Fiction
by Josephine Nobisso
When a poor devout widow begs for a scrap of bread from a rich faithless baker, she promises to participate in the king’s wedding mass as payment for the baker’s generosity. The baker writes “One Mass” on a scrap of paper and places it on his scale to determine how much bread it is worth. To his and the entire town’s surprise, nothing in the shop, not even the gigantic wedding cakes made for the king, outweighs the simple piece of paper representing the true worth of a Mass.
Luminous old-world watercolor paintings grace the interior of the book and gold foil artwork lends an air of solemnity and sacred beauty to the story. This has been a best-selling children's book since it was first published.
Also available in hardcover.
Paperbackk, size 11.5" x 8", 32 pages
by John O'Brien
Around the Boree Log is a delightful book of verse written by the Irish-Australian Father Patrick Joseph Hartigan (under the penname “John O’Brien”). Hartigan writes in simple, accessible language about his own people, the profoundly Catholic community of Irish settlers in Australia. His love for them and their adopted country shines through in every line.
In this book, we rediscover a lost way of life – a way of life that was simple, human, full of fun and merriment and never far from the thought of God. Hartigan stresses the central role of the “little Irish mother” who had such a deep influence on her family and children and through them on society at large. Although his humorous pen doesn’t shy away from shining a light on some of the faults of his people, he always does so in a gentle, respectful way, and we sense that his sympathy is in no way tarnished by it.
This edition of the collection contains a poetic introduction in the style of Father Hartigan and includes the following much-loved poems, among others:
- Around the Boree Log
- The Trimmin’s of the Rosary
- Said Hanrahan
- Tangmalangaloo
- Down at Casey’s after Mass
- Vale, Father Pat
- The Church upon the Hill
- The Old Mass Shandrydan
- A Stranger in the Church
Paperback, size 8" x 5.25", 184 pages
by Fr Francis J. Finn, S.J.
Join Tom Playfair in meeting a new boy who has just arrived at St. Maure's: Percy Wynn. Percy has grown up in a family of 10 girls and only 1 boy—himself! His manners are formal, he talks like a book, and he has never done anything remotely athletic. Yet he has brains, courage, and high Catholic ideals. Tom and his pals at St. Maure's befriend Percy and have a lively time as they all chip in to help turn Percy into a well-rounded, all-American Catholic boy. Father Francis Finn, S.J., was an early 20th century Jesuit priest who wrote delightful children's stories about life in Jesuit boarding schools. Taken from his years of experience teaching Catholic boys, Father Finn writes about various human personalities with warmth and humor that makes for enjoyable reading for all types.
Paperback, size 7" x 4.25", 248 pages
by Rev. William R. Kelly
Instructions in Story Form for Use in the Primary Grades
Follow Tom and Ann as they learn about the Sacraments from their Uncle John. What is grace, and how do we get it? And how do the Sacraments help us? What are the outward signs of each Sacrament? Find the answers to these questions and more in Our Sacraments.
Paperback, size 8" x 5.25", 130 pages
by Fr Francis J. Finn, S.J.
Tragedy strikes for Bobby Vernon and his mother on their journey through California, when a sudden earthquake separates them. Thanks to the kindness of strangers, each finds the assistance needed to forge ahead with their lives, but neither can truly rest until they find one another...or find what the other’s fate was. Much that is good happens along the way...but what will the future hold for them?
Paperback, size 5.5" x 8.5", 164 pages
by Rev. Henry S. Spalding, S.J.
Young Raymond Bolt accidentally ends up in Kentucky after hiding in a freight car, and finds himself among the Bell family near Withrose Creek during Maple Sugaring season. He, Leo and Hunter spend a season together learning many new and unexpected ways to help the Bell family farm.
Suggested Age Range:9-15
Paperback, size 8" x 5", 188 pages
by Rev. Henry S. Spalding, S.J.
The year is 1669. In French colonial Quebec, Paul Guibeau has won fame for his bravery in fighting the Iroquois, and now he hopes to turn this success into a military career. When he overhears Count Frontenac commissioning Louis Joliet to chart the location of a fabled island in Lake Superior containing a rich supply of copper, Paul is determined to achieve glory by being the first to return with news of this mineral wealth. He sets off in a race across the wilderness with his friend and ally, a Huron Indian named Red Bear, in search of this island…but he does not count on the incursions of the Miami Indians into the lands now vacated by the fierce Iroquois. An unexpected struggle for freedom and for life itself now stands between him and his dreamed-of glory...
