Books for girls offer Catholic tips to build bonds, navigate life

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Two new books for female readers offer Catholic perspective and guidance for building relationships and navigating through life.

One is "The Thoughtful Girl's Guide to Fashion, Communication and Friendship" by Mary Sheehan Warren. It's an all-encompassing manual loaded with practical Christian advice intended for older girls and young women.

The other is titled "Side by Side: A Catholic Mother-Daughter Journal," written by mother-daughter duo Lori and Ava Ubowski is an interactive tool that uses Scripture and reflection to strengthen the bonds between older girls and their mothers.

Biography asks if prestige, Catholic identity are at odds

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On March 3, 2015, college students donned heavy coats against the brutal Lake Michigan winter and lined a concrete drive on the campus of the University of Notre Dame. In a very particular sense, many of them would not have been there without the efforts of the man to whom they paid their respects -- Holy Cross Father Theodore Hesburgh, who guided that university for 35 years on a path toward ever-higher academic prowess and prestige, but, as a new biography argues, not without tradeoffs.

Book offers deep dive into church history

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When a book has more than 500 pages, more than 1,000 footnotes and a 10-page bibliography, it would be a disservice to call it an introduction. Consider "Timeless" the equivalent of at least a two-semester college overview course in Catholic Church history that touches upon key movements, events and people.

Counter-Reformation content of Catholic art topic of new book

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The best part of this book is the collection of glossy photos showing masterpieces of 16th- and 17th-century Italian art. The sculptures and paintings exemplify how artistic geniuses delved into Catholicism's deposit of faith to convey biblical and theological themes and events.

The next best thing is the author's description of the techniques used by artists to draw the viewer into their works and direct eyes to the sections giving visual expression to religious concepts.

Novelist looks at writings, influence of Trappist monk Thomas Merton

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Perhaps best known for her novels and short stories, Barnard College English professor and New York state writer -- a title bestowed in 2008 by retiring Gov. Eliot Spitzer -- Mary Gordon here turns her attention to Trappist monk, author, poet and social critic Father Thomas Merton.

Women's stories offer concrete tips for daughters of God

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Women are all about stories. We grow in faith through conversations and mutual sharing. Three recent books aim to fill a gap in publishers' catalogs: books about feminine spirituality.

In previous decades, little was available for Catholic women, who are pressured by modern values, objectified, unequally paid, judged by externals, and tempted to unhealthy, unbalanced lives.

New summer reading for teens, kids focuses on morality, Bible, Jesus

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The following books are suitable for summer reading.

For teens:

"Road Signs for Catholic Teens," edited by Jennessa Terraccino. Our Sunday Visitor (Huntington, Indiana, 2019). 199 pp., $21.95

Tap into your teen's excitement at earning a driver's license by giving them this book to accompany their new independence and freedom. Better yet, give them "Road Signs for Catholic Teens" to read as part of your own family's driver's education class. The contributions are relevant, interesting, direct and impactful for teen readers. Divided cleverly into chapters using road signs as titles, authors offer personal anecdotes and lessons intended to help shape a teen's understanding of God's role in his or her life during this incredible phase of impressionable change and independence. Each chapter includes points of discussion, making it user-friendly for summer book clubs or family catechesis. Topics include relativism, sin, purgatory, Christian charity, prayer and dating. Ages 16 and up.

"Sydney and Calvin Have a Baby" by Adrienne Thorne. Gracewatch Media (Winona, Minnesota, 2018). 212 pp., $13.00

Parents, brace yourselves. The concepts addressed in this book -- rape, references to pornography and casual teenage birth control and sex, intentional parental deception, and abortion -- are not new to your teens. However, what might be new is a fictional discussion of these themes within a Catholic framework. Author Adrienne Thorne offers a compelling, albeit distressing, novel about a teen who was brutally date-raped then pressured to have an abortion. Her rapist is vile, and her only friend is pathetic. But her true hero encompasses a morally mature teen eager to fuel her inner strength. The young man, whose selfless compassion regardless of his own personal struggles, gives readers a solid role model of decency. Good versus evil is clear here, and in the true promise of the Catholic faith, light and life shine over darkness and death. This book is intended for mature teens. It might be beneficial for parents to read with younger teens. Ages 16 and up.

