Literature

Amata Means Beloved

Book cover: 'Amata Means Beloved'
Author(s): 
Sister Mary Catharine Perry, O.P.
Number of pages: 
108 pages
Copyright: 
2003
ISBN: 
0595300243
Publisher: 
iUniverse
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Catholic Fiction
Grade / Age level: 
High School
Review: 
Sister has given us a beautiful look behind the closed doors of a cloistered convent in this little gem set in post 9-11 America. It is the story of a young woman who feels called to religious life but struggles to understand God's workings. This woman had been discerning her vocation to religious life when her life is shattered by the death of her brother, a seminarian, who is killed by terrorists. She has been unable to get over the loss of this beloved brother and although she wants to, cannot forgive the men that killed him.

She enters the convent as planned and the struggle to come to terms with her grief blends with her journey to find her place in the community of sisters. Her superior gives her the religious name of Amata because she wants the woman to know that she is beloved of God.

When the convent is gifted with a really fine bell, the rest of the monastery rejoices. Sister Amata, however, reveals that her brother had been the bell ringer at the seminary and she hates the idea of hearing the bells ring at the convent. However, not only must she hear the bells and be reminded of the pain of losing her brother, the novice mistress assigns her the job of actually ringing the Angelus bell. As she conquers her fear of the bell, she finally accepts God's will and the death of her brother, and is able to forgive his killers. This is stated so simply here, but Sister Catharine's writing is very moving. I cried through the whole last half of the book. She captures the movement of the heart as it leaves itself and the world and turns to God.

While the story of the young woman's conversion is lovely, one of the best things about this book is the view of religious life. The nuns order pizza or ice cream on special occasions, have talent shows, and work with sheep. Their conversations over the cleaning of the wool are joyful and witty. One of the nuns even translates documents for the Holy Father.

Sister Mary Catharine distributes this book to young women who might be interested in a religious vocation to give them a perspective on the life. However, this would be a good book for a high school girl to read whether she is considering a vocation or not.

Perspective: 
Catholic
Reviewed by: 
Margot Davidson
First reviewed: 
4-29-04

Andries

Book cover: 'Andries'
Author(s): 
Hilda Van Stockum
Number of pages: 
198 pages
Copyright: 
1942
Publisher: 
Bethlehem Books
Binding: 
Sewn Softcover
Sample Pages
Subject(s): 
Family Stories
Grade / Age level: 
Elementary
Review: 
Yet another delightful story to read aloud with your family from one of my very favorite authors. Andries is a troublesome 10 year old orphan who comes to live with his bachelor uncle in a large lonely house near the Dykstra home (which is quite the opposite - small and overflowing with children). Although his reputation as a troublemaker precedes him and is firmly cemented in the townspeople's heads, the Dykstras, who are less quick to judge, discover that he is really kind-hearted, but lonely. Their friendship helps to build his confidence and cut down on his mischief and help him develop a happy relationship with his uncle.

Reviewed by: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
11-6-99

Angel in the Waters

Book cover: Angel in the Waters
Author(s): 
Regina Doman
Illustrator(s): 
Ben Hatke
Number of pages: 
48 pages
Copyright: 
2004
ISBN: 
9781928832812
Publisher: 
Sophia Institute Press
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Catholic Stories
Fiction
Resource Type: 
Supplement
Review: 

Inspirational! Impressive! Instructional!

This picture book has a beautiful pro-life lesson for the very youngest among us to the oldest. It tells the story of a baby from conception through birth and into infancy without any details that will require further explanation to our little ones. Told in the first person, the text is brief and easy to read but contains far more depth than most picture books. Simple yet engaging artwork, with peaceful colors and a dreamlike quality, compliments the text. Even my 4-year-old noticed that at the baby's birth, the page backgrounds changed from dark to bright white; while I don't think that he recognizes the symbolism yet, it certainly captured his attention.

