The Sign of the Carved Cross - Lisa M. Hendey and Jenn Bower - Chime Travelers Book 2

The Sign of the Carved Cross
Chime Travelers Book 2
Lisa M. Hendey
Jenn Bower (Illustrator)
Servant Books a division of
Franciscan  Media
ISBN 9781616368487

In the same week that I finished this book I read Saint Kateri Tekakwitha: Courageous Faith by Lillian M Fisher, part of the Encounter the Saints series. Both are excellent reads. My daughter and I read this book together and then read the Fisher one right after. We loved this book and have developed a devotion to Saint Kateri through these books. This was the third book in this series that my oldest and I have read together. This time she read more than I did, which with a reluctant reader is truly a blessing. She loved this story and often asked for an extra chapter and went beyond our required daily reading time.

I will be honest and say that neither my daughter nor I really knew much about St. Kateri before we began reading this book. When we got to the section at the end of the book about the real Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, and especially the mention of her ending up near Montreal Canada my daughter immediately wanted to know more. This book like the others in the series we have read does a great job of making the saints real. It brings to life the life, times and struggles of ST. Kateri in a very vivid way. And having a young girl travel in time and spend time with a real saint really challenged and encouraged my daughter.

My daughter relished the experience of watching Katie transported in time and place to live with a saint. Her favorite part of the book was Katie's realization that she herself had not been so nice at home before this adventure began; and her commitment to do better going forward. My daughter also realized how much our words and actions can impact others, even when we do not see it.

For me I love the concept of the series; children who are travel in time, when the bells of their church ring. Each time they travel, they is a lesson they need to learn so that when they come back they can have a different impact on their family, school, parish or circle of friends. And in this book the lessons of compassion, living to serve, and personal time in prayer were brought home wonderfully.

There is a prayer at the end of the book:
"Collect of the Mass in honor of St. Kateri Tekakwitha from the Roman Missal:
Lord God, you called the virgin St. Kateri Tekakwitha, to shine among the American Indian people as an example of innocence of life. Through her intercession, may all peoples of every tribe, tongue and nation, having been gathered into Your Church, proclaim your greatness in one song of praise. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen."
And my daughter and I have rayed it together a number of times since finishing the book. 

This was the third book by Lisa M. Hendey that I have read. My oldest and I loved it and now we are reading it to my younger two children. Lisa Hendey is an editor and one of the founders at CatholicMom.com she has written numerous books, fiction and non-fiction, and also contributed to a number of other books. I started with the fifth book in this series as a teat and have gone back and am now reading them with my children in order. Our whole family love the numerous illustrations by Jenn Bower, in this book and in the whole series. The illustrations are fun and add to the story. 

This is a great read and part of an excellent series. It teaches good lessons without being preachy. It helps children come to their own conclusions, and I can say that for my oldest it has inspired change in her life. My oldest and I both recommended this book for the whole family.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2017 Catholic Reading Plan!

Books by Lisa M. Hendey:
The Handbook for Catholic Moms
A Book of Saints for Catholic Moms
The Grace of Yes: Eight Virtues for Generous Living
O Radiant Dawn: 5-Minute Prayers Around the Advent Wreath
As Morning Breaks: Daily Gospel Reflection.
I Am God's Storyteller 
...

Chime Travelers Series:
The Secret of the Shamrock
The Sign of the Carved Cross
The Whisper in the Ruins
The Mystery at Midnight
The Strangers at the Manger

Contributed to:
Beautiful Mercy

Beautiful Eucharist
Small Steps for Catholic Moms
The Catholic Baby Name Book
One Body, Many Blogs: A Guide for Christian Bloggers
The Catholic Mom S Prayer Companion: A Book of Daily Reflections
The Church and New Media