Monthly Book Reviews – Faithful Servants

This month I’m reviewing books about three individuals who are considered Saints by the Catholic Church or are on their way to sainthood. What better way to kickstart Lent than with some inspiring storis about faithful servants of God.

Before we begin…

In case you are new to my blog, besides writing YA novels, I love reviewing them as well. Every month I post about 3 YA books that I’ve read each month in a new genre. I also send out quarterly posts marked UPDATES regarding news about my own work.

But for those of you who have kids, or grandkids, or you yourself like teen books (like me!), each month, I’ll introduce some of my favorite Christian and Catholic YA books.

I’ve decided to provide more reviews because there are a few things I’ve learned since I had my first book published:

1 – So many of the teen books published by the big publishing companies contain messages that don’t match the values of many families.

2 – There are a lot of fantastic, clean, faith-based books out there – books that are entertaining yet wholesome and reflect Christian values.

3 – These types of books can be difficult to find. So, I’d like to introduce you to a few new adventures.

Lucia of Fatima by Kathryn Griffin Swegart

What an amazing story. I’ve enjoyed all of the books in Kathryn Griffin Swegart’s Brave Hearts series, but this one is my favorite. These books about faithful servants of God are truly inspirational. I was familiar with Lucia and the incredible miracle that occurred at Fatima, but this book provided more details than I’d ever known before. Based on Lucia’s memoirs, this story offers more insight into the Fatima events, as well as Lucia’s life after the miracle. While this book is written as a middle-grade novel, I would recommend it for anyone interested in this incredible real-life story.

Through the beautiful writing, the reader feels like they know and understand Lucia. From the struggles she dealt with at home, to the sweet relationship she had with her cousins, and her unwavering devotion to her faith, Lucia was an inspiring woman. Thank you, Kathryn Griffin Swegart, for sharing this edifying story.

Child, Unwanted: Friends in High Places by Corinna Turner

This is the third story in Corinna Turner’s Friends in High Places series. This series of short stories introduces saints to readers through fictional tales about modern teens. Child Unwanted focuses on the life of Blessed Margaret of Castello. I had never heard of this faithful servant and her incredible life of hardship. The joy and faith that defined Margaret, despite the many difficult trials she endured, is truly inspiring.

Child Unwanted is all about not giving up and using your situation, no matter how painful, to pray for and bless others. This act of giving your pain up for others is a difficult concept to understand. This story about a boy name Miri, does an excellent job of explaining the process. I appreciated the pro-life aspect of the story as well as the cameo appearance of Daniel, a character found in each of the Friends in High Places books.

Saint Ignatius of Loyola: For the Greater Glory of God by Donna Giaimo, FSP and Patricia Jablonski, FSP

Having two children attend Jesuit high schools and colleges, I have long been curious about the founder of the Jesuits, Saint Ignatius of Loyola. In every classroom, the Jesuit phrase “Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam” was proudly displayed, and the AMDG symbol even graced their tennis and baseball uniforms. While I struggled at first to remember what the beautiful Latin words meant, I fully appreciated that my teens were constantly reminded to live their lives “For the Greater Glory of God.” This Jesuit principle that our actions give glory to God, is the foundation of the Jesuit’s incredible contribution over the centuries to education and missionary work around the world.

This book by Pauline Books and Media is relatively short but offers a wonderful depiction of this holy man’s life. Inigo, who grew up in the early 1500s, came from a well-off family. As a boy, he longed for a life of adventure, defending his beloved country of Spain as a soldier. However, a serious battle injury changed this young man’s life forever. During his long recovery, he was stuck with nothing to do but read. The only two books available to him were a book about the life of Christ and one about the lives of the saints. These books led him on an unusual journey of faith to change his name, give up his worldly possessions, and eventually become a priest who founded the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits. I thoroughly enjoyed this introduction to the life of an incredible saint.

All these books can be found on Amazon. I’ve set links – just click on the highlighted titles. For those who don’t use Amazon you can also check Barnes and Noble online or www.indiebound.org where you can search for books and the local bookstores that might carry them or order them directly from the website. You can also ask your local bookstore or library to order the books for you.

