Children/Teen Chapter Books
Introducing Book #3 in The Adventures of Nick & Sam!
The Perry family's first Advent in Hope Springs is a mix of drama and comedy as Sam competes with her best friend to be in the Christmas pageant, Nick hopes to play an angel that actually flies, the search for a Christmas tree leads to danger, and family traditions take on a whole new meaning of joy.
It's a time of fun, learning, and wonder that might become the Perry family's best Advent ever.
Nicolas (Nick) and Samantha (Sam) Perry are twins. They moved with their parents, their brother Andrew, and their sister Lizzy, to the Colorado town of Hope Springs. The likeable and engaging characters reflect the sensibilities and struggles of being Catholic in the quirky small town of Hope Springs, and in the many adventures that make the teachings of the Church come alive.
In Trouble with Lent, the fourth book of the Adventures of Nick and Sam, the Perry twins are celebrating Lent at school, at church, and with their family. The family discusses what they will be giving up for Lent, and Nick and Sam experience some struggles with their choices throughout the Lenten season. A new boy, Riley, comes into their class who is obsessed with Big Foot, and he and Nick get into some strange adventures seeking the famous creature. Sam enters the school spelling bee, and she struggles with temptation when someone tries to help her cheat. The kids learn about temptations, sacrifices, poverty, and the love of Jesus along the way. The chapters follow along the calendar for the season of Lent and lead right into the joy of Easter Sunday.
Ages 6 and up.
Nicolas (Nick) and Samantha (Sam) Perry are twins. They moved with their parents, their brother Andrew, and their sister Lizzy, to the Colorado town of Hope Springs. The likeable and engaging characters reflect the sensibilities and struggles of being Catholic in the quirky small town of Hope Springs, and in the many adventures that make the teachings of the Church come alive.
In A World of Wonder, the fifth book in the Adventures of Nick and Sam series, the Perry twins take part in the Great Easter Monday Snowball Battle, learn of an amazing mystery revealed in a church fire, and become the subject of a science project. These experiences teach Nick and Sam that God, like the world he created, is mysterious and wonderful.
Nicolas (Nick) and Samantha (Sam) Perry are twins. They moved with their parents, their brother Andrew, and their sister Lizzy, to the Colorado town of Hope Springs. The likeable and engaging characters reflect the sensibilities and struggles of being Catholic in the quirky small town of Hope Springs, and in the many adventures that make the teachings of the Church come alive.
In View from the Top, the sixth book of The Adventures of Nick & Sam series, the Perry twins are looking forward to summer. As the school year comes to an end, Nick and Sam are already caught up in new beginnings. Not only are they packing for a move, but Nick begins to wonder if he's good at anything and Sam struggles to help two people she loves through their troubles. Together, the twins discover that how they deal with inflatable castles, bad throws, and difficult decisions often depends on having the right point of view. It's a lesson for everyone in this exciting and fun-filled story.
Ages 6 and up.
Cover art by Chris Pelicano
This book is now part of Renaissance Learning's Accelerated Reader program. Quizzes are currently available.
Age Range: 8 and up
The might of Islam threatened his world.
It's the year 1570. Fourteen-year-old Guido Callatta, son of a wealthy Venetian merchant, spends his free time roaming the docks, listening to the tales of gnarled old sailors, and dreaming of adventures at sea.
But his carefree life is about to change forever. Armies of Ottoman Turks threaten Europe from all sides, conquering Christian towns and forcing their people to convert. Moslem corsairs raid the coastlines at will.
Guido even hears talk of a massive Turkish fleet preparing to sail from the East, bent on destroying Europe's forces once and for all. The Ottoman Sultan even boasts that he will set the crescent moon of Allah over the dome of St. Peter's -- a crescent stained red with the blood of Christians.
When Pope Pius V calls for the creation of a Holy League of men and ships to face down the Moslem armada, Guido vows to join the fight: for his family, for his city, for his Faith.
And although his father tells him he's too young for war, soon he's caught up in a whirlwind of knights and nobles, bloody battles and arduous journeys. Finally, Guido finds himself alongside Don John of Austria, who will lead the Holy League in its last desperate fight to save Christian Europe: the legendary Battle of Lepanto.
In this historical tale of Catholic heroism, courage, and holiness, readers of all ages will be reminded that when the Faith is threatened, extraordinary valor may be demanded of any one of us -- even the very young.