Without directly teaching, the author skillfully reminds us that life begins in the womb, with baby aware of sounds and light and warmth. The baby's guardian angel, depicted as a star rather than the traditional winged creature, is more spiritual than physical and accompanies baby from conception onward. The angel is intelligent and gentle while guiding and reassuring baby, hinting at eternal life beyond this earthly one.

My single regret is that this book is only available in a softcover binding. Destined to become a classic, it should be available bound in a durable hardcover.

Perspective: 
Catholic
Additional notes: 

Additional Comments: My children fell in love with this book the minute they saw it. Down to my toddler they were enchanted with the beautiful, realistic illustrations and the simple, charming text. My seven year old loves how easy it is to read - she returns to it over and over again. I love the beautiful implicit message about the sanctity and fragility of life.- A.V.H. (2-23-05)

Reviewed by: 
Susan Kalis
First reviewed: 
2-23-05

Angus and the Ducks

Author(s): 
Marjorie Flack
Number of pages: 
32 pages
Copyright: 
1930
Binding: 
Other
Subject(s): 
Stories for Children
Grade / Age level: 
Grades K-2
Resource Type: 
Picture Books
Review: 
Angus is a little Scottish terrier who is terribly curious about everything - especially a noise coming from the other side of the large green hedge. One day, when "the door between outdoors and indoors was left open by mistake" he goes exploring to discover what makes that noise. His adventures are very cute, my children love hearing the sounds made by Angus and by the ducks. The text is very short and simple, but the real beauty is in the language which has a charming and humorous flow to it - it is perfect for reading aloud to little ones.. When my son was three and tired of me reading so many long books to his older sister, this one really helped him start to enjoy stories.
Additional notes: 

Various editions available

Reviewed by: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
1998-99

Anno's Counting Book

Book cover: Anno's Counting Book
Author(s): 
Mitsumasa Anno
Number of pages: 
32 pages
Copyright: 
1975
ISBN: 
9780590446754
Publisher: 
Harper Trophy
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Math
Fiction
Grade / Age level: 
Preschool
Review: 

This is a charming Counting Book with a colorful two page spread for each number from zero through twelve. The pictures show the beginnings of a town. For zero, you see a snowy field with a river running through it. The next page has one house built, one snowman, one person skiing, one pine tree, one crow, one dog, etc. Each month another building is added as more people come to the town. Young children, who often enjoy small details in pictures, can find how many things on each page can be counted up to the same number. Some of the details are quite creative, such as the clock on the church showing the appropriate time for the particular page.

Reviewed by: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
3-25-2000

Between the Forest and the Hills

Book cover: 'Between the Forest and the Hills'
Author(s): 
Ann Lawrence
Number of pages: 
247 pages
Copyright: 
1977
Publisher: 
Bethlehem Books
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Miscellaneous Fiction
Grade / Age level: 
High School
Review: 
Described as "a historical fantasy", this story is about the Roman town of Iscium, located in western Britain. As the Roman influence and protection disappears, the town leadership bends over backwards to stay out of the limelight and avoid trouble with the Saxons.

When Falx, a young orphan disillusioned with the prospects of life in his brother's household decides to runaway to Rome (under the influence of a talking raven!) "trouble" becomes unavoidable. He befriends a lost Saxon girl and meets up with a strange but benevolent merchant who plays a significant role in the adventures awaiting the town. I found parts of the book to be exceedingly funny (particularly a scene involving a bishop, some bees and some rather superstitious Saxons), but the more subtle humor would probably be best appreciated by the somewhat "well-read" high schooler, rather than the reluctant reader.
Reviewed by: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
11-6-99

Blue Willow

Book cover: 'Blue Willow'
Author(s): 
Doris Gates
Number of pages: 
154 pages
Copyright: 
1940
Publisher: 
Scholastic
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
History
Fiction
Setting: 
the Great Depression
Grade / Age level: 
Elementary
Review: 
Blue Willow is the sweet story of ten-year-old Janey Larkin, whose family is struggling to make ends meet in California's Central Valley during the Great Depression. Janey and her family have a few treasured possessions which they've dragged along with them from place to place because of the difficulties in finding work. Janey's beautiful blue willow plate is her greatest treasure, but when tough times get worse, she decides to offer it as payment for her family's rent...