Next month I’ll be reviewing three more Christian/Catholic teen novels. But if you’d like more reviews before then you can always check out my recommendation section on my website: YA Recommendations.

If you’ve come across this post on Facebook and would like to get my monthly reviews sent directly to your inbox, you can sign up on my website – www.LesleaWahl.com.

Until next month – Happy Reading!

This month I’m reviewing three Science Fiction novels. Two are set in space, one is a more modern story. I chose one for older teens, one fairy-tale retelling, and one short story. While these Catholic tales have their differences, they share one common thread—all are fabulous stories with intriguing moral dilemmas.

Before we begin…

In case you are new to my blog, besides writing YA novels, I love reviewing them as well. Every month I post about 3 YA books that I’ve read each month in a new genre. I also send out quarterly posts marked UPDATES regarding news about my own work.

But for those of you who have kids, or grandkids, or you yourself like teen books (like me!), each month, I’ll introduce some of my favorite Christian and Catholic YA books.

I’ve decided to provide more reviews because there are a few things I’ve learned since I had my first book published:

1 – So many of the teen books published by the big publishing companies contain messages that don’t match the values of many families.

2 – There are a lot of fantastic, clean, faith-based books out there – books that are entertaining yet wholesome and reflect Christian values.

3 – These types of books can be difficult to find. So, I’d like to introduce you to a few new adventures.

Heaven’s Hunter by Marie Keiser

I haven’t read many Christian sci-fi stories, so I was excited to check this one out. And I’m so glad I did. Detective Randall Yung of the Galactic Fleet only wants to serve his government and keep the galaxy safe, despite the fact that his wealthy, powerful family does not view his career choices as worthy. However, when his newest assignment makes him question everything he’s ever been told, his world is turned inside out. Could the government really have been changing history and keeping the facts from their citizens? Could it be possible that the dangerous rebellion initiated by Catholic groups is something other than what he’d been taught?

As Randall delves into the past to answer lingering questions, the truths he discovers will put him into even greater danger, threatening his reputation, his job, and even his life. I enjoyed the main character, although I would have loved to get into his head a little more. While I appreciate his stoic and regimented personality, I would’ve loved to see more of his personal angst and turmoil. The book’s message of standing up for what is right is a message for our times. It can be much easier to just go along with the status quo. Thank goodness for those who remain steadfast in discovering and defending honor and truth. May more of us strive to be like Randall Yung. Great debut novel.

Moonboy by Karina Fabian

Moonboy is a very short story and part of the author’s Rescue Sisters series. Several years ago, I read, and thoroughly enjoyed, one other book in this series about a group of nuns who travel around the universe helping people. If you like fantasy and science fiction novels, this author is one to check out. The unique worlds she creates are not only fascinating but also entertaining. While most of her novels have adult characters, older teens would find them engaging as well. Since I normally review teen novels, I was excited to discover this short story about a teen boy. Cory Taylor, however, is no ordinary teen. Cory was born on the moon and, due to the differences in atmosphere, is unable to safely leave the moon. But all he wants is to experience a grand adventure, like that of his favorite fictional character.

However, when he concocts a plan to do just that, things go awry, and he finds himself stuck on an isolated part of the moon with several nuns and a priest. While not what he had hoped for, his botched escape gives him the adventure of a lifetime. This short story brings up some interesting topics that could lead to some fantastic discussions about science, technology, and faith. I really enjoyed this character and hope there might be a full-length book featuring him one day.

Alex O’Donnell and the 40 Cyber Thieves by Regina Doman

If you like your science fiction a little more realistic and modern, then this next choice might be for you. Alex O’Donnell and the 40 Cyber Thieves is part of Regina Doman’s Fairy Tale Novels series of books—each a modern retelling of a classic fairy tale.

Fans of Regina’s novels will be happy to know that Alex O’Donnell and his girlfriend Kateri are returning characters from one of the books in this series. I’d only read one other book by this author, so was unfamiliar with these characters, but really enjoyed them—especially Alex. There was just something about Alex and his family that was quite endearing, so I was a bit frustrated when Kateri didn’t seem to appreciate her boyfriend and his family as much as I did.

