Book Reviews and More: Saint Thomas More Courage, Conscience, and the King - Susan Helen Wallace, Patricia Edward Jablonski and Dani Lachuk

Wednesday, 15 September 2021

Saint Thomas More Courage, Conscience, and the King - Susan Helen Wallace, Patricia Edward Jablonski and Dani Lachuk - Encounter the Saints Series Book 33

Saint Thomas More

Courage, Conscience, and the King

Encounter the Saints Series Book 33

Susan Helen Wallace
Patricia Edward Jablonski
Dani Lachuk (Illustrator)

Pauline Books and Media
ISBN 9780819890214

eISBN 9780819890221

ASIN B07PDSK76H

I need to state clearly again that this series is amazing! Between my three children and I we have now read 29 of the books in this series. Either by myself, or with one or more child. My youngest 2 children ages 13, 10, still love these books. My son wants to have the complete set in his room, so he keeps asking to buy his own set, because he loves these books so much. My starting to read this one again, has inspired him to start reading them again. With each of the books we read we appreciate this series more. And we hope there will be even more books in the future. But now back to this specific book on Saint Thomas More.

This book is a very moving read. I have read much the last few years on the English Martyrs and a few books about More. And yet even with those other books having been read I truly enjoyed this volume.

The chapters in this volume are:

1. Beginnings

2. The Scholar

3. Soul Searching

4. Jane

5. New Expectations

6. An Urgent Need

7. Winds of Change

8. God First

9. Golden Days

10. Keeping the Peace

11. One Courageous Voice

12. The Undoing of Wolsey

13. Dilemma

14. Lord Chancellor

15. England in Turmoil

16. Decisions

17. Paying the Price

18. Prisoner

19. Attempts to Persuade

20. On Trial

21. Waiting. . .

22. The Journey Home

Prayer

Glossary

The book follows like others in the series. It tells the story, contains several drawings, a glossary and a prayer. Often when I read about saints I am encouraged and challenged. At that was the case again with reading this volume on More. The description of this book is:

“Capturing a glimpse into the life of a Catholic torn between his faith and duty to his country, this 33rd volume in the Encounter the Saints series familiarizes children 9-12 with the life story of Saint Thomas More. He is a timely example for young people in the current culture that is often contrary to the teachings of the Church. With his assistance, children will be inspired and encouraged to stand up for their faith in all situations, regardless of the sacrifice.”

His example is one that is greatly needed today, For the children for whom the book is intended. For those who read it to or with them. Or for us older folks who have stumbled upon the book or series. It does an excellent job of showing the life of this man to young readers.

This is one of the eight books in the series that is written by Susan Helen Wallace.It is one of three co-written by Patricia Edward Jablonski. As well it is one of two in the series illustrated by Dani Lachuk. There are 5 illustrations sprinkled throughout the book. They are all high detail full page drawings. Particularly powerful are the illustrations of his wife’s first visit to him in jail, or him on the scaffolding as he is about to be executed.

Between 2017 and 2019 I read 28 of the 38 volumes in this series if you include The Saints Pray for Us And I reviewed many of them. I had planned on reading them all but they fell off my radar. This past year I reread one as it was the saint my son picked for his confirmation saint, Saint Ignatius of Loyola For the Greater Glory of God, it reminded me how good the series was and I committed to finishing reading and reviewing them.

At this time when I read this I was both encouraged and challenged. I loved this book, and three of my children and I love this series! We have now read 29 of the books in the Encounter the Saints Series from Pauline Books and Media, some of them several times over. And everyone has been worth the read. Another wonderful read in an excellent series! I highly recommend the book and the series.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2021 Catholic Reading Plan!

Encounter the Saints Series from Pauline Books and Media: