Christopher Award
The Christopher Award (established 1949) is presented to the producers, directors, and writers of books, films and television specials that "affirm the highest values of the human spirit".[1] It is given by The Christophers, a Christian organization founded in 1945 by the Maryknoll priest James Keller.
The 2016 Christopher Awards were announced on March 30, 2016, and were presented in a ceremony in New York City on May 19.[2]
Judging process
Publishers, TV networks, and film directors are asked to submit titles and work that they believe to be award-worthy. Industry professionals and Christopher staff members make the final selections based on:
- Artistic and technical proficiency
- Significant degree of public acceptance
- Affirmation of the highest values of the human spirit
Categories
- Christopher Leadership Awards
- Christopher Life Achievement Award
- Christopher Spirit Award
- James Keller Award
- Books for Adults
- Books for Young People
- Feature Films
- Television & Cable
Selection of previous winners/honorees
Christopher Leadership Awards
- 2011 Scotty Smiley[3]
- 2008 Cardinal John Patrick Foley
- 2005 Sargent Shriver
- 2004 Father John T. Catoir
- 2002 Rudy Giuliani
Christopher Life Achievement Award
- 2018 Ken Burns[4]
- 2016 Ernie Anastos[5]
- 2012 Mother Dolores Hart[6]
- 2008 David McCullough
- 2006 Dave Brubeck
- 2005 Robert Coles
- 2004 Art Linkletter
- 2003 Mary Higgins Clark
Christopher Spirit Award
James Keller Award
- 2012 Marty Lyons[7]
- 2011 Shannon Hickey[8]
- 2005 Pat LaFontaine
- 2004 Caroll Spinney
Books for Adults
2016[2]
- Five Years in Heaven: The Unlikely Friendship That Answered Life’s Greatest Questions by John Schlimm (Image Books/Crown Publishing)
- The Gift of Caring: Saving Our Parents from the Perils of Modern Healthcare by Marcy Cottrell Houle and Elizabeth Eckstrom (Taylor Trade Publishing/Rowan & Littlefield)
- One Righteous Man: Samuel Battle and the Shattering of the Color Line in New York by Arthur Browne (Beacon Press)
- Tough As They Come by Travis Mills with Marcus Brotherton (Convergent Books/Crown Publishing)
- Under the Same Sky: From Starvation in North Korea to Salvation in America by Joseph Kim with Stephan Talty (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
- The Wind in the Reeds: A Storm, a Play, and the City That Would Not Be Broken by Wendell Pierce (Riverhead Books/Random House)
2015
- The Invisible Front: Love and Loss in an Era of Endless War by Yochi Dreazen (Crown Publishers).
2014[9]
- American Story: A Lifetime Search for Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things by Bob Dotson (Viking Press/Penguin Group)
- Love and Salt: A Spiritual Friendship Shared in Letters by Amy Andrews and Jessica Mesman Griffith (Loyola Press)
- The Miracle of Father Kapaun: Priest, Soldier, and Korean War Hero by Roy Wenzl and Travis Heying (Ignatius Press)
- On These Courts: A Miracle Season That Changed a City, a Once-Future Star, and a Team Forever by Wayne B. Drash (Touchstone Books/Simon and Schuster)
- Walk In Their Shoes: Can One Person Change the World? by Jim Ziolkowski with James S. Hirsch (Simon and Schuster)
2013
- Carly’s Voice by Arthur Fleischmann and Carly Fleischmann
- Fearless by Eric Blehm
- A Good Man by Mark Shriver
- My Sisters the Saints by Colleen Carroll Campbell
- Road to Valor by Aili and Andres McConnon
2012
- A Good and Perfect Gift by Julia Becker
- An Invisible Thread by Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski
- I Shall Not Hate by Izzeldin Abuelaish
- Kisses from Katie by Katie Davis and Beth Clark
- Little Princes by Conor Grennan
2011
- Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas
- The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything by James Martin
- Thea's Song: The Life of Thea Bowman by Charlene Smith and John Feister
- Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand
- Washington: A Life by Ron Chernow
2010
- A. Lincoln: A Biography by Ronald C. White, Jr.
- Stones into Schools by Greg Mortenson
- Strength in What Remains by Tracy Kidder
- Wrestling with Moses: How Jane Jacobs Took on New York's Master Builder and Transformed the American City by Anthony Flint
2009
- Alex & Me by Irene Pepperberg
- American-Made—The Enduring Legacy of the WPA: When FDR Put the Nation to Work by Nick Taylor
- Final Salute: A Story of Unfinished Lives by Jim Sheeler
- Founding Faith: Providence, Politics, and the Birth of Religious Freedom in America by Steven Waldman
- The Soloist: A Lost Dream, an Unlikely Friendship, and the Redemptive Power of Music by Steve Lopez
- Until Our Last Breath: A Holocaust Story of Love and Partisan Resistance by Michael Bart and Laurel Corona
2008
- Brother, I'm Dying by Edwidge Danticat
- The Florist's Daughter by Patricia Hempl
- The Invisible Wall: A Love Story That Broke Barriers by Harry Bernstein
- The Lonely Patient: How We Experience Illness by Michael Stein, M.D.
- A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah
- A Slave No More: Two Men Who Escaped to Freedom by David W. Blight
2007
- Barefootin': Life Lessons from the Road to Freedom by Unita Blackwell with JoAnne Prichard Morris
- Enrique's Journey by Sonia Nazario
- The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief by Francis Collins
- Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust by Immaculée Ilibagiza with Steve Erwin
- The Lemon Tree: An Arab, a Jew, and the Heart of the Middle East by Sandy Tolan
- My Life with the Saints by James Martin
2006
- The Death of Innocents: An Eyewitness Account of Wrongful Executions by Sister Helen Prejean
- The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
- One Soldier's Story: A Memoir by Bob Dole
- The Prison Angel: Mother Antonia’s Journey from Beverly Hills to a Life of Service in a Mexican Jail by Mary Jordan & Kevin Sullivan
- They Poured Fire on Us From the Sky by Benson Deng, Alephonsion Deng & Benjamin Ajak, with Judy A. Bernstein
2005
- Anatomy of Hope by Jerome Groopman, M.D.
- Blood Done Sign My Name by Timothy Tyson
- The Freedom Line by Peter Eisner
- I Am a Pencil: A Teacher, His Kids, and Their World of Stories by Sam Swope
- Love in the Driest Season: A Family Memoir by Neely Tucker
- Mao's Last Dancer: A Memoir by Li Cunxin
2004
- A Human Being Died That Night by Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela
- If I Get to Five by Fred Epstein, M.D., & Joshua Horwitz
- The Life You Save May Be Your Own: An American Pilgrimage by Paul Elie
- My Heart Will Cross This Ocean: My Story, My Son, Amadou by Kadiatou Diallo & Craig Wolff
- My Path Leads to Tibet by Sabriye Tenberken
- Sisters: Catholic Nuns and the Making of America by John J. Fialka
- Triangle: The Fire That Changed America by David Von Drehle
2003
- Choosing Naia: A Family’s Journey by Mitchell Zuckoff
- The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland by Jim DeFede
- Fatal Passage: The Story of John Rae, The Arctic Hero Time Forgot by Ken McGoogan
- Five Past Midnight in Bhopal by Dominique Lapierre & Javier Moro
- Jim's Last Summer: Lessons on Living from a Dying Priest by Teresa Rhodes McGee
- Standing on Holy Ground: A Triumph Over Hate Crime in the Deep South by Sandra E. Johnson
2002
- Aging with Grace by David Snowdon, PhD
- Choosing Mercy by Antoinette Bosco
- Freedom's Daughters by Lynne Olson
- An Hour Before Daylight by Jimmy Carter
- John Adams by David McCullough
- Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich
2001[10]
- Aging with Grace, by David Snowdon, PhD (Bantam Books)
- Choosing Mercy, by Antoinette Bosco (Orbis Books)
- Freedom's Daughters, by Lynne Olson (Scribner)
- An Hour Before Daylight, by Jimmy Carter (Simon & Schuster)
- John Adams, by David McCullough (Simon & Schuster)
- Nickel and Dimed, by Barbara Ehrenreich (Metropolitan Books/Henry Holt and Company, LLC)
1987
Books for Young People
2016[2]
- Preschool and up: One Good Deed by Terri Fields, illustrated by Deborah Melmon (Kar-Ben Publishing)
- Kindergarten and up: An Invisible Thread Christmas Story by Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski, illustrated by Barry Root (Little Simon/Simon & Schuster)
- Ages 6 and up: Poet: The Remarkable Story of George Moses Horton by Don Tate (Peachtree Publishers)
- Ages 8 and up: Katie’s Cabbage by Katie Stagliano with Michelle H. Martin, illustrated by Karen Heid (Young Palmetto Books/University of South Carolina Press)
