No name

You Can Share the Faith

Author(s): 
Karen Edmisten
Copyright: 
2016
Publisher: 
Our Sunday Visitor
Grade / Age level: 
Resource Type: 
Review: 
I highly recommend this terrific little book for everyone who wishes to share their faith with others – especially with their family and friends. Karen is an atheist-turned-Catholic (and Catholic homeschool mom, and contributor to this website) who shares in this book many common aspects of the conversion journey through her own experiences and those of a number of her friends. These stories are organized around a very practical set of “do’s” and “don’ts” that will help readers be better prepared to witness to and support those who are being drawn to the faith. Karen’s tone is gentle and friendly (and prayerful!), but not at all timid about tackling many important issues, concepts, teachings, relationships and potential misunderstandings. The end result is a very great set of connections to help believers be more loving, patient, understanding and supportive of others.
Perspective: 
Catholic
Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
09/14/2016

Young Faces of Holiness

Modern Saints in Photos and Words
Book cover: 'Young Faces of Holiness, Modern Saints in Photos and Words'
Author(s): 
Ann Ball
Number of pages: 
236 pages
Copyright: 
2004
ISBN: 
9781931709552
Publisher: 
Our Sunday Visitor
Subject(s): 
Setting: 
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 

If you want to go to sleep, don't read Young Faces of Holiness by Ann Ball. The stories are absolutely fascinating. The thirty-five stories include young people from all walks of life and countries of the world who are either Blessed, Venerable, or candidates for canonization.

In a world that feeds the imagination of children to think only of themselves, this book is a refreshing antidote to the me-ism of our modern culture. Ann Ball does a marvelous job of showing the spiritual development of these young saints. They too struggled with their faults. At the same time, they are a source of hope, because they chose to suffer or even die for Christ. We need to be reminded over and over again to strive to achieve the Divine Smile in the midst of crosses and suffering. Many of them did nothing extraordinary in terms of the world. They wanted to love God to the best of their ability. For example, although Annie Zelikova lay dying in terrible pain from tuberculosis, she was known for her constant smile. She said, "I must smile to my last breath." Another young candidate for sanctity, Gerard Raymond, wrote, "Help me, O Jesus, to love You more and more."

After reading just one or two stories, we are forced to make an examination of conscience and ask ourselves, "If they can conquer their faults, then surely I can conquer mine and strive to achieve the same attitude as these children." Although no reading level is suggested, the average 4th grader could probably read it. Since most children's comprehension level is far beyond their reading level, this book would also make an ideal read aloud to younger children. For many young children seeing pictures of these children will be an eye-opening experience. Other young people their own age tried to be holy.

Because a few of the children experienced violent deaths, you may wish to skip those stories for young children. Both Saint Maria Goretti and Blessed Antonia Mesina were brutally murdered and died defending their purity because of their love of Christ.

Note from the Webmaster: I would like to suggest that this book is ideally suited to pre-teens and teenagers (approximately 6th grade and up) who will be able to reflect on the heroism of these children under difficult circumstances (and sometimes extreme suffering) and be inspired to apply some measure of that heroism to their own lives.

Perspective: 
Catholic
Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
10-17-05

Amazing Saints

Amazing Stories of Catholic Saints
Author(s): 
Mario D Macari
Illustrator(s): 
Mario D. Macari
Number of pages: 
32 pages
Publisher: 
cartoonmario.com
Binding: 
Stapled Softcover
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 
Our local Catholic Archdiocesan paper has a wonderful kids' section. The first thing my kids do when the Catholic Herald (Milwaukee, Wisconsin Archdiocese) comes is to go to the kids’ section. There they fill out the word games, puzzles, and read the saint story. Now the creator of “Amazing Saints” has produced his own saint book, Amazing SaintsVolume 1, highlighting 27 saints. Covering an eclectic mix of saints from the unknown to the familiar, St. Joseph to Bl. Karl Leisner, each biography is a short page. Packed with information, each fascinating saint story holds the reader’s interest. I love this intro to St. Francis. “St. Francis of Assisi is often pictured at peace, surrounded by animals and enjoying nature. But his early life was far from peaceful.” Since the illustrations are cartoons and the summaries short, this kid-friendly layout will appeal to those who otherwise might not be interested in reading about the saints. At the same time, Macari does not dumb down the stories or pretend everything is happy-happy. If you are looking for a fun alternative, that packs a punch (giving even adults something to think about), and that is short and sweet, then Amazing Saints fits the bill. Even children too young to read would enjoy listening to the stories and looking at the illustrations.
Perspective: 
Catholic
Additional notes: 

Available from www.amazingsaints.com.

