Summer Reading for Catholic Children and Teens
Children benefit in many ways from reading for pleasure over the summer. Reading, writing and doing math over breaks helps reduce learning loss between classes. Not only do they keep up their reading skills, but they also have the opportunity to learn something new. There are many great options out there for child and young adult literature. Messages related to morals but rooted in adventure are the best kinds to engage children. Here are a few books and series we recommend:
Who is Jesus? His Life, His Land, His Time
This picture book for young children provides answers to questions about Jesus’s grandparents and house, what disciples wore and ate, what the Jerusalem Temple looked like, what kind of fish Peter caught, and more. By reading this book, your child can also learn about feast days, the Jewish faith, and the significance of all the women in Jesus’s life.
The Chime Travelers Series
These five adventure books about time travel take twins Patrick and Katie to places like fifth-century Ireland and 1675 Native American villages, where they meet saints like Patrick, Kateri, Francis and Clare. During their journeys, they learn lessons that apply directly to their modern lives. Each book includes prayers and short biographies of each state. The author, Lisa Hendey, also runs a website called CatholicMom.com that provides advice for Catholic parents.
Ronald West, Loner
A 14-year-old boy named Ronald struggles to make friends and lives a rough life at home with his twin brothers. While his father’s away, it becomes difficult for him to avoid his brothers’ schemes. Peter, another child from school, helps him escape his reality. Always a loner, he’s not sure if he can trust this neighbor of his who inherited a mysterious, locked box that may have the power to change his life. This book was a 2nd place winner of 2016 Catholic Press Association Teen and YA Book Award.
The Lorax
“I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees,” is the famous quote you’ve likely heard from this Dr. Seuss classic. This beloved book is perfectly palatable for younger children but can teach any child about the importance of protecting the environment. While not spiritual in nature, this book and others by the same author provide a whimsical twist on important life lessons.
Books can teach children important lessons, from facts about saints to ethics and morals. At Brevard Catholic schools, we challenge students to be creative and critical thinkers who integrate faith, moral leadership, and compassionate service to make a better world. Through a low student-teacher ratio, classroom technology, and a variety of enrichment activities, we strive to inspire excellence in our students. Contact us to learn more!