The might of Islam threatened his world.
It’s the year 1570. Fourteen-year-old Guido Callatta, son of a wealthy Venetian merchant, spends his free time roaming the docks, listening to the tales of gnarled old sailors, and dreaming of adventures at sea.
But his carefree life is about to change forever. Armies of Ottoman Turks threaten Europe from all sides, conquering Christian towns and forcing their people to convert. Moslem corsairs raid the coastlines at will.
Guido even hears talk of a massive Turkish fleet preparing to sail from the East, bent on destroying Europe’s forces once and for all. The Ottoman Sultan even boasts that he will set the crescent moon of Allah over the dome of St. Peter’s — a crescent stained red with the blood of Christians.
When Pope Pius V calls for the creation of a Holy League of men and ships to face down the Moslem armada, Guido vows to join the fight: for his family, for his city, for his Faith.
And although his father tells him he’s too young for war, soon he’s caught up in a whirlwind of knights and nobles, bloody battles and arduous journeys. Finally, Guido finds himself alongside Don John of Austria, who will lead the Holy League in its last desperate fight to save Christian Europe: the legendary Battle of Lepanto.
In this historical tale of Catholic heroism, courage, and holiness, readers of all ages will be reminded that when the Faith is threatened, extraordinary valor may be demanded of any one of us — even the very young.
Ages 8 and up. 196 pages.
Brave Leader, Big Heart invites young readers to meet the amazing saint John Henry Newman. He was a happy child, a thoughtful young man, a warm friend, and an affectionate brother. Through his writing, he helped start a movement which would change lives. As a Catholic priest, his courage and warmth led many to seek his guidance. Although he is now with the angels and saints in heaven today, the story of his life and the impact he made still speaks to hearts, young and old, today.
Dive deeper into the world of Narnia with your family, classroom, or small group with A Catholic Guide to Narnia: Questions and Activities for The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe!
Explore the rich Christian symbolism that can be uncovered through engaging discussion questions, activities, and references to Scripture and The Catechism of the Catholic Church. To help Catholics appreciate this C.S. Lewis masterpiece, A Catholic Guide to Narnia can be used with both the book and movie versions of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
Families, individuals, and small groups will not only gain a more profound understanding of the amazing world of Narnia, they will also grow in their appreciation of and love for the Catholic Faith. A Catholic Guide to Narnia: Questions and Activities for The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe includes:
100 fun and interesting questions and answers on the story’s content
Over 20 activities for families, small groups, or individuals
Discussion questions to engage in the content
Bible and Catechism references to see how it is connected to the Catholic Faith
"For Further Exploration” sections with suggestions on how to discover more about the themes discussed
Hurtled into the Wood between the Worlds, the children soon find that they can enter many worlds through the mysterious pools there. In one world they encounter the evil Queen Jadis, who wreaks havoc in the streets of London when she is accidentally brought back with them. When they finally manage to pull her out of London, unintentionally taking along Uncle Andrew and a coachman with his horse, they find themselves in what will come to be known as the land of Narnia.
A mass-market paperback edition of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, book two in the classic fantasy series The Chronicles of Narnia. This edition features cover art by Cliff Nielsen and interior black-and-white illustrations by the series' original illustrator, Pauline Baynes.
Four adventurous siblings—Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy Pevensie—step through a wardrobe door and into the land of Narnia, a land frozen in eternal winter and enslaved by the power of the White Witch. But when almost all hope is lost, the return of the Great Lion, Aslan, signals a great change . . . and a great sacrifice.
And so begins their hazardous journey, fraught with mystery and danger. Calormen's capital city of Tashbaan must be crossed, a harsh desert endured, the high mountains of Archenland climbed, their enemies overcome. For the young Shasta it is an adventure beyond his wildest dreams and one destined to change his life forever.
This acclaimed BBC Radio dramatization perfectly captures C.S. Lewis' magical world, inviting us to "breathe" the sweet air of Narnia once again and to join the mighty Aslan and his people in defending its most precious borders.
A full-color paperback edition of The Silver Chair, book six in the classic fantasy series, The Chronicles of Narnia. This edition is complete with full-color cover and interior art by the original illustrator, Pauline Baynes.
Through dangers untold and caverns deep and dark, a noble band of friends is sent to rescue a prince held captive. But their mission to Underland brings them face-to-face with an evil more beautiful and more deadly than they ever expected.