This book is the first of a pair that follow the discoveries of Marquette and Joliet in the 17th century. In The Race for Copper Island, we find Joliet and his companions setting off westward into the upper Great Lakes, in search of rich copper deposits that had been reported by missionaries in that region. At a Jesuit Mission near Sault Sainte Marie, Joliet meets with Father Marquette, whose observations and detailed maps of the shores of Lake Superior prove invaluable to his quest. At the same time, Father Marquette tells Joliet of his great desire to explore the Great River the natives have told him of—a river they call the Mississippi—the fulfillment of which will follow in the next volume, The Marks of the Bear Claws.
Paperback, size 8.5" x 5.5", 150 pages
by Rev. Henry S. Spalding, S.J.
When the doctor declares that Florian Bell’s health is in serious danger, he is sent from his home in Milwaukee to stay with his cousins Hunter and Leo on the banks of Withrose Creek in Kentucky. There he learns how to fish, hunt, and lay snares…but the boys’ favorite pastime is trying to unravel the mystery of the old mill...what will its secrets unfold? What is Bob Lindon hiding there? And will the mysterious night riders manage to make good their threats against the Bell farm? Only time will tell...
Suggested Age Range:9-15
Paperback, size 8.5" x 5.5", 200 pages
by Rev. Henry S. Spalding, S.J.
Five boys. Five weeks camping in the pine forests of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. What could go wrong?
Walter Stanley’s eccentric bachelor uncle has offered to take him and a chosen friend on the adventure of a lifetime. Only it’s too hard to choose just one friend! So along come Ferdinand Eggert with his wireless radio, a persistent John Newell (who insists on paying his own way) and the perennially cheerful Carroll Cage…plus a newcomer to tag along as cook. But before they’ve even arrived at their destination, it becomes clear that one of the boys is a thief…how will they discover the culprit?
Paperback, size 8.5" x 5.5", 154 pages
The Voyage of the Pax
An Allegory
by Dom Bede Camm, O.S.B.
In writing this allegory to help explain the religious life to the boy oblates in his charge, Dom Bede drew upon the struggles he experienced during his conversion, as well as an experience from his Oxford years, when shipwrecked off the coast of Spain. Left clinging to the wreckage along with his fellow passengers for 17 hours, upon being rescued, he decided to consecrate his life to the service of God in thanksgiving.
The Voyage of the PAX, then, is a thrilling seafaring allegory portraying the journey of life, with its many threats to our souls, as a voyage of several young men, crossing the high seas to reach their home in the Golden City. They must work hard and make difficult decisions in order to pass the straits of Mors and enter into the haven of Æternitas.
This story is a perfect follow-up for those who loved Mother Mary Loyola's The King of the Golden City.
Paperback, size 8.5" x 5.5", 72 pages
by Fr Francis J. Finn, S.J.
Young Harry Dee arrives at St. Maure's thin and pale from his painful experiences involving the murder of his rich uncle. In this last book of the three, Tom and Percy help Harry recover from his early trauma--which involves solving "the mystery of Tower Hill Mansion." After many wild experiences, the three boys graduate from St. Maure's and head toward the life work to which God is calling each of them as young men.
Paperback, size 7" x 4.25", 284 pages
by Fr Raymond J O'Brien
Frank "Red" Devlin is the best fighter in town--trouble is, he's always getting into scraps over something or other. He just can't stand being teased. He even bristles when his friend, Lieutenant Carroll, spots him smoking and playing craps with Clyde White and Bert Stone, and takes him to task for it. Red wants to be good, honest, but events just always seem to conspire against him. Will he learn to hold his own in the face of peer pressure, or will he give in and go along, even when he knows it's wrong?
From the author of Brass Knuckles and Midget comes this third novel, Nice Going, Red, a coming-of-age drama about a boy who has what it takes to make a great young man...but when it comes to his fear of looking foolish, he always seems to give in and take the easy road.
Paperback, size 8.5" x 5.5", 290 pages
by Fr Raymond J O'Brien
Midget is used to being on his own: after an accident took the lives of his mother and two sisters, neither his father nor his aunt has had much time for him. Left to his own devices, he has managed to develop quite a talent for petty theft. But when his father is killed by a rival gang while secretly delivering beer to speakeasies, his thoughts are filled only with getting revenge at all costs. Will Speed and the boys from St. Leo's be able to save him from himself.
The second book in an action-packed series written by a Chicago priest who was chaplain at the County Jail in the 1930s, boys will love the story of Midget and his friends at the Catholic school who are not willing to turn their backs on him.
Suggested Age Range:9-15
Paperback, size 8.5" x 5.5", 194 pages
by Fr Raymond J O'Brien
Speed Austin never meant to get in trouble, but it seems to follow him wherever he goes. Yet, even though he’s part of the playground gang of toughs, the boys from St. Leo’s are desperate for a shortstop to take the place of Bud Philips—and Speed is the best candidate they can find. Speed jumps at the chance to get away from the fast life, but the gang wants him back, and they’re out to show him what happens to members that try to “quit.” Will Jack and the other Catholic school boys manage to help save him, or is it too late?
Written in 1930 by a Chicago Priest who served as chaplain at the County Jail and knew the difficulties faced by boys growing up in the big city, this thrilling story is newly illustrated by Erin Bartholomew.
Suggested Age Range:9-15
Paperback, size 8.5" x 5.5", 188 pages
by Rev. Henry S. Spalding, S.J.
During his months in the Everglades, Phil Reed's imagination was captured by tales of a Spaniard's lost chest of gold. Back home, he and his friends can think of nothing else but returning to search for this treasure. When Mark Green, a friend of the Reed family, plans a trip to the 'Glades to stake out territory for a future plantation, he decides to take the boys with him as his helpers, and give them the opportunity to fulfill their dreams of finding the lost gold. But there's nothing like a search for gold to bring out the best and worst in people...and the boys find themselves in greater danger than they had expected. Will they find the gold, and if so, will the dark side of human nature ruin their best intentions?
Suggested Age Range: 9 - 15 years
Paperback, size 8.5" x 5.5", 184 pages
by Rev. Henry S. Spalding, S.J.
During his months in the Everglades, Phil Reed's imagination was captured by tales of a Spaniard's lost chest of gold. Back home, he and his friends can think of nothing else but returning to search for this treasure. When Mark Green, a friend of the Reed family, plans a trip to the 'Glades to stake out territory for a future plantation, he decides to take the boys with him as his helpers, and give them the opportunity to fulfill their dreams of finding the lost gold. But there's nothing like a search for gold to bring out the best and worst in people...and the boys find themselves in greater danger than they had expected. Will they find the gold, and if so, will the dark side of human nature ruin their best intentions?
Suggested Age Range:9-15
Paperback, size 8.5" x 5.5", 214 pages
by Nancy Carpentier Brown
Summer vacation turns into an adventure for the three Nicholl sisters when Mr. Gilbert Chesterton and his wife come to town.
Eleven-year-old Clare hopes to write a detective story. Eight-year-old Cece wants to be a champion roller-skater. And ten-year-old Joan just wants to learn how to play the locked piano in the family living room.
But as they befriend the Chestertons, skating accidents, surprising friendships, puppet shows, and mystery solving ensue!
Paperback, size 8.25" x 5.75, 134 pages
by Fr Francis J. Finn, S.J.
Michael Desmond is “That Office Boy” to Father Carney, president of St. Xavier’s School in Cincinnati. When the Young Ladies’ Sodality decides to enter a popularity contest with the local paper to win a piano, chaos ensues, and it is up to Michael and his friends to use their wits and creativity to carefully steer the boat off the shoals. Find out who wins and how!
Paperback, size 5.5" x 8.5", 214 pages
by Fr Francis J. Finn, S.J.
Bob Ryan has a way with animals. For that matter, he has a way with everyone! It’s hard to believe that his own father could have cruelly abandoned this boy to shift for himself. But Bob has no trouble making friends with everyone he meets, and with their help, he is able to make his way in the world quite well. Is he lucky, or have all his sufferings simply perfected love through adversity?
Paperback, size 5.5" x 8.5", 212 pages
by Fr Francis J. Finn, S.J.
In this sequel to Lucky Bob, Bob Ryan’s fortunes have changed this year and he is now one of the top students at St. Xavier’s School in Cincinnati. But his personality is as magnetic as it ever was, and he wisely uses his influence over others to quell petty rivalries and help those in need. But the mystery of his abandonment by his father is still unsolved, and when jealous tongues begin to wag, Bob feels it deeply. Have all his efforts been in vain? With no family and no money, what will the future hold for our friendly hero?
Paperback, size 5.5" x 8.5", 220 pages