As 2021 draws to a close, we at Rooted give praise to God for the number of outstanding books that were published throughout the past year. Anna Harris, Davis Lacey, and Tracy Yi are happy to highlight some of these books in this special episode of The Rooted Youth Ministry Podcast, in which we announce Rooted’s 2021 Book Award winners and honorable mentions in four unique categories:
Books for Teenagers, Parenting, Youth Ministry, and Challenging Life Issues.
The underlying connection between all these books is hope. This world is hard and painful, and teenagers, youth workers and parents face insurmountable challenges and heartache. Yet each of these books points us to the hope we have in Jesus, a hope that meets every need and overcomes every obstacle and redeems every painful trial.
Without further ado – here are the winners and honorable mentions of Rooted’s 2021 Book Awards. Happy reading!
Books for Teenagers Award Winners
Honorable Mentions
Brave, A Young Girl’s Guide to Beating Worry and Anxiety by Sissy Goff, Baker Publishing Group.
Surviving Religion 101: Letters to a Christian Student on Keeping the Faith in College by Michael Kruger, Crossway. (review on Rooted)
Winner
10 Questions Every Kid Should Ask (and Answer) about Christianity by Rebecca McLaughlin, Crossway. (Review on Rooted; companion book for adults Confronting Christianity reviewed here.)
Parenting Award Winners
Honorable Mentions
Prayers for a Parent series by Kathleen Nielsen: Young Children, Teens, Young Adults, Adult Children, P&R Publishing. (Rooted review here.)
Winner
Forming Resilient Children: The Role of Spiritual Formation for Healthy Development by Holly Catterton Allen, IVP.
Youth Ministry Award Winners
Honorable Mentions
Searching For Grace: A Weary Leader, A Wise Mentor, and Seven Healing Conversations for a Parched Soul by Scotty Smith and Russ Masterson, Tyndale Momentum.
Five Views on the Future of Youth Ministry: Perspectives on What Could or Should Be edited by Mark Ostreicher, Youth Cartel.
Winner
Lead Them to Jesus: A Handbook for Youth Workers by Mike McGarry, New Growth Press. (Rooted review here.)
Challenging Life Issues Award Winners
Honorable Mentions
Talking With Teens About Sexuality: Critical Conversations About Social Media, Gender Identity, Same-Sex Attraction, Pornography, Purity, Dating, Etc. by Beth Robinson and Latayne C. Scott.
What God Has to Say About Our Bodies: How the Gospel Is Good News for our Physical Selves by Sam Allberry, Crossway. (Rooted review here.)
Breaking Free From Body Shame: Dare to reclaim What God Has Named Good by Jess Connolly
Table for Two: Biblical Counsel for Eating Disorders by David and Krista Dunham, New Growth Press. (Rooted review here.)
Winner
A Small Book About Why We Hide: How Jesus Rescues Us From Insecurity, Regret, Failure and Shame by Ed Welch, New Growth Press.
One Final Highlight
Although we did not consider this book for any Rooted Award so as to avoid a conflict of interest, we’d be remiss not to highlight
The Jesus I Wish I Knew In High School
edited by Rooted’s own Charlotte Getz and Cameron Cole. Hear more from some of the book’s authors in this live interview panel.