Enter a land where enchantment rules in The Silver Chair, the sixth book in C. S. Lewis's classic fantasy series. For over sixty years it has been drawing readers of all ages into a magical land with unforgettable characters. This is a complete stand-alone read, but if you want to discover what happens in the final days of Narnia, read The Last Battle, the seventh and concluding book in The Chronicles of Narnia.
A full-color paperback edition of Prince Caspian, book four in the classic fantasy series The Chronicles of Narnia. This edition is complete with full-color cover and interior art by the original illustrator, Pauline Baynes.
The Pevensie siblings are back to help a prince denied his rightful throne as he gathers an army in a desperate attempt to rid his land of a false king. But in the end, it is a battle of honor between two men alone that will decide the fate of an entire world.
A battle is about to begin in Prince Caspian, the fourth book in C. S. Lewis's classic fantasy series, which has been enchanting readers of all ages for over sixty years. This is a stand-alone novel, but if you would like to see more of Prince Caspian's adventures, read The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, the fifth book in The Chronicles of Narnia.
A full-color paperback edition of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, book five in the classic fantasy series, The Chronicles of Narnia. This edition is complete with full-color cover and interior art by the original illustrator of Narnia, Pauline Baynes.
A king and some unexpected companions embark on a voyage that will take them beyond all known lands. As they sail farther and farther from charted waters, they discover that their quest is more than they imagined and that the world's end is only the beginning.
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is the fifth book in C. S. Lewis's classic fantasy series, which has been drawing readers of all ages into a magical land with unforgettable characters for over sixty years. This is a novel that stands on its own, but if you would like to continue to the journey, read The Silver Chair, the sixth book in The Chronicles of Narnia.
Catholic children's book discussing the sacrament of Holy Communion. This engaging story of a young child about to receive their First Holy Communion is sure to delight any elementary age child. Children and parents alike will love this book because it teaches the faith using the most powerful teaching method around, story-telling.
This historical novel for young people is about the heroic life of Father Willie Doyle, S.J., an Irish Jesuit priest who sacrificed his life serving wounded soldiers in World War I.
Father Doyle enjoyed a happy, privileged Victorian childhood in Ireland. Growing up in a loving, faithful Catholic family, he heard the call to serve God as a priest from a very young age. Shortly after his ordination, the First World War broke out, and Father Willie volunteered to serve as a chaplain to the thousands of Irish soldiers fighting in France.
This joyful, holy, brave, and compassionate priest left the country he loved and ministered to soldiers in the hell of the trenches, dodging bullets and bombs to ensure that dying soldiers could receive the sacraments. By the time he was killed trying to help a wounded soldier, Father Willie had become greatly loved and esteemed by both Catholics and Protestants fighting in the war.
The cause for the canonization of Father Willie Doyle has recently been opened in Rome.
This historical novel for young people is about the heroic life of Father Willie Doyle, S.J., an Irish Jesuit priest who sacrificed his life serving wounded soldiers in World War I.
Father Doyle enjoyed a happy, privileged Victorian childhood in Ireland. Growing up in a loving, faithful Catholic family, he heard the call to serve God as a priest from a very young age. Shortly after his ordination, the First World War broke out, and Father Willie volunteered to serve as a chaplain to the thousands of Irish soldiers fighting in France.
This joyful, holy, brave, and compassionate priest left the country he loved and ministered to soldiers in the hell of the trenches, dodging bullets and bombs to ensure that dying soldiers could receive the sacraments. By the time he was killed trying to help a wounded soldier, Father Willie had become greatly loved and esteemed by both Catholics and Protestants fighting in the war.
The cause for the canonization of Father Willie Doyle has recently been opened in Rome.
From the famous Vision Books series of lives of saints for young people, this is the inspiring dramatic account of the colorful and courageous life and death of the martyr, St. Edmund Campion, "hero of God's underground" during the persecutions of the Catholics in England in the 1500s.
Campion, the most celebrated young scholar of his day, was on his way to becoming the Archbishop of Canterbury until a crisis of conscience turned him back to his Catholic faith. He fled England, became a Jesuit priest, and was sent back to be the leader of the underground ministry to the persecuted Catholics until, after a long and frustrated search, the government finally captured him and brutally executed him. His daring and brilliant underground ministry to Catholics all over England, his zeal for the faith, and his great courage and joy in the face of martyrdom are all related in this compelling story for youth.
