Saint Training

About This Book

Saint Training by Elizabeth Fixmer is about a sixth-grade little girl named Mary Claire O’brian, in the late 1960’s, who wants to be a saint when she grows up, but her prayers don't seem to be working. Her family cannot pay their bills, her mother is losing faith, and her brother got drafted to go to the Vietnam War. Mary Claire O’brian writes a letter to a convent asking to join after 8th grade before she starts liking boys. Mary wanted all the boys to know she wanted to be God’s bride. Mary continued to struggle with the embarrassment of her family’s poverty. Mary wondered how she would become a saint with all the turmoil surrounding her.

Genre

Historical fiction

Importance

It is important for children to read about young children of the same age as them that have morals. In the world we live in today, children have unlimited access to the internet with an abundance of inappropriate material. It’s refreshing to read a book that exhibits morals and innocence.

Discussion Questions  

• How do you feel about a young child wanting to be in a convent?
• Do you think Mary should be embarrassed about her family’s poverty?
• How would you feel if your loved one got drafted to a war?
• Do you believe in miracles?

Activities for the Children

• Have the children write a list of good deeds they can do to become a saint.
• Have the children get into groups of two or three and have them write down one positive thing about each member in the group and give it to them.
• Have the children write a letter of appreciation for the men and women who fight to protect our country.

If you enjoyed this book, you will also enjoy Down from the Mountain by Elizabeth Fixmer.

Fixmer, E. (2010). Saint Training. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zonderkidz.