For Boys and Girls: Preteen Catholic Fiction Suggestions
"...Olivia’s Gift by Nancy Carabio Belanger follows Olivia in her summer before 7th grade, navigating friends, family and trying (and not always succeeding) to live out St. Therese’s “Little Way.” There’s a very powerful, but sensitively handled, pro-life theme here. The book is a sequel to the wonderful Olivia and the Little Way, that chronicles Olivia’s fifth grade year and her ups & downs. The books can be read independently of each other, but most girls will want to read both once they’ve read one."
*Both books are enjoyed by girls and boys alike. I have many boy readers who write to me to tell me how much they can relate to Olivia's struggles, as well as the boy characters in the book, Chad and Brandon. Both books are used in Catholic classrooms, home schools, CCD classes, book groups, and Catholic clubs. Teacher/parent discussion questions are available for free by contacting Guide@harveyhousepublishing.com. Olivia and the Little Way and Olivia's Gift are both award winners from the Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada, and have received the Catholic Writers Guild Seal of Approval, which evaluates books on their faithfulness to Church teachings.
One boy wrote: "So glad we read Olivia and the Little Way in our class. I really liked your book and the fact that you included a saint. Your book has influenced a lot of sixth graders in our school, even my best friend!"
You can find Olivia and the Little Way and Olivia's Gift at many retail outlets, or order autographed, personalized copies at www.harveyhousepublishing.com.