When an unexpected event creates a dramatic life change for college student Alex and his family, they begin a new exciting adventure. After graduating, Alex’s girlfriend, Kateri, is unsure about her future and relationship. But the family’s unique circumstances create an opportunity for her that she can’t pass up. Is this new venture the perfect way to draw the family closer together, or is it all too good to be true?

This book is full of intrigue with some wonderful elements of faith and action. I enjoyed the topics this book addressed about our society’s obsession with video games and technology. The cyber aspects were equally fascinating and frightening.

All these books can be found on Amazon. I’ve set links – just click on the highlighted titles. For those who don’t use Amazon you can also check Barnes and Noble online or www.indiebound.org where you can search for books and the local bookstores that might carry them or order them directly from the website. You can also ask your local bookstore or library to order the books for you.

Next month I’ll be reviewing three more Christian/Catholic teen novels. But if you’d like more reviews before then you can always check out my recommendation section on my website: YA Recommendations.

If you’ve come across this post on Facebook and would like to get my monthly reviews sent directly to your inbox, you can sign up on my website – www.LesleaWahl.com.

Until next month – Happy Reading!

Monthly Book Reviews – Christmas Stories

Each Christmas, I enjoy reviewing books for kids of all ages. I have such fond memories of reading Christmas stories to my children, so finding new treasures to share with others is always a joy. This month I’m highlighting one young adult novel, three short stories for teens, a middle-grade adventure, and three picture books.

Before we begin…

In case you are new to my blog, besides writing YA novels, I love reviewing them as well. Every month I post about 3 YA books that I’ve read each month in a new genre. I also send out quarterly posts marked UPDATES regarding news about my own work.

But for those of you who have kids, or grandkids, or you yourself like teen books (like me!), each month, I’ll introduce some of my favorite Christian and Catholic YA books.

I’ve decided to provide more reviews because there are a few things I’ve learned since I had my first book published:

1 – So many of the teen books published by the big publishing companies contain messages that don’t match the values of many families.

2 – There are a lot of fantastic, clean, faith-based books out there – books that are entertaining yet wholesome and reflect Christian values.

3 – These types of books can be difficult to find. So, I’d like to introduce you to a few new adventures.

Mary’s Son by Darryl Nyznyk

Mary’s Son is a fantasy tale for teens that combines Jesus and Santa. That may sound odd, but it is a sweet story with a beautiful message. This Christmas tale has the old-fashioned feel of Miracle on 34^th Street – one of my favorite holiday movies – maybe that is why I enjoyed this book so much.

The story revolves around an elderly gentleman, Nicholas, who, with powers given to him by God, is able to show two teens from opposite sides of town the real meaning of Christmas. Spoiled and self-centered Sarah is the only child of the wealthiest widower in town. Angry and defensive Jared is the oldest child of a poor family who is still reeling from the abandonment of their father.

Both teens are heading down a destructive path until Nicholas arrives and takes them on a magical journey – one they will never forget. Their adventure will not only reveal what Christmas is truly about but will ultimately change their lives forever.

A Perfect Christmas by Carolyn Astfalk

This Christmas short story first appeared in the CatholicTeenBooks anthology, Gifts: Visible and Invisible. No tree, no cookies, no gifts. Not a single flake of snow. With sick siblings, Dad stranded, and Mom overwhelmed, will Christmas come at all to Marigold’s topsy-turvy home? This is a sweet story about finding joy amidst the chaos.

The Christmas Angel by Leslea Wahl

This is my story that appeared in the Gifts: Visible and Invisible anthology. Join Meg’s unforgettable Advent journey when four simple words challenge her idea of a perfect Christmas. This short story was inspired by a true event that a friend once shared with me. I thought it was the perfect backdrop to this story about helping others.

The Christmas Lights by CatholicTeenBooks

Last year, six Catholic Teen Books authors and I read wrote “The Christmas Lights” for the Reading With Your Kids podcast. We each wrote a section as the story passed from one author to the next. Only the last author, A.J. Cattapan, knew the ending until we read it for the episode. We had such a fun time with the project that we decided to make it available as an e-book this Christmas for only 99 cents. All proceeds will go to Cross Catholic Outreach to help the poorest of the poor around the world.

