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Steering teens toward entertaining yet edifying media is a challenge. In the case of movies and television programming, ratings can offer some indication of content. In the case of books, consumer reviews on retail sites offer some information. But in a culture that has normalized aberrant behavior and rejects many Catholic Christian values, even peer or parent reviews may not include the information about moral content that parents seek.
I recently selected a cute-looking Young Adult novel for myself. By the cover, book description, and reviews, it appeared to be a sweet romance. It was even compared to a popular romantic comedy of years past. While the romance between the main characters was, for the most part, innocent, I was surprised that no less than three minor characters were active homosexuals whose lifestyle was portrayed without any moral framework. In fact, the choice to pursue same-gender romantic relationships was met with no more than the bat of an eye.
One solution is for parents to personally review books before allowing their children to read them. This sounded like a workable solution until I had children. Four of them. Of both genders and with a decade between the oldest and youngest. While I do sometimes read the books that they are reading, I cannot possibly read ahead of each of them for the next dozen years. With somewhere between 600,000 and a million books published annually, what’s a parent to do?
CatholicTeenBooks.com is a new resource for teen readers, parents, catechists, homeschool co-ops, youth ministers, teachers and others. The site features information about direct links to exciting, well-crafted books that raise the heart and mind to God and reflect the fullness and beauty of the Catholic faith.
The site is organized by genre and includes a wide range of books in the following categories:
Among those, you’ll find suspense, romance, coming of age stories, and lives of the saints with age-appropriate themes including the power of intercessory prayer, the communion of saints, the Rosary, virtue, Theology of the Body, and respect for life at all ages and stages.
“Today more than ever, teens need to know they are beautiful and valuable creations of God,” said author of the contemporary Bird Face series Cynthia T. Toney. “Catholic fiction and nonfiction can show them.”
Rather than stuffy, dry stories of saccharine piety, readers will find lively stories that appeal to the modern reader addressing difficult issues such as suicide, abortion, grief, family relationships, disabilities, and dating, all informed by the light of faith.
“A growing number of Catholic authors are producing high quality fiction, as well as riveting non-fiction or fictionalized versions of historical people and events,” according to Stephanie Engelman, author of A Single Bead. “The goal of these authors is to teach as Christ taught - through stories. They take ordinary people, with ordinary lives and challenges, and write extraordinary stories meant to change hearts while teaching minds. While avoiding being preachy or didactic, these authors impart wisdom and support Catholic moral and social teaching.”
Many of the books included have been awarded the Catholic Writers Guild’s Seal of Approval. Several have also received awards from the Catholic Press Association as well as secular organizations. Some books are currently used in schools throughout the United States. All are available in both paperback and electronic format through Amazon.com and other retailers.
“An incredible amount of excitement surrounds this new website,” said Theresa Linden, author of the award-winning Roland West, Loner. “We hope to see it grow into something wonderful for God, helping young readers find books they will thoroughly enjoy and that support, rather than tear down their faith.”
As a parent of a young teen, I’m grateful for this new resource that will help to ensure that the books my children read and enjoy are not antithetical to our faith, but help to strengthen it instead.
In addition, this is a good resource for Authors. My book, Rightfully Ours, a coming-of-age Young Adult romance from Full Quiver Publishing will be Released: April 1, 2017. It will be available on Kindle and in paperback. http://www.carolynastfalk.com/carolyn-astfalk-author/books/rightfully-ours/
Carolyn Astfalk is a wife, mother, and author of contemporary Catholic romances, including the award-winning All in Good Time and Ornamental Graces. She formerly worked as a communications director and now works just to keep her head above water. Find her books on Amazon and her other words scattered around the blogosphere and social media.
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