A reference to the genre offering "a surprisingly empowering guide to adolescence" concludes an article in Slate, which notes the rise of the category with more than 2 million copies of the "Christy Miller" and "Sierra Jensen" series.

Christian Retailing's Virtual Christian Retailing Show will run July 1-Sept. 6 and help stores set themselves for the fall and Christmas seasons with product news, order specials and training. It will be the magazine's fourth virtual trade event since debuting the innovative program following last year's ICRS.

The 1.2% decline in May sales was the largest decline since sales had fallen 2.2% in September. Auto sales were down 1.7%, and there was weakness in a number of areas, the Associated Press (AP) reported. Department store sales fell 1.8%, while sales in the broader category of general merchandise stores, which includes big retailers such as Wal-Mart, fell 1.1%.

Beginning his Christian music career in 1971, Drury spent 34 years with Word Entertainment. "I'm thrilled to be working with the Go Fish guys in this new capacity," he said. "I fully believe in their mission of reaching kids for Christ."

Go Fish's Backstage With The Bible: A Vacation Bible School Experience curriculum has been used in more than 1,000 churches in the United States and Canada. Go Fish's newest album, Kickin' It Old School, is slated to be released in August.

In Max Lucado's Hermie & Friends: Who is in Charge Anyway?, which offers a lesson in growing up with God, members of the garden gang talk about their favorite memories--including Antonio recounting the Garden Olympics and Flo confessing that she used to be shy and introverted.

Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy's In a Heartbeat: Sharing the Power of Joyful Giving explains how their belief in generosity led them--a white couple--to adopt black teenager Michael Oher, who went on to become a successful NFL player.