For children and toddlers:

"Stories of the Blessed Sacrament" by Francine Ray. Ignatius Press (San Francisco, 2019). 96 pp., $16.99

Young readers will be pulled into a greater understanding and love of Jesus in the Eucharist through these engaging and beautifully illustrated stories. In the Old Testament, God gave the Hebrews manna in the desert to sustain their physical and spiritual survival. In the New Testament, the Blessed Sacrament was revealed to the faithful through the story of the multiplication of the loaves, the Last Supper and more. The stories in this book do not stop there and continue into modern times, making this book truly special. Children will learn about saints' special devotion to the Eucharist and eucharistic miracles through the stories of St. Thomas Aquinas, the miracle in the church of Faverney, France, and the clandestine ordination of Father Karl Leisner at the Dachau concentration camp in Germany. Ages 7-12.

"The Word of the Lord," edited by Katie Warner, illustrated by Meg Whalen. Tan Books. (Charlotte, North Carolina, 2019). 24 pp., $9.95.

Many parents will agree that board books are a saving grace for occupying wiggly toddlers at Mass. Here is another to add to the lot. Within its sturdy pages, interestingly paired vivid color patterns with simple figures illustrate familiar Bible quotes. A smiling shepherd, a beaming pregnant mother and a gentle-looking Jesus help bring the Bible to life for little ones and will hold their attention. Ages 0-4.

"Jesus Invites Me to Mass" by Sabine du Mesnil. Ignatius Press (San Francisco, 2019). 18 pp., $7.99.

Simple and sweet, this book is a good primer for preschool and young elementary school students who are starting to build an awareness that the Mass is not just a place to go on Sundays. Intended for children who do not yet fully participate in the Mass through the Eucharist, it gives gentle reminders of appropriate behavior and what to do during times of silence. Direct and to the point, it explains to children why Catholics go to Mass, and what exactly goes on while they are there. Ages 3-6.

"Little Prayers for Little Ones" by Pauline Sister Patricia Edward Jablonski, illustrated by Becky Fawson. Pauline Books and Media (Boston, 2019). 24 pp., $12.95.

Here is another sturdy board book to add to the collection of quality ways to survive Mass with young children. "Little Prayers for Little Ones" taps into the innate (though sadly fleeting) ability for children to innocently see joy and God's grace in so many things adults take for granted: bouncing raindrops, tweeting birds, tall trees, or even sad friends. The illustrations are refreshingly multicultural, a stark contrast from similar, generations-old prayer books. The characters are children with and without physical disabilities, representing many ethnicities, and they see God everywhere: in the city, at the zoo, in nature, at home, and within each other. Ages 0-4.

"Sweet Dreamers" by Isabelle Simler. Eerdmans Books for Young Readers. (Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2019). 74 pp., $19.

Isabelle Simler has done it again. The author and illustrator of "Plume" and "The Blue Hour" offers children an opportunity to pause and truly escape the world in her uniquely whimsical illustrations and beautifully written prose. The colors she chooses illuminate an almost iridescence and her language and use of vocabulary show attention to purpose and restraint from unnecessary superlatives. Ages 2-5.

"Mozart: Gift of God" by Demi. Ignatius Press (San Francisco, 2019). 42 pp., $15.99.

Mozart is well-known for his musical talents, which he revealed to his musically gifted family as a 5-year-old prodigy. However, his faith isn't often a topic of conversation when discussing his impressive repertoire. But indeed, Mozart and his family were Catholic: They went to Mass, prayed together and participated in liturgical celebrations and traditions. At 13, he wrote "Te Deum" in praise of God. He told his father in letters that he feared God but knew his love, mercy and compassion. Mozart also attributed his happiness to God. This book is a children's biography of Mozart, told from a perspective appealing to Catholic families and illustrated with great detail. Ages 8-12.

"The Life of Jesus According to Luke" by Sophie de Mullenheim. Ignatius Press (San Francisco, 2019). 96 pp., $16.99.

Clear off your kitchen table for some home-grown vacation Bible school and use "The Life of Jesus" to get you started. Although this resembles a textbook to the savvy parent, its expert layout and design can be quite appealing to a willing younger learner. Biblical stories are expanded with foundational sidebars and visually welcoming extensions, giving readers a chance to digest and further explore the Bible study. Ages 7 and up.

