Resources for Christian parents abound—but how are parents to comb through all the offerings in order to find books that will be truly helpful? Each year we read the newest selections on the market and award the most helpful ones our “best new book” designation. We also offer resources pages for parents, where you will find selections recommended by our staff and steering committee. We hope you enjoy this year’s books!
The 2025 Book Awards team includes Tim Franks, Rebecca Heck, Isaiah Marshall, Tracy Yi, and Rooted’s editorial team.
Honorable Mention
Beyond the Back Row: Rediscovering the Beauty of the Local Church for Your Family by Katie Polski (Christian Focus)
In Beyond the Back Row, Rooted contributor Katie Polski reminds parents of the value of active participation in the local church. She emphasizes both our need for involvement and the beauty of Christian community. As parents, we have all become so overwhelmed with busyness. We’ve forgotten what God calls us to do, to gather for in-person worship, for the good of our souls. We have all become accustomed to making excuses as to why we cannot be at church regularly. Being part of church, which requires attendance, has fallen to the bottom of our priorities.
Through personal stories grounded in biblical conviction, Katie gently and graciously challenges us to see the beauty and invaluable gift of being a part of the local church. In the church we see, share, and experience the living testimonies of fellow saints. Where else can you experience community like this? Only the church.
This book can be an incredible tool for young parents who need the gentle push to know that church attendance is more than convenience. Katie Polski offers a kind, yet unwavering voice to help struggling members recognize the blessings of plugging into a church community.
Honorable Mention
Scrolling Ourselves to Death: Reclaiming Life in a Digital Age Edited by Brett McCracken and Ivan Mesa (Crossway)
With a title inspired by Neil Postman’s classic Amusing Ourselves to Death, this book describes how the smart phone has completely reshaped us as human beings. This was a heavier read, challenging me to pause and think about my own habits and behaviors as a mom. (As a result, I found it helpful to engage in both audio and in print.) But the 13 contributors of this book do not leave us with the doom of our digital age. Instead, they repeatedly remind us that our times and devices do not surprise Jesus. As his Church, we need to lean into the person of Christ. We need to see that he can redeem this new digital age for his glory.
One of the contributors writes: “Part of the reason contemporary people have become comfortable with contradiction is that they’ve been shaped by a scrolling world in which discontinuity reigns” (p.110). As a parent of three school age children, the present direction of the digital age is so alarming. I was thankful that each chapter closes with an encouraging word and thoughtful questions that were helpful in processing the information shared. The salutation is not less Jesus but more.
This book is an important read with great insight for parents who are ready to think deeply about our smart phone-saturated world. The authors equip and empower us to grow our dependency on Jesus. The book is also a must-read for youth leaders, and potentially a book to read with older youth students.
Winner
Mothering Against Futility: Balancing Meaning and Mundanity in the Fear of the LordBy Simona Gorton (Christian Focus)
As a mom of three children, ages spanning from 9 to 14 years, I am navigating three personalities, three different stages of school, and all the other unique obstacles that everyday brings. Most people would agree that being a parent comes with its fair share of challenges. The disappointment of failing as a parent…yet again…is all too familiar. In short, parenting—mothering—is hard.
The author, Simona Gorton, understands the ups and the really low downs that mothers often face while raising children. Gorton vulnerably expresses her wrestling with finding purpose in the daily routines and tasks we have as parents. However, she does not leave us with only her complaints and stories. Instead, she takes us back to Scripture and beautifully guides us through meditations from the book of Ecclesiastes. Gorton reminds us that when we feel insignificant and unseen in motherhood, God sees us. He is using what feels like mundane and trivial tasks to mold us and shape us into a beautiful reflection of Jesus. From the very beginning of her book, in the introduction, Gorton writes:
“In the calling of motherhood, God transforms our sight and opens our eyes to the gospel dichotomies of weakness as strength, smallness as glory, inefficiency as faithfulness. Our lives and actions as mothers, surrendered to Him like loaves and fishes, can become stunning show pieces of gospel hope, glimpses of eternal hilarity” (p. 5).
I pray that as you read this book, the Lord will encourage you by using the daily menial tasks you take care of every single day to shape you into “stunning show pieces of gospel hope.” Our daily tasks are not meaningless. They are avenues in which the Lord can use to show his gospel hope through you.
Looking for more Gospel-centered book resources? Check out the list of Rooted’s own publications, especially the new book Teenagers and Mental Health: A Handbook for Parents, Pastors, and Youth Leaders by Danny Kwon and Monica Kim!