Cover art by Chris Pelicano
From the famous Vision Books series of lives of saints for young people, this is the inspiring dramatic account of the colorful and courageous life and death of the martyr, St. Edmund Campion, "hero of God's underground" during the persecutions of the Catholics in England in the 1500s.
Campion, the most celebrated young scholar of his day, was on his way to becoming the Archbishop of Canterbury until a crisis of conscience turned him back to his Catholic faith. He fled England, became a Jesuit priest, and was sent back to be the leader of the underground ministry to the persecuted Catholics until, after a long and frustrated search, the government finally captured him and brutally executed him. His daring and brilliant underground ministry to Catholics all over England, his zeal for the faith, and his great courage and joy in the face of martyrdom are all related in this compelling story for youth. AGES 9-12
Cover art by Chris Pelicano
Of the few who had dared explore this immense waterway, none had lived to return and report where it emptied. If he could travel to the mouth of the "great river", Fr. Marquette hoped to obtain new lands for France and new souls for Jesus Christ. He braved the dangers of tomahawks and tortures to bring the Word of God to the Indians of the New World. Rapids, floods, Indian superstitions, tribal warfare - these are only a few of the obstacles Father Marquette and Louis Joliet encountered in trying to meet their challenge. Illustrated.
Cover art by Chris Pelicano
This Vision book for youth 9 - 15 years old tells the thrilling story of one of America's greatest missionaries who came down from Canada with explorer Louis Joliet to explore the mighty Mississippi River, the "great river" bordered by Indian tribes who killed white men on sight.
Of the few who had dared explore this immense waterway, none had lived to return and report where it emptied. If he could travel to the mouth of the "great river", Fr. Marquette hoped to obtain new lands for France and new souls for Jesus Christ. He braved the dangers of tomahawks and tortures to bring the Word of God to the Indians of the New World. Rapids, floods, Indian superstitions, tribal warfare - these are only a few of the obstacles Father Marquette and Louis Joliet encountered in trying to meet their challenge. Illustrated.
Born in Connecticut in 1852, Michael McGivney grew up with a dream that would prove difficult to achieve. He wanted to become a priest and devote his life to God by serving others.
After his ordination, Father McGivney's influence went far beyond his priestly ministry and parochial boundaries. His friends were in high society and on death row. A man of many talents, he directed plays and organized church fairs. Father McGivney shared his love of God by serving those around him. His concern for his flock would nurture a new dream--to serve even more people by helping them to help themselves.
In 1882, Father McGivney gathered a group of men who shared his vision, and the Knights of Columbus was born. Despite opposition and challenges, Father McGivney's new dream would succeed far beyond his expectations.
Beloved in his time for who he was, Father Michael McGivney will be forever remembered for what he accomplished. Today the Knights of Columbus is the largest Catholic fraternal organization in the world. Meet the man who started it all and still inspires people to serve God by serving others.
Age Range: 8 and up
Celebrated author Marigold Hunt retells for children the dangerous early days of the Church as reported in The Acts of the Apostles, St. Luke's account of the dangerous early days of the Church.
Focusing on the deeds and experiences of Sts. Peter, Paul, Luke, and Barnabas, author Hunt shows children that the Catholic Church which today seems so ancient and established was born in turbulent times, when merely professing belief in Christ could get you killed -- and not by rowdies and brigands, but by public officials carrying out their sworn duty.
Time and again, the apostles wind up in jail (some for years), and time and again God frees them by miracles of one sort or another. With Christian hope and great good cheer, they take up again the task with which Christ charged them just before He ascended into Heaven: "Go forth and teach all nations."
By foot, on horseback, and on frail craft tossed in stormy seas, they do just that, preaching and teaching their way across much of the known world, winning converts and establishing churches in Palestine, Crete, Cyprus, Malta, Phoenicia, the lands that are now Turkey, and even in Rome itself, the pagan capital of the anti-Christian Empire.
Along the way, the apostles heal the sick, cast out devils, and work other miracles. They face down mobs, evade murder plots, and defend themselves in courts in city after city. In the midst of it all, Peter -- whose authority as the first Pope was accepted by all of the apostles -- settles disputes that arise among the Christians and between the new Churches.