When a blizzard puts Camilla and her family in jeopardy, she must brave the snowstorm to get help. Lost and alone, all she can do is search for Christmas lights, which is either a direction from her dead grandma or a delusion. Help does come, in completely unexpected ways.

Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker by Andrew Votipka

This is the second book I’ve read in The Mr. Baker’s Book Series. These books, written for older elementary or middle school students, are fun adventures that introduce readers to saints. Mr. Baker’s catechism lessons are literally brought to life with a special time-traveling book. In this newest story, one of Mr. Baker’s students, Theo, is whisked away to discover more about the real St. Nicholas.

While the stories are light-hearted and are far from an in-depth biography, they offer a fascinating glimpse into the lives of some faithful servants of God. The books include some factual tidbits, along with plenty of humor around modern-day kids traveling back to ancient times. These books offer a great introduction to some interesting saints through thoroughly entertaining stories.

Kristoph and the First Christmas Tree by Claudia Cangilla McAdam

St. Boniface’s fascinating tale is brought to life through this delightful picture book as Kristoph, a young orphan, and the missionary priest venture out one Christmas Eve. St. Boniface’s imagery of the evergreen—it’s perpetual green branches which reflect endless life as they point toward heaven—is sure to inspire readers. As you gather as a family around your Christmas tree this advent, may this book be a beautiful reminder of the true meaning of Christmas.

The Christmas Light by Claudia Cangilla McAdam

Another fabulous book by Claudia Cangilla McAdam! I thoroughly enjoyed experiencing the Nativity through the eyes of a little girl from the town of Bethlehem. I love the beautiful message that encountering Christ can change a life forever. You’ll want to add this one to your Christmas story collection!

Wisdom Finds a Way by Cathy Gilmore

Wisdom Finds a Way is an adorable story about the Nativity as experienced by a surprising observer—Amel the Camel. The Virtue Heroes series written by Cathy Gilmore and illustrated by Jeanie Egolf is a delightful picture book series that shares biblical stories told from the perspective of animals. The stories and illustrations are precious and provide a fantastic introduction to the wonders of our faith.

All these books can be found on Amazon. I’ve set links – just click on the highlighted titles. For those who don’t use Amazon you can also check Barnes and Noble online or www.indiebound.org where you can search for books and the local bookstores that might carry them or order them directly from the website. You can also ask your local bookstore or library to order the books for you.

Next month I’ll be reviewing three more Christian/Catholic teen novels. But if you’d like more reviews before then you can always check out my recommendation section on my website: YA Recommendations.

If you’ve come across this post on Facebook and would like to get my monthly reviews sent directly to your inbox, you can sign up on my website – www.LesleaWahl.com.

Until next month – Happy Reading!

Yesterday was All Saints Day, which makes today’s review post the perfect time to share a few stories about some incredible Saints. This month’s selection includes a graphic novel about a modern-day Priest, an adventurous story about a little-known Saint with a famous name, and an older book about an incredible woman of faith. Each of these fabulous books is bound to inspire you to learn more about these faithful servants.

Before we begin…

In case you are new to my blog, besides writing YA novels, I love reviewing them as well. Every month I post about 3 YA books that I’ve read each month in a new genre. I also send out quarterly posts marked UPDATES regarding news about my own work.

But for those of you who have kids, or grandkids, or you yourself like teen books (like me!), each month, I’ll introduce some of my favorite Christian and Catholic YA books.

I’ve decided to provide more reviews because there are a few things I’ve learned since I had my first book published:

1 – So many of the teen books published by the big publishing companies contain messages that don’t match the values of many families.

2 – There are a lot of fantastic, clean, faith-based books out there – books that are entertaining yet wholesome and reflect Christian values.

3 – These types of books can be difficult to find. So, I’d like to introduce you to a few new adventures.

Saint Cloud of Gaul: The Prince Who Traded Kingdoms by Susan Peek

The Prince Who Traded Kingdoms is another masterpiece in Susan Peek’s growing God’s Forgotten Friends collection. The author’s ability to bring to life the intriguing lives of little-known saints is an enormous blessing to our Catholic faith. This fascinating story about St. Cloud is her most heart-pounding story to date—truly a book that is impossible to put down.