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
2-24-2010

First Start French

Student Edition
First Start French from Memoria Press
Author(s): 
Danielle L. Schultz
Number of pages: 
128 pages
Copyright: 
2007
ISBN: 
1930953658
Publisher: 
Memoria Press
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Grade / Age level: 
Resource Type: 
Review: 
I learned to speak French YEARS ago. I was blessed to go to a bi-lingual Catholic grammar school where French was a large part of the day. I didn't take French in high school, college or graduate school; that said, I still remember songs and rhymes and simple vocabulary learned many years ago. First Start French is a wonderful, gentle start to teaching and learning this lovely language. The author, Danielle Schultz, wrote the 36 lessons for her daughter when she couldn't find a suitable language program. This one has all the aspects -- in a broad-brushstroke way -- necessary for gently introducing French to anyone grade 3-6 or so. Each lesson includes a quote (perfect for copywork practice), 10-15 vocabulary words, grammar, dialogue and exercises. The exercises in the student book include a translation from English to French, grammar practice (conjugations and form changes), and other activities that reinforce the lessons-to-date. There is a CD available that includes pronunciation of the words in each lesson as well as six French songs (I still remember these songs from grammar school). A teacher's manual completes the set. Memoria Press sells the pieces bundled together or individually (which is nice if you have more than one student and therefore need more than one workbook). At the end of this first book, the author includes the French versions of the Sign of the Cross, Glory Be, Our Father and Hail Mary. I really like that! My plan is to introduce French to my rising 6th grader this next Fall using this program and supplementing with simple French picture books, movies with the language choice set to French, and on-line help. I don't expect him to know French by the end of the year, but by doing a lesson each week, he should have a start on appreciating both French and the need to understand English grammar.
Perspective: 
Protestant
Additional notes: 

The teacher book has very well-written supplementary notes for teaching each lesson.

There is a Level 2 set now available.

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
4-30-2010

Friendly Defenders

Book cover: 'Friendly Defenders'
Author(s): 
Matt Pinto
Katherine Andes
Number of pages: 
50 pages
Copyright: 
2001
Publisher: 
Ascension Press
Subject(s): 
Resource Type: 
Review: 

Each packet of Friendly Defenders Catholic Flash Cards includes 50 cards covering 12 categories: Tradition, Church, Papacy, Eucharist/Mass, Salvation, Purgatory, Baptism, Mary, Saints, Confession, Statues & Holy Objects, and Holy Orders. The purpose of the cards is to assist children, ages 8 and up, and teenagers to be able to defend their faith with clear and easy explanations against the typical questions about the Catholic faith.

On the front of each card is a number and color code, category and topic, a boy or girl (with a memorable name such as Curious Connie) who offers a challenging a question or statement to Catholics. On the back of each card is another boy or girl (with a name such as Joyful Joey) giving a solid Catholic response. There is also a Bible verse and additional comments at the bottom of the card to explain the answer. Also included are Bible references with related Bible verses. For example, in the Category of "Purgatory" and the topic of "Purpose of . . .", Questioning Quincy states, "Purgatory is not necessary. You're either saved or not saved." Gracious Grace gives the reply on the back. "Purgatory is only for the saved. It's a place or state where those who died in God's friendship are made perfect so they can enter heaven of which St. John writes. . . 'Nothing unclean will enter it' (Rev. 21:27).

These cards are unique in that they are not just basic catechism questions, but questions that non-Catholics often have about the Catholic faith and these cards supply young people the tools to effectively reply to those misconceptions. Colorful and contemporary, Friendly Defenders Catholic Flash Cards offer kids a fun way to learn to defend the faith.