Reviewed by Regina Lordan, a mother to three young children, has master's degrees in education and political science and is a former assistant international editor of Catholic News Service. She is a freelance editor for various online and print publications.

Surprising facts can deepen Catholics' understanding of Bible

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"101 Surprising Facts about the Bible" will provide Catholic readers, including the young, with an excellent introduction to the Bible. A number of its facts are indeed surprising and will inspire and deepen the understanding even of those who are reasonably well versed in biblical studies. Each of the facts is richly illustrated, in color, with relevant Christian art works from over the centuries which adds to the reader's pleasure.

One new book on papacy stands out

Each of these three new books on the papacy is informative and interesting. "The Pope: Francis, Benedict, and the Decision That Shook the World" is by the author of the screenplay for a dramatic film with the same title being produced by Netflix. The co-authors of "The Papacy: What the Pope Does and Why It Matters" are a former Baptist who became a Catholic and a literature professor and deacon who spent eight years in a Catholic seminary. Gerard O'Connell, author of "The Election of Pope Francis: An Inside Account of the Conclave that Changed History," is an associate editor and Vatican correspondent for the Jesuit weekly magazine, America, as well as a reporter on the Vatican for various other English-speaking Catholic news outlets.

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"The Papacy," by Ray and Walters, is a compact, accurate discussion of the papacy, its history and theology. It would make both a good college level textbook and ideal reading for any adult who wants to understand what the papacy is all about. 

Pope, youth minister offer ideas for bringing back young Catholics

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The statistics are staggering: Roughly one-third of young Catholics in the United States leave the church before their 18th birthday.

Understandably, those who work with them are very concerned by the numbers and are engaged in conversations about what can be done to stem the tide of those departing, and to bring back those who have left. These two books are a welcome contribution to that conversation.

Explore virtues through Great Books

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In our present political age when blaming and counter-blaming is all government seems able to do and public discussion is focused on finding fault, it is refreshing to have a new book that focuses on humanity's good behaviors.

In "On Reading Well," author Karen Swallow Prior uses pieces of fiction to show how a virtue is illuminated in a narrative. She uses "Persuasion" by Jane Austen to illustrate the virtue of patience, "Ethan Frome" for chastity and "A Tale of Two Cities" for justice. Sometimes a work of fiction such as "The Great Gatsby" illustrates a virtue by showing the moral opposite of a virtue; temperance is discussed by showing intemperance.

Author’s journey confronts privilege

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It can be a shock to realize the advantages a person enjoys simply because of the socioeconomic and racial background from which she comes. While some people in today's volatile political climate hesitate to discuss these issues even with friends and family, this book invites readers to dare to examine the privileges they enjoy and to talk about them.

America's first black priest has lessons to teach us today

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Although he died over 120 years ago, Father Augustus Tolton is a man for our times and his story deserves telling. It is the story of America's first recognizably black Catholic priest and his faith, perseverance and holiness.

Joyce Duriga's recent volume on his life for Liturgical Press' "People of God" series is the latest contribution to the telling of his story.

Father Tolton's story has spread in recent years, mostly due to the opening of the cause for his canonization in 2010. The late Cardinal Francis E. George stated in 2014 that introducing Father Tolton's cause was "one of the most important, if not the most important" ecclesiastical actions he had taken in his nearly 17 years as archbishop of Chicago. 

Stories inspire with moral leadership

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"Moral Leadership for a Divided Age" is an inspiring read and provides food for thought on 14 recognizable leaders who have made an impact on the world stage.

Authors David P. Gushee and Colin Holtz follow a pattern where each chapter gives an overview of the historical context in which this leader lived and the early life of the individual, then describes the moral decisions that secured their place in history as leaders worthy of admiration.

Book recounts Notre Dame's fight against Ku Klux Klan

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This excellent book will engage Catholic readers with the history not only of University of Notre Dame but also of the anti-Catholicism that prevailed in much of America up to and even after the Second World War.

It centers on a violent clash between the students of the university and a much larger group of members of the infamous Ku Klux Klan in South Bend, Indiana, in 1924.