Cloud was born a French prince, destined to rule his kingdom. However, when his cruel uncles change the course of events, he is forced to flee for his life. As he grows, he must decide where God is calling him to be. Is he meant for a solitary life of prayer or to become a just ruler who can lead his people in a new direction? Humor, adventure, unparalleled faith, and miraculous events keep the reader turning the pages as Cloud discovers his destiny.

I didn’t know anything about this fascinating follower of Christ, but now I find him one of my saintly friends. Thank you, Susan Peek, for introducing these little-known saints to our generation. There is so much we can learn from the faithful servant of the past.

Maximilian Kolbe: The Saint of Auschwitz by Jean-Francois Vivier

This graphic novel by Sophia Press is a fabulous look into the life of St. Maximilian Kolbe. I’ve enjoyed the entire collection of Saint graphic novels published by Sophia Press, but this one is my favorite. This book is a more in-depth endeavor, delving into the life of an incredible man. Maximilian Kolbe may best be known for his ultimate sacrifice while held prisoner at a Nazi concentration camp, but this faithful servant did so much for the Church during his life.

This comic-style book takes place during Kolbe’s time at Auschwitz, letting readers experience a bit of the horrors and degradations perpetrated by the Nazis. Through Kolbe’s discussions with his fellow prisoners, we learn about his life and amazing accomplishments. From starting the Militia Immaculatae, his years advancing Catholic publishing, to his missionary work in Asia, Kolbe’s time on this earth, while cut much too short, touched so many as he lived his life for Christ.

Many of the Saints we read about lived centuries before us. While we can learn still learn so much from their fascinating stories, they can feel a bit removed from our lives. That’s why I’ve always found the more modern Saints particularly intriguing. The idea that Saints are still living among us today is a fascinating thought. While the illustrations and text make this biography easy to follow, I especially appreciated the photographs included at the end of the book. The black and white images really added an extra element to this heart-breaking yet inspiring look into Maximilian Kolbe’s life.

Saint Helena and the True Cross by Louis de Wohl

What a fantastic story about the lives of Saint Helena and her son Saint Constantine. While they are known as amazing early saints of the church, they weren’t always believers of Christ. This older book tells the fascinating story of their lives during a very violent, pagan period when being a Christian could cost you your life. I knew just a little about Constantine and Helena, so I thoroughly enjoyed discovering more about this mother/son duo. While Constantine brought Christianity to the Roman Empire, Saint Helena brought many relics of Christ, including the cross on which he was crucified, from Jerusalem to Rome.

The author’s descriptions brought the story to life. His portrayal of Helena as a strong, confident woman was wonderful. And Constantine’s battles and epic journey across Europe were thrilling adventures. The details about Constantius, Helena’s husband, and Constantine’s father, really added a new layer of depth to their background. I always had a fondness for these two saints, but now, thanks to this book, they are two of my favorites.

All these books can be found on Amazon. I’ve set links – just click on the highlighted titles. For those who don’t use Amazon you can also check Barnes and Noble online or www.indiebound.org where you can search for books and the local bookstores that might carry them or order them directly from the website. You can also ask your local bookstore or library to order the books for you.

Next month I’ll be reviewing three more Christian/Catholic teen novels. But if you’d like more reviews before then you can always check out my recommendation section on my website: YA Recommendations.

If you’ve come across this post on Facebook and would like to get my monthly reviews sent directly to your inbox, you can sign up on my website – www.LesleaWahl.com.

Until next month – Happy Reading!

Monthly Book Reviews – Mysteries

October is upon us, which means it’s time to highlight books from my favorite genre—mysteries. This month’s three books are all perfect for teens in middle school and above. Each of the books follows the adventures of a group of friends. And they all feature likable characters with strong moral compasses that lead them through a trying time. So, as the weather cools, cozy up and grab an adventurous mystery!

Before we begin…

In case you are new to my blog, besides writing YA novels, I love reviewing them as well. Every month I post about 3 YA books that I’ve read each month in a new genre. I also send out quarterly posts marked UPDATES regarding news about my own work.

But for those of you who have kids, or grandkids, or you yourself like teen books (like me!), each month, I’ll introduce some of my favorite Christian and Catholic YA books.

