VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 3/22/11)—Autism & Alleluias by Kathleen Deyer Bolduc and Tending to Eden: Environmental Stewardship for God’s People by Scott Sabin have each been named finalists for ForeWord Review’s 2010 Book of the Year Awards. Representing more than 350 publishers, these two Judson Press finalists were selected from 1400 entries in 56 categories.
Named a finalist in the Family & Relationships category, Autism & Alleluias has received endorsements from the likes of Jean Vanier of L’Arche Communities, Bill Gaventa, editor of the Journal of Religion, Disability and Health, and Ginny Thornburgh of the American Association of People with Disabilities. Fellow parents have also praised and identified with author Kathy Bolduc’s honest and heartfelt account of life with an autistic child.
Tending to Eden received its finalist distinction in the Environment category. Author Scott Sabin, executive director of the nonprofit Christian relief and development agency Plant With Purpose, combines stories of his experiences with practical tools to engage and inspire the reader. Foreword writer Brian McLaren found, “After reading this very readable book with its powerful storytelling and its accessible survey of best practices in creation care, for the rest of your life you will see a bigger picture than you’ve ever seen before when it comes to matters of human poverty, health, prosperity, and security.”
Publisher Laura Alden praises both authors for their accomplishments. “What I love about both Kathy Bolduc and Scott Sabin is the passion and heart that they bring to their ministries and, as a result, their writing. Autism & Alleluias touches the reader with Kathy’s courageous, loving, and often humorous stories of life with her son Joel, and in Tending to Eden, Scott transports us to places in ecological crisis in the U.S, in Haiti, and other counties so we’re able to identify with the harsh realities and opportunities in these struggling and oppressed communities.”
Since 1998, ForeWord Reviews has been one of the publishing industry’s most respected print magazine and online review services for readers, booksellers, book buyers, publishing insiders, and librarians. The Book of the Year Awards program was created to spotlight distinctive books from independent publishers. ForeWord’s website notes: “What sets the awards apart from others is that final selections are made by real judges—working librarians and booksellers—based on their experiences with patrons and customers.” The winners will be determined by a panel of librarians and booksellers selected from ForeWord’s readership. Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners, as well as Editor’s Choice Prizes for Fiction and Nonfiction will be announced at a special program at the ALA Annual Conference in New Orleans this June.
Founded in 1824, Judson Press—a publishing ministry of the American Baptist Home Mission Societies, American Baptist Churches USA—produces Christ-centered leadership resources for the transformation of persons, congregations, communities, and cultures. Judson Press books can be ordered by calling 800-458-3766 or visiting www.judsonpress.com.
American Baptist Churches is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with 5,500 local congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.