All this and more is told in The First Christians, the thrilling -- and true -- saga of the lives and works of the first apostles of Jesus.
Cover art by Chris Pelicano
This book is now part of Renaissance Learning's Accelerated Reader program. Quizzes are currently available.
Superheroes are everywhere -- in movies, on television, and in video games. It's exciting to think about these extraordinary people with amazing powers who save us from evil and are a force for good in the world.
But did you know that God has real-life superheroes of his own? They started out as ordinary people. Then something (God!) happened to them, and they changed.
God's Superheroes highlights three dozen amazing Catholic men, including Venerable Augustus Tolton, Saint Anthony of Padua, Blessed Carlo Acutis, Saint Francis of Assisi, Saint John Paul II, Servant of God Nicholas Black Elk, Blessed Miguel Pro, Blessed Justo Takayama Ukon, and Saint Joseph.
The men in this book were brave and bold in their Catholic faith. Whether as fathers, priests, or teenaged boys, they stood against evil and made a difference. Some even had superpowers -- they could fly in the air, or foretell the future, or cure the sick! They all used the talents God gave them and sacrificed to change the world for the better. They are still champions for good today, and these are their stories. These amazing Catholic men want to stand by your side throughout your adventures and help with the obstacles you face. They want you to become one of God's superheroes, too!
Learn about holy women in this book's companion - God's Superheroes: Amazing Catholic Women.
Superheroes are everywhere -- in movies, on television, and in video games. It's exciting to think about these extraordinary people with amazing powers who save us from evil and are a force for good in the world.
But did you know that God has real-life superheroes of his own? They started out as ordinary people. Then something (God!) happened to them, and they changed.
God's Superheroes will introduce you to more than three dozen amazing Catholic women, including Saint Brigid, Saint Joan of Arc, Saint Josephine Bakhita, Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, Venerable Satoko Kitahara, Saint Teresa of Calcutta, Servant of God Thea Bowman, Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, and the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The women in this book went out into our world with courage and determination. Whether as mothers, religious, or teenaged girls they stood against evil and made a difference. Some even had superpowers -- they could be in two places at once, or read minds, or heal sickness! They all used the talents God gave them and sacrificed to change the world for the better. They are still champions for good today, and these are their stories. These amazing Catholic women want to stand by your side throughout your adventures and help with the obstacles you face. They want you to become one of God's superheroes, too!
Learn about holy men in this book's companion - God's Superheroes: Amazing Catholic Men.
Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty was working in the Vatican when dictator Benito Mussolini fell from power and Germany invaded Italy in 1943. This courageous Irish priest who resisted the Nazi occupation was made famous by the movie, The Scarlet and the Black, starring Gregory Peck. The Monsignor O'Flaherty brought to life in this story is as intriguing and exciting as the film version.
Witty, brilliant, and fearless, Monsignor O'Flaherty helped escaped Allied prisoners of war and persecuted Jews to elude capture by the Germans. At great risk to themselves, Monsignor O'Flaherty and his equally brave friends--priests, nuns, and lay men and women, including a few aristocrats--saved thousands of lives. They constantly needed to stay one step ahead of the ever-persistent Nazis until their surrender to the Allies in 1945.
This is the 35th title in the acclaimed Vision Books series on saints and heroes for youth. Not just a thrilling adventure story, this book offers a portal into a real-life battle between good and evil. It also tells of the need after a war for forgiveness and redemption.
Torn from his woodland home, the orphan Waljan finds life in the city with the widow Pruitt strange and tormenting, Wally faces many trials at the hands of the widow's conniving twins, not to mention Mortinburg's shadier characters: a leering hag, the manipulative Judge Asmodeus, and a gang of lawless lawmen led by the shifty Bruce Malvo. But a mysterious wall and the society that meets beneath it hold the secret to Wally's identity. Will he find his true home . . . or will his own decisions deprive him of it?
You've read the story of Waljan of the Wood, Haden Hunter, Penelope, Bo Dog and their friends . . . now, the real adventure begins . . . an adventure in faith!
These lesson plans for In the Realm of Mist and Mercy walk readers through the story as an allegory to the Catholic faith. Each lesson includes questions for discussion, an exposition of the relevant teaching of the Catholic Church from the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Bible, and an invitation to prayer. Topics include:
A Lion for the Emperor is the second volume of the gripping new series for 10 yr. olds and up titled In the Shadows of Rome (5 books total).