I’ve decided to provide more reviews because there are a few things I’ve learned since I had my first book published:

1 – So many of the teen books published by the big publishing companies contain messages that don’t match the values of many families.

2 – There are a lot of fantastic, clean, faith-based books out there – books that are entertaining yet wholesome and reflect Christian values.

3 – These types of books can be difficult to find. So, I’d like to introduce you to a few new adventures.

Code of Silence by Tim Shoemaker

I absolutely loved this middle-grade book. The story starts quickly with Cooper and his two friends witnessing a crime. Afraid that the perpetrators will track them down, they make a pact—the Code of Silence. They believe by remaining silent, they will keep themselves safe and protect those that are suddenly in danger. But as they continue with this agreement, the lies they must tell continue to grow, ultimately threatening their friendships.

This book has so many amazing discussion topics. As a reader you sympathize with Cooper and his decisions, but they do bring up some fantastic moral dilemmas. Is it ever okay to lie? Is keeping silent different than being untruthful? How would you act in a similar situation, when things aren’t black and white? What do you do when you aren’t sure who you can trust?

The best part of the story is that throughout the difficult moments, Cooper and his friends continue to pray and try to do the right thing. And lucky for readers, this exciting, action-packed story is the first in a series.

Secrets in September by Doreen McAvoy

Secrets in September is a fun middle-grade novel, perfect for those younger teens who love a good mystery. The enjoyable characters and Christian messages intertwine throughout this book that is also the first in a series.

When Will and his twin sister Wendy begin their fall school semester, little do they know that they and their friends will be caught up in a series of mysteries that will make this September one to remember. When strange things begin to happen around town, Will, Wendy, and their friends start investigating. Who is the mysterious new girl in town? What trouble is the class bully involved in now? And what really happened at the creepy, abandoned house down the block?

Kindness, friendship, and faith make this story a wonderful choice for middle-grade readers. The values and faith of this of group friends was refreshing. They were average kids who sometimes made questionable decisions but, in the end, helped each other to choose the right path.

The Ghosts of Westthorpe Academy by Joseph Lewis

This contemporary faith-based novel combines an intriguing mystery with speculative elements.

Joe is an ordinary kid. A good student who has an incredible opportunity to attend a prestigious private Catholic school—Westthorpe Academy. All seems to be going well—new friends, great teachers, lots of activities—until rumors start swirling that the historic Westthorpe Academy is in danger of closing. Soon Joe’s ordinary life is changed by unusual events. Are his supernatural visits and vivid dreams just strange coincidences or messages from God?

There is a lot to enjoy in the book, the mystery, the faith, and the interesting historical facts. I found it refreshing to read about a good kid with nice friends and a supportive family. But don’t worry, there is plenty of drama and excitement that will keep you turning the pages.

All these books can be found on Amazon. I’ve set links – just click on the highlighted titles. For those who don’t use Amazon you can also check Barnes and Noble online or www.indiebound.org where you can search for books and the local bookstores that might carry them or order them directly from the website. You can also ask your local bookstore or library to order the books for you.

Next month I’ll be reviewing three more Christian/Catholic teen novels. But if you’d like more reviews before then you can always check out my recommendation section on my website: YA Recommendations.

If you’ve come across this post on Facebook and would like to get my monthly reviews sent directly to your inbox, you can sign up on my website – www.LesleaWahl.com.

Until next month – Happy Reading!

All of this month’s books share unique elements of the Catholic faith through collections of short stories. The featured books explore Sacraments, Relics, and Miracles. These books offer fantastic ways to learn more about Catholicism. Whether you are a cradle Catholic or are simply curious about the Church’s teachings, these books offer the inquisitive mind plenty to contemplate.

Before we begin…

In case you are new to my blog, besides writing YA novels, I love reviewing them as well. Every month I post about 3 YA books that I’ve read each month in a new genre. I also send out quarterly posts marked UPDATES regarding news about my own work.

But for those of you who have kids, or grandkids, or you yourself like teen books (like me!), each month, I’ll introduce some of my favorite Christian and Catholic YA books.

