I recently was given a copy of The Gift of Summer Snow: A Tale from the Garden of Mysteries
to read and review.
As a child I always loved mysteries… Some of my favorite books were The Mandie Collection, The Adventures of the Northwoods, and the Nancy Drew Books
. Even though they were great books, I am very happy to have some Catholic alternatives for my own children! (My boys received Lost in Peter’s Tomb
and Break-In at the Basilica
for Easter and are already enjoying them.)
The Gift of Summer Snow: A Tale from the Garden of Mysteries by Donna Alice Patton is a book that I am very much looking forward to sharing with my children. Especially my girls! It is a story about an eleven-year old Catholic home-educated girl, Becky McGuffey, who loves to grow flowers, especially roses since they remind her of her favorite saint. Any guesses on which saint that would be?! 😉 Yes, St. Therese, the Little Flower!
Becky has been working hard to get her roses ready for the upcoming junior garden show. She is hoping to win the grand prize so she can purchase a special gift for her grandmother. However, someone has been stealing her roses – specifically her prize-winning “Summer Snow” – and so she sets out to try and solve the mystery and catch the “rosenapper.” The series of events that follow ultimately lead Becky to grow in virtue, discover a new friend, and teach her what it means to imitate a saint.
I was also very pleased to see that there is a free Unit Study Guide by Donna Alice Patton also available for this book! I hope to complete it over the summer with my oldest daughter.
The Gift of the Summer Snow can be purchased at Amazon or directly from the publisher at Philothea Press. I am now looking forward to reading the author’s first book, Search for the Madonna
, which I recently purchased.
Prayer of Mothers
Father in heaven, grant me the grace to appreciate the dignity which you have conferred on me. Let me realize that not even the Angels have been blessed with such a privilege—to share in your creative miracle and bring new Saints to heaven. Make me a good mother to all my children after the example of Mary, the Mother of your Son. Through the intercession of Jesus and Mary I ask your continued blessings on my family. Let us all be dedicated to your service on earth and attain the eternal happiness of your kingdom in heaven. Amen.
Sounds interesting….I'm putting it on my list! (book want list that is)
Thanks for the recommendation. It sounds charming!
it's fun to learn about quality Catholic materials from a highly trusted source. Thanks for sharing your ideas, reviews, and blessedness with us all!
Thanks Jessica for the wonderful review! You did a beautiful job. Hope all your readers enjoy the book and the unit study guide. Any suggestions for improvement to the study guide are welcome! What did you wish I'd included that I didn't? Enjoy!
Thanks for the wonderful review of Donna's book. She is a super writer & deserves the praise. Blessings!
cb
htt://sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com/
The story sounds wonderful. Thanks Jessica, for the review. I am honored to name Donna a personal friend. She is a lovely lady and child of the King, and is an awesome writer. I can't wait to see what she comes out with next.
My good [email] friend, Donna, sent me your link to her book review. What a delightful review! I liked reading it, and [don't read this, Donna], I just packed my copy of Snow with my books that are going on our move. I haven't had a chance to read it yet, but I intend to!
(and you have a beautiful blog)
~ Susan Marlow
(the blog is for my book character. Sorry for any confusion)