Perspective: 
Catholic
Additional notes: 
50 full color glossy cards
Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
7-31-04

Old Sam, Dakota Trotter

Author(s): 
Don Alonzo Taylor
Illustrator(s): 
Lorence Bjorklund
Number of pages: 
153 pages
Copyright: 
2008
Publisher: 
Bethlehem Books
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 
Fresh and as exciting as the first time I read it, Old Sam, Dakota Trotter is one horse of a story! 10-year-old Johnny Scott and his inseparable younger brother, Lee, go on a series of adventures in the Dakota territory with their beloved horse, Old Sam. From collecting buffalo bones to catching thieves to the thrilling climax at the 4th of July trotting race, the reader experiences the joys of two boys discovering the wonders and excitement of prairie life in the Dakota territory in the 1880s. For a real-life glimpse of homesteading and pioneering with all its drama, you won't want to miss Old Sam, Dakota Trotter. Boys will especially enjoy their adventures. This is a re-issue of the first Old Sam story previously reprinted as a Budget Book. An additional review is available in the archives.
Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
1-15-2009

The Joy of Science

Aristotle Leads the Way
Author(s): 
Joy Hakim
Number of pages: 
282 pages
Copyright: 
2004
Publisher: 
Smithsonian Books
Binding: 
Sewn Hardcover
Subject(s): 
Grade / Age level: 
Resource Type: 
Review: 

Joy Hakim is a talented story-teller, as readers of her American history series can attest. Her presentation of the history of science, ably illustrated with colored images of scientists and their apparatus and their books will engage the student and readily acquaint him with all that he is likely to be expected to know (in the politically correct sense) about the history of science.

It is the "politically correct" aspect that warrants some caution.

Joy Hakim is not herself either a scientist or a historian, and several annoying but commonplace and politically correct assumptions about science are reinforced by her work, to wit:

  • That religion and science are in conflict.
  • That the history of science basically begins with the Greeks, pauses for the Dark Middle Ages, and resumes for the Reformation/ Enlightenment.
  • That science involves a particular type of thought, in the long run the best kind of thought and the only one that is really dependable and serious.
  • That science fiction is a source of suggestive ideas about the nature of man, and since it has a veneer of science, these suggestions will be welcomed by all men of good intelligence.

Here are some of the details of her thought about religion being in conflict with science.

The presentation of science as a constant conflict with religion begins at the beginning of the text. On p. 48, for example we learn that the religious and political leaders were "aghast" with the ideas of Anaxagoras (500 – 428 B.C.), who said that the Moon had mountains and shone by the reflected light of the sun. It is a curious fact that in writing this first volume, titled: Aristotle Leads the Way, Hakim does not note that Aristotle himself, several generations after Anaxagoras, in 350 B.C., rejected these ideas about the Moon. This is important because it shows that the academics were in disagreement among themselves, not busily making "Scientific Progress" except as inhibited by hysterical religious leaders.

The battle continues on p. 91 (in a sidebar) where Hakim laments that unfortunately we can't read the works of Democritus because they were destroyed by religious zealots. Whom does she mean? Plato wanted to burn his writings, but did not have the power to do so; worth mentioning to recognize that there were academic conflicts about his ideas. Some claim that the books were burned in 391 by Christian monks; this refers to some sort of political chaos in which the Library at Alexandria was damaged, but it has nothing to do with singling out Democritus. Caliph Omar ordered that all the books in the Alexandrian Library – excepting the works of Aristotle -- be burned to heat their baths in 642. Again, Democritus was not singled out. And by the way, now we know why Aristotle so dominates our knowledge of Greek thought. Thanks, Omar.

Finally, it is worth mentioning that the books in this library contained a mixture of sorcery and science; this was the source of the discord. I would probably burn a good number of the books myself if they were found in my family library. Of course I would want to sort them first, and 700,000 books is more than I can sort…

So much for religious zealots.