I’ve decided to provide more reviews because there are a few things I’ve learned since I had my first book published:

1 – So many of the teen books published by the big publishing companies contain messages that don’t match the values of many families.

2 – There are a lot of fantastic, clean, faith-based books out there – books that are entertaining yet wholesome and reflect Christian values.

3 – These types of books can be difficult to find. So, I’d like to introduce you to a few new adventures.

The Sacraments in Action

I’ve been enjoying Sophia Press’s collection of graphic novels about Saints, so when I discovered they had a similar book about the sacraments, I was anxious to check it out. This graphic novel provides an interesting look at the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and First Communion. Through short stories about fictional characters, these elements of faith are brought to life.

This quick read follows the characters of Hannah and Andy through three short stories. I like that these stories show the characters living their faith and encouraging others to do so as well. Sacraments are part of our spiritual journey and should form who we are. They are meant to enhance our lives, not just be programs we feel obligated to complete. As we learn more about our faith, our very lives should reflect the Christian values that we hold dear, and that is what these stories show, teens who proclaim their faith through their daily actions.

This was a unique way to teach foundations of Catholicism and could be a great resource for anyone who has questions about these sacramental pillars of our faith.

Miraculous!: Catholic Mysteries for Kids by Kathryn Griffin Swegart

Usually, my book suggestions are geared toward teens. However, I couldn’t resist sharing this gem by Kathryn Griffin Swegart. While it is written for children, this book is full of true miraculous stories that everyone will find fascinating.

Years ago, when I first joined the working world, I marveled at one of my coworkers, who always seemed to know a bit about everything. He once shared his secret with me. When he wanted to learn more about a subject, he would visit the library and select a children’s book about the topic. He explained that because children’s books are short and simple, they provided a basic understanding that anyone could understand.

This book is a perfect example of that concept. Once you read about some of these amazing true stories, you may find yourself researching them even further—I know I did. There were several fascinating incidents that I had not heard of before and found them absolutely awe-inspiring. Immediately I had to spend some time discovering more about them.

I have reviewed several books by this author and am always impressed with the intriguing details about the Catholic faith that permeate her work. Through her children and teen books, readers will discover inspiring stories about incredible faithful servants.

Treasures: Visible and Invisible

Treasures: Visible and Invisible is the third anthology by the authors at CatholicTeenBooks.com. I am so honored to be part of this group as well as one of the contributing authors to this project. Treasures is the first book in our short story collection where the stories are connected.

Each fictional tale involves a relic of St. Patrick. What is a relic? Great question! A relic is something that once belonged to one of the recognized saints of the church. A first-class relic would be part of their body, usually a fragment of bone. A second-class relic is an item that belonged to a saint. Relics are not only interesting pieces of history but throughout the ages, there have been many accounts of miracles surrounding these artifacts.

This book was such a joy to collaborate on. The eight authors who were able to participate all chose a time period to write from. The first story revolves around St. Patrick and a special fictional item. The item finds itself being passed through history in various ways, making an appearance in each story. The final story in the book is a futuristic, dystopian story. As with all our anthologies, the individual stories are all quite unique. Whether you enjoy Saint stories, historical fiction, mystery, romance, or adventure, you will be sure to find this edifying collection enjoyable and inspiring.

All these books can be found on Amazon. I’ve set links – just click on the highlighted titles. For those who don’t use Amazon you can also check Barnes and Noble online or www.indiebound.org where you can search for books and the local bookstores that might carry them or order them directly from the website. You can also ask your local bookstore or library to order the books for you.

Next month I’ll be reviewing three more Christian/Catholic teen novels. But if you’d like more reviews before then you can always check out my recommendation section on my website: YA Recommendations.

If you’ve come across this post on Facebook and would like to get my monthly reviews sent directly to your inbox, you can sign up on my website – www.LesleaWahl.com.

Until next month – Happy Reading!

This month’s books all have characters who are dealing with difficult situations. At some point, we all will have to face tragedy in our lives. These books all show families and characters who turn to their faith to bravely face their difficult challenges.

Before we begin…

In case you are new to my blog, besides writing YA novels, I love reviewing them as well. Every month I post about 3 YA books that I’ve read each month in a new genre. I also send out quarterly posts marked UPDATES regarding news about my own work.