- Ages 10 and up: Firefly Hollow by Alison McGhee, illustrated by Christopher Denise (Atheneum Books for Young Readers/Simon & Schuster)
- Young Adult: Paper Hearts by Meg Wiviott (Margaret K. McElderry Books/Simon & Schuster)
2014[9]
- Preschool and up: Maya Was Grumpy written and illustrated by Courtney Pippin-Mathur (Flashlight Press)
- Kindergarten and up: Year of the Jungle: Memories from the Home Front by Suzanne Collins, illustrated by James Proimos (Scholastic Press)
- Ages 6 and up: The Matchbox Diary by Paul Fleischman, illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline (Candlewick Press)
- Ages 8 and up: Flora & Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by K.G. Campbell (Candlewick Press)
- Ages 10 and up: The Boy On the Wooden Box by Leon Leyson with Marilyn J. Harran and Elisabeth B. Leyson (Atheneum Books for Young Readers/Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing)
2013
- Forever You: A Book About Your Soul and Body by Nicole Lataif with illustrations by Mary Rojas
- The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by William Joyce with illustrations by Joe Bluhm
- The House on Dirty-Third Street by Jo S. Kittinger with illustrations by Thomas Gonzalez
- The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate with illustrations by Patricia Castelao
- Wonder by R.J. Palacio
- Outcasts United by Warren St. John
2012
- Shine: Choices to Make God Smile by Genny Monchamp with illustrations by Karol Kaminski
- Waiting for the Biblioburro by Monica Brown with illustrations by John Parra
- You Can Be a Friend by Tony Dungy and Lauren Dungy with illustrations by Ron Mazellan
- Hooper Finds a Family by Jane Paley
- Words in the Dust by Trent Reedy
- Close to Famous by Joan Bauer
2011
- Knuffle Bunny Free: An Unexpected Diversion by Mo Willems
- Would You Still Love Me If... by Wendy LaGuardia with illustrations by Patricia Keeler
- Brother Jerome and the Angels in the Bakery by Father Dominic Garramone
- Lafayette and the American Revolution by Russell Freedman
2010
- Preschool: Ten Days and Nine Nights: An Adoption Story by Yumi Heo
- Ages 6–8: Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine & a Miracle by Major Brian Dennis, Kirby Larson, & Mary Nethery
- Ages 8–10: Most Loved in All the World by Tonya Cherie Hegamin with illustrations by Cozbi A. Cabrera
- Ages 10–12: Extra Credit by Andrew Clements with illustrations by Mark Elliott
- Young Adult: A Pearl in the Storm: How I Found My Heart in the Middle of the Ocean by Tori Murden
2009
- Preschool: Close to You: How Animals Bond by Kimiko Kajikawa
- Ages 6–8: That Book Woman by Heather Henson with illustrations by David Small
- Ages 8–10: Clementine's Letter by Sara Pennypacker with illustrations by Marla Frazee
- Ages 10–12: Shooting the Moon by Frances O’Roark Dowell
- Young Adult: Sunrise Over Fallujah by Walter Dean Myers
2008
- Preschool: Taking a Bath with the Dog and Other Things That Make Me Happy by Scott Menchin
- Ages 6–8: How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin? by Margaret McNamara with illustrations by G. Brian Karas
- Ages 8–10: Owen & Mzee: The Language of Friendship by Isabella Hatkoff, Craig Hatkoff, and Dr. Paula Kahumbu with photographs by Peter Greste
- Ages 10–12: The Wild Girls by Pat Murphy
- Young Adult: Diamonds in the Shadow by Caroline B. Cooney
2007
- Preschool: Hero Cat by Eileen Spinelli with illustrations by Jo Ellen McAllister Stammen
- Ages 6–8: How We Are Smart by W. Nikola-Lisa with illustrations by Sean Qualls
- Ages 8–10: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo with illustrations by Bagram Ibatoulline
- Ages 10–12: Listen! by Stephanie S. Tolan
- Young Adult: Bread and Roses, Too by Katherine Paterson
2006
- Preschool: Am I a Color Too? by Heidi Cole & Nancy Vogl with illustrations by Gerald Purnell (Preschool)
- Ages 6–8: I Could Do That! Esther Morris Gets Women the Vote by Linda Arms White with illustrations by Nancy Carpenter
- Ages 8–10: Game Day by Tiki Barber and Ronde Barber with Robert Burleigh, illustrations by Barry Root
- Ages 10–12: Friendship According to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney
- Young Adult: Hitch by Jeanette Ingold
2005
- Preschool: Never, Ever Shout in a Zoo by Karma Wilson with illustrations by Doug Cushman