Being a Christian in ancient Rome was very dangerous. To spread the faith and stay alive, you had to live in the shadows . . .
Maximus and Aghiles join their friend Titus on his father's expedition to capture a magnificent lion in the forests of North Africa. After surviving the dangers of the hunt, the three friends face a perilous voyage back to Rome. Their mission: present Emperor Diocletian with a priceless beast that will be used to satisfy the pagan appetite for violence during games in the Colosseum.
Follow their adventures as they forge priceless friendships--and discover the many secrets lurking in the shadows of the Rome.
Since its world premiere on Broadway in 1959, The Sound of Music has captivated millions of people around the world. After it was turned into an Oscar-winning movie, the singing von Trapp family became household names in America. While many know about their heroic resistance to Nazism and their narrow escape from German-occupied Austria, few are familiar with the true story behind the musical.
In this New Vision Book, the dramatic history of Maria von Trapp and her musical family comes to life for young readers. Based on her best-selling autobiographies and a memoir by one of her daughters, this novel is part epic adventure and part spiritual testimony to God''s faithfulness.
Beginning with her birth on a train and the loss of her parents, and ending with her vital role at the family-run lodge in Vermont, this story shows how Maria learned to trust God at every difficult step in her life and to see his guiding and protecting presence at every turn.
In 1946, Francesca Cabrini was canonized as the first saint of the United States. This Vision book for 9 - 15 year olds tells the exciting story of this missionary from Italy who came to America to spread the Faith. She founded a new order nuns, the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart, to teach the Faith and work with the poor in our country. She was a tireless missionary who crossed the ocean 37 times to expand her order across the world to France, England, Spain; in Central and South America; in the United States from coast to coast including New York, New Orleans, Denver, Seattle (where she took the oath of U.S. citizenship) and Chicago, where she died in 1917, a saint of our time.
Cover art by Chris Pelicano
Born in 1774, Elizabeth Bayley grew up in a well-to-do Protestant family and seemed destined for a tranquil life. At age 19 she married William Seton and together they had five children. Tragedy struck when William died of tuberculosis in 1803. Elizabeth learned that her family fortune was lost as well. She converted to Catholicism at a time when Catholics were the object of persecutions in the United States. Her family was shocked by this decision. Elizabeth met Bishop Carroll of Maryland, and he gave her the inspiration to found the American Sisters of Charity and the first American parochial Catholic school. In time her order of sisters flourished, and they established more schools, orphanages and hospitals across the United States. At her early death (46 years old) Mother Seton's congregation numbered twenty-one communities throughout the country. Illustrated
"A series which should be found wherever there are young Catholic readers."
-Ave Maria
"Parents will not have to wonder why Johnny won't read if these Vision Books are made available to their children . . . Splendid in design and format . . ."
- Catholic Standard and Times
"The entire series of Vision Books is recommended for solid training for youth."
- The Tablet.
Cover art by Chris Pelicano
The Mysterious Goblet is the third volume of the gripping new series for 10 yr. olds and up titled In the Shadows of Rome (6 books total).
Being a Christian in ancient Rome was very dangerous. To spread the faith and stay alive, you had to live in the shadows. . .
Maximus, his slave Aghiles, and their friend Titus are again caught up in exciting and dangerous events--this time when Titus discovers a rather ordinary goblet in his sack. Where did it come from? Who put it there and why? The plot thickens when a man is killed outside Titus'' house. The boys must decide, and quickly, what to do about the goblet before somebody else gets hurt.
Follow their adventures as they forge priceless friendships--and discover the many secrets lurking in the shadows of the Rome.
The exciting sequel to Olivia and the Little Way: Olivia Thomas was the new girl in school when she felt St. Therese of Lisieux enter her life in a powerful way. Now, two years later, her relationship with the Little Flower has blossomed into a beautiful friendship as she prepares to follow the Little Way into seventh grade.
School is out for the year and it is time for a fun beach adventure with family and friends. However, Olivia's summer vacation turns out to be anything by ordinary! She discovers that sometimes it can be difficult to be a good Catholic when you're in middle school - and she finds that she needs God and St. Therese now more than ever. In this beautiful novel that celebrates modesty and the precious gift of life, Oliva learns that it takes blind faith every day - and that God is never far away, even on vacation. Illustrated.