But for those of you who have kids, or grandkids, or you yourself like teen books (like me!), each month, I’ll introduce some of my favorite Christian and Catholic YA books.

I’ve decided to provide more reviews because there are a few things I’ve learned since I had my first book published:

1 – So many of the teen books published by the big publishing companies contain messages that don’t match the values of many families.

2 – There are a lot of fantastic, clean, faith-based books out there – books that are entertaining yet wholesome and reflect Christian values.

3 – These types of books can be difficult to find. So, I’d like to introduce you to a few new adventures.

Missing Peace by N.K. Holt

Wow. I could not put this one down. This story about a young soldier and his family is full of heartache, tragedy, miracles, hope, mystery, danger, love, acceptance, and finding peace. As you can tell, there is a lot going on in this book which is definitely one of my favorite books of the year.

When John McKay heads off to war, a series of miraculous circumstances leads this young soldier on a trajectory to fulfill an ancient prophecy, completely changing the lives of his friends and family forever. I haven’t read many books about contemporary soldiers and the conflicts in the Middle East. I wish I could share more about this story, but I don’t want to give anything away, so I’ll just cryptically tell you that the ancient aspects of the saga were fascinating, the speculative moments were beautifully heart-breaking, the political issues painfully highlighted the complications of modern-warfare, and the present-day miraculous events offered inspiration and renewed faith. Missing Peace is a fantastic story for older teens.

Friends in High Places: Carlo Acutis by Corinna Turner

This short story by Corinna Turner is a fabulous introduction to the extraordinary life of Blessed Carlo Acutis. Carlo was an incredible, modern teen who died at the young age of 15 from leukemia. Amazingly, this young man is already on the road to sainthood. It’s incredible for young people to have such an inspirational role model with who they can identify with. Carlo enjoyed playing soccer, video games, and hanging out with friends. He was also deeply devoted to his faith and even used his interest in computers to create a website about Eucharistic miracles.

Turner’s fictional story revolves around another young teen who is also diagnosed with leukemia. Daniel, and his family, are struggling to deal with his devasting diagnosis. When his priest shares with him the Carlo Acutis Novena, Daniel finally finds a special friend who understands what he is going through. With the help of the prayers of the Novena and learning more about Carlo’s faith and kindness, Daniel is able to come to terms with whatever his future might hold. This story is a wonderful way for anyone to learn about Carlo and provides a powerful reflection on how we are living our own lives.

Ruby in the Water by J.P. Sterling

This faith-based novel is about Peter, an incredibly talented musician, and his family. Despite his acclaimed talent, Peter’s life was not always easy. As a boy, he had difficulty fitting in at school and physically struggled with his cerebral palsy. The book begins as teenager Peter collapses and is rushed to the hospital. As his parents anxiously wait for him to recover, their story is revealed through flashbacks and ends with an intriguing twist.

Anyone who has struggled to fit in at school or has had a child or sibling who faced such difficulties will be able to relate to this novel. Even though the book is about an older teen, most of the story is told through his parents’ memories of his childhood. I found it a compelling way for the reader to meet and understand Peter. While told from a unique perspective, teen readers may find it interesting to see the story develop from the parent’s point of view.

I truly loved the message that not everyone is the same, and those differences actually make us who we are. Traditional learning environments may work for most students, but for many children, classroom settings can be a real struggle. Sadly, these students often feel that there is something wrong with them, which creates unnecessary heartache. I wish more schools could recognize that all children are uniquely created by God. We should celebrate the differences instead of trying to make everyone the same.

All these books can be found on Amazon. I’ve set links – just click on the highlighted titles. For those who don’t use Amazon you can also check Barnes and Noble online or www.indiebound.org where you can search for books and the local bookstores that might carry them or order them directly from the website. You can also ask your local bookstore or library to order the books for you.

Next month I’ll be reviewing three more Christian/Catholic teen novels. But if you’d like more reviews before then you can always check out my recommendation section on my website: YA Recommendations.

If you’ve come across this post on Facebook and would like to get my monthly reviews sent directly to your inbox, you can sign up on my website – www.LesleaWahl.com.

Until next month – Happy Reading!