This is a beautiful story of family life in difficult times which also offers a portrait of the Great Depression and some lesser-known parts of "old" California. The story will probably be best appreciated (possibly as a read-aloud) for grades 1-4.

Reviewed by: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
10-21-03

Brave New World

Author(s): 
Aldous Huxley
Number of pages: 
180 pages
Copyright: 
1932
Publisher: 
Various Publishers
Subject(s): 
Literature
Classic Literature
Grade / Age level: 
Mature Teens
Adults
Review: 
Free love, birth control, test tube baby factories, cloning, mutants, and sex, sex, sex. There are good reasons to have your mature students read this book, but you must do YOUR homework and read it first. Huxley, writing during the giddy early days of the eugenics movement, has written a remarkable novel. His story portrays that movement's ideas taken to their logical consequences. There is a complete disconnect between sex and procreation. Sex is STRICTLY for pleasure (not even for unity). Babies are 'decanted' in factories by impressive scientific processes. His story speaks on many levels. His brilliance is in deducing the way in which men could rationalize what unfolds before the reader as a revolting world pretty much at peace with its incredibly selfish self. Huxley has developed what could be our future. He has taken more than a little thought to account for the sustainability of this world. As in our own world, there are occupations which require more and less intellectual acuity. By decanting babies of different intellectual ability AND training them differently everyone should be happy in their station. Some embryos are given all the benefits during development and become "alphas". Some are given less than perfect treatment and become "betas"... And some, by selective poisoning and light deprevation etc. become epsilons (semi-morons, but therefore happy in their lowly functions in society). Everyone enjoys sex, so everyone is conditioned from day one to be 'free-lovers'. And since babies are decanted no one has to carry or care for offspring (the words "mother" and "father" have become foul language!). This is clearly the natural consequences of a society which wants to divorce sex from procreation. Thirty years after Huxley wrote the book mainstream society was just picking up on the theme. This selfishness steamrolled into abortion. In Huxley's world this is no longer necessary (usually). But for those who are not sterilized at birth (some fresh eggs are needed to keep the factories going) contraceptives (and strong conditioning to use them faithfully) are provided. This brave new world has even done away with money. In fact, there is a much more direct transaction on payday - as the workers leave their place of employment on Friday they are given their payment/ration of soma - the perfect drug with no hangover or anything!!! Huxley nails it again. Such a selfish society needs an escape - it is drugs. Did he see the 60's coming or what? And is he right about where we are headed? But not everyone is happy. There is an "odd" fellow in the book. He just doesn't feel satisfied even with every thing one could lust for (an alpha of course). Huxley's world even has a place for him. He gets exiled with all the other misfits to Greenland. There is more and more and more in this book. It doesn't preach about the evils of contraception, of free-love, of drugs etc. It simply displays them and their consequences without remorse. In doing so, even in the best of circumstances, their evils are laid bare. And in this way the book is both thought-provoking and good for discussions. But there is more. Huxley has wrapped many layers into this book. The story is sickeningly believable on it's surface. But he has put in symbolism and allusions to many more things that I cannot even begin to tell here. See this article from Envoy Magazine for examples. Or consider how peace is obtained by making men LESS than full men. One more note. To return to the admonition that you read this book before your child; there is a lot of sex in this book. That can be difficult for any teenager. However, when the student is prepared to look seriously and critically at the messages in the book this should not be a problem. Huxley does not aim to arouse but to inform. Click Here for Study Questions
Additional notes: 
While some might suggest that this book belongs on our "Red Flag List", we think it should suffice to warn parents that this book is for mature readers and to highly recommend, if not insist, that parents read this book before giving it to their children (in order to determine whether their children are ready to handle the content and be prepared for some heavy-duty discussions of sexual ethics.) Our Study Questions will also give parents an idea of the scope and content of what this book delves into.
Reviewed by: 
John Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
9-10-2001

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