Skipping ahead, chapter 22 is entitled, "A Saint who was No Scientist" referring to St. Augustine. Actually, for his time Augustine was moderately good at science, considering that it was not his primary vocation. He specifically urged that the Christians not say things about science that pagans would certainly dismiss as stupid for this might cause them to dismiss the gospel, -- good advice today. And he made a mammoth effort to bring the understanding of Genesis 1 up to date – his date.

To her credit, Hakim mentions that some scholars dispute the idea that the dark ages were so very dark, and she urges her readers to do their research. This is a little unfair. The idea of writing a textbook is that you are laying out the essentials and the readers may do further research. She doesn't even list the people they might research in order to consider the merits of Medieval science:

  • St. Isidore of Seville in the 7th century, St. Bede in the 8th century, and Rabanus Maurus in the 9th century all worked on encyclopedias, humble efforts to set forth what was known in an orderly manner. Coming out of the piracy that marked the fall of Rome, these efforts were humble but important for the resumption of culture.
  • John Scotus Eriugena (12th century) set forth a layout of the heavens with Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars and Jupiter orbiting the Sun, though not Saturn.

To be sure, Hakim's book actually has marginal notes and side bars with other resources that might be pursued, but since these are not well-integrated into the text, a student might not notice them as a resource for further research.

This book perpetuates too many falsehoods to be worthwhile.

Perspective: 
Secular
Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
2-27-07

Peter Treegate's War

Author(s): 
Leonard Wibberley
Illustrator(s): 
Michael Jaroszko
Benjamin Hatke
Roseanne Sharpe
Number of pages: 
134 pages
Copyright: 
1960
Publisher: 
Bethlehem Books
Binding: 
Softcover
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 
Will he survive? Although the day started pleasant enough, larks singing and the grass turning a pale gold, the redcoats were forming below, forming a formidable line to overtake their small band of New England militia in the battle of Breed’s Hill. The Treegate saga continues with Peter Treegate’s War. In this second book, the story opens with the battle of Breed’s Hill about to commence, better known as the battle of Bunker Hill. Peter is caught between two conflicts, the war between the British and the emerging American nation and the conflict between his father, John Treegate, and his foster father, Maclaren of Spey. Both men demand his love and loyalty. Both men despise each other. Peter wants to please both, but soon finds out he has to make a choice. Will he make the right one? As the plot develops, the story follows several pivotal scenes in the War for Independence and includes an unforgettable cast of characters. Like his conflict with his father and foster father, Peter must choose. What does it mean to be loyal? As he goes from one exciting adventure or misadventure to another, including capture, imprisonment, and escape, Peter seems to be a magnet for trouble. Along the way, he learns that people and situations are not always what they appear to be, especially with the surprise ending. What will Peter Treegate learn in the end? Wibberley captures the intensity and drama of war. We can feel the tension mount as the redcoats relentlessly bear down on the ragtag group of militia, their powder running low, fear gripping them as they hold their muskets ready to fire. More than an exciting tale of the American Revolution or realistic story about conflict and resolution in a family, Wibberley shows that even in the midst of evil the courageous soul is willing to risk all out of love, kindness, and compassion for others.
Additional notes: 

Because of the impersonal nature of the battle scenes and the need for a mature understanding of the issues surrounding war, the suggested reading level is high school.

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
3-31-2009

Spring's Gift of Hope

Author(s): 
Monique Niemaszyk
Illustrator(s): 
Rosemary McAvoy
Number of pages: 
144 pages
Copyright: 
2009
ISBN: 
0971889546
Publisher: 
By Way of the Family Press
Binding: 
Paperback
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 
"Spring's Gift of Hope" is the first book by Moniqe Niemaszyk I read. I understand it is the second of a series and I look forward to the upcoming ones. Although you may want your child to read the first one ("Birthday Snow") of the series first, this volume read very independently. A New England Catholic family of five children deals with the care and death of an older aunt, and protagonist 18 yr old Gina gets ready for college and a possible romantic relationship. Lessons are learned, hearts are touched, and an example of healthy family and prayer life is gently portrayed. The writing is good and simply done, the story flows nicely, and the overall product is professional and pleasant. This book will make a great gift for a teenager girl!
Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
10-17-2009

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