Golden T. Ranch. The Great Divide Whitehead Island. The cast of quirky She is little prepared to cope with the rough T. Davis Bunn characters and Father Tun's mixture of life and the summer camp for troubled teens Doubleday Publishers naivety and wisdom continue the reading that Sophia aJJows Dusty Stoddard to pleasure for devotees of this series. operate on her land. As she struggles with Marcus Glenwood, a formerly her pain, Karen finds truth that bring her successful corporate lawyer, agrees to INTERNATIONALIDSTORY peace in the diaries of a woman who died investigate the disappearance of Gloria Out of the Red Shadow many years before she was born. HaJJ, an activist who is investigating slave Anne de Graaf labor conditions in China. To do so, he must Bethany House SUSPENSE oppose corporate greed, Chinese govern­ Final Witness ment officials and politicians who seek to Surviving repression by the Nazis of James Scott Bell gain from these gruesome practices. World War ll and Russian Stalinism, Poland Broadman & Holman is seeking renewed freedom through ROMANCE Solidarity. As Piotr Piekarz becomes Rachel Ybarra, a paralegal recently hired by A Touch of Betrayal involved in this dangerous movement, his the U.S. Attorney's Office, is assigned to Catherine Palmer nephew is drawn to Berlin by the promises work on a case against a member of the Tyndale House Publishers of Western materialism and his grandfather Russian mob. When the prime witness attempts to extricate himself from his cold­ is murdered, the suspense moves Alexandra Prescott plans a trip to Africa war identity as a spy. Their heritage of faith outside the courtroom and Rachel fmds but finds circumstances in the bush country is vital to healing the scars of their past. her own life in danger. *

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