- Ages 6–8: The Hungry Coat: A Tale from Turkey written and illustrated by Demi
- Ages 8–10: Shredderman: Secret Identity by Wendelin Van Draanen with illustrations by Brian Biggs
- Ages 10–12: The Teacher's Funeral: A Comedy in Three Parts by Richard Peck
- Young Adult: Thura’s Diary: My Life in Wartime Iraq by Thura Al Windawi
2004
- Preschool: Little Bear’s Little Boat by Eve Bunting with illustrations by Nancy Carpenter
- Ages 6–8: The Dot written and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
- Ages 8–10: Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez by Kathleen Krull with illustrations by Yuyi Morales
- Ages 10–12: Iqbal by Francesco D’Adamo
- Young Adult: The Silent Boy by Lois Lowry
2003
- People Mole and the Baby Bird by Marjorie Newman with illustrations by Patrick Benson
- Ages 6–8: Dear Mrs. Larue: Letters from Obedience School written and illustrated by Mark Teague
- Ages 8–10: The Ugly Princess and the Wise Fool by Margaret Gray with illustrations by Randy Cecil
- Ages 10–12: Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff
- Young Adult: Left for Dead by Pete Nelson
2002
- Kiss Good Night by Amy Hest with illustrations by Anita Jeram
- Ages 6–8: Beatrice's Goat by Page McBrier with illustrations by Lori Lohstoeter
- Ages 8–10: Love That Dog by Sharon Creech
- Ages 10–12: Uncle Daddy by Ralph Fletcher
- Young Adult: Soldier X by Don L. Wulffson and Witness by Karen Hesse
2001[10]
- Ages 6–8: How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night? by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Mark Teague (The Blue Sky Press/Scholastic Inc.)
- Ages 9–10: The Mousery by Charlotte Pomerantz, illustrated by Kurt Cyrus (Gulliver Books/Harcourt, Inc.)
- Ages 11–12: The Yellow Star by Carmen Agra Deedy, illustrated by Henri Sørensen (Peachtree Publishers, Ltd.)
- Ages 11–12: Hope Was Here by Joan Bauer (G. P. Putnam's Sons)
- Young Adult: The Wanderer by Sharon Creech (Joanna Cotler Books/HarperCollins Publishers)
Feature films
2019[12]
2018[13]
2017[14]
2016[2] 2015[15]
2014[9]
2013
2012 2011 2010 2009 2008
|
2007
2006
2005 2004
2003 About a Boy
2002 2001[10]
1953
|
Television and Cable
2016[2]
- ABC News 20/20: Escaping ISIS (ABC News)
- America ReFramed: If You Build It (World Channel/PBS)
- Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors (NBC)
- The Jim Gaffigan Show: My Friend the Priest (TV Land)
- Tashi and the Monk (HBO)
References
- The Christopher Awards Archived October 15, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, The Christophers, Inc. Retrieved May 26, 2011.
- The 67th annual Christopher Awards Archived July 11, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, The Christophers, Inc. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
- "The Christopher's page on Scotty Smiley". Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved September 23, 2012.
- Christopher Award Winner
- The 67th annual Christopher Awards Special Awards Archived June 9, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, The Christophers, Inc. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
- "The Christopher's page on Dolores Hart". Archived from the original on June 20, 2012. Retrieved September 23, 2012.
- "The Christopher's page on Marty Lyons". Archived from the original on August 20, 2014. Retrieved September 23, 2012.
- "The Christopher's page on Shannon Hickey". Archived from the original on March 29, 2012. Retrieved September 23, 2012.
- "Heroism, Hope and Selflessness Highlighted in 65th Annual Christopher Award Winners" Archived August 11, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. Release April 2, 2014. The Christophers. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
- "The 52nd Annual Christopher Award Winners" Archived August 11, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. The Christophers (christophers.org). Retrieved July 25, 2014.
- SFGate: Burlingame Schools Pull 8th Grade Book From Class
- https://thechristophersblog.org/2019/04/09/the-2019-christopher-award-winners-are/
- https://orethapedia.com/2018/04/22/the-2018-christopher-awards-winners/
- https://www.patheos.com/blogs/christophers/2017/03/2017-christopher-award-winners-tv-film-books/
- https://www.patheos.com/blogs/christophers/2015/04/the-2015-christopher-award-winners-in-film-tv-and-books-are/