Olivia and the Little Way

This book was absolutely amazing. My husband and I were looking for books for our children as they grow older, and my husband’s Goddaughter, and this book is ABSOLUTELY perfect. What a beautiful way to exemplify St. Therese and her “little way”, while relating to real life situations that children can experience. This book is beyond amazing, and if you are thinking about buying this… PLEASE do it, you will not regret it.In fact… My husband started reading it out loud to me, and after he finished the first chapter, I asked him to keep going because it was SO good. We did not stop reading from there, and 2 adults, thoroughly enjoyed it❤️

Author, Nancy Belanger, knows that on some level, we ALL (preteens, teens, and even adults) struggle to fit in. We wonder what everyone expects from us, how to act in certain situations, and yes, often cave to satisfy the "popular norm" even though it may not be our personal choice.These little occurrences happen daily and we feel the stress of being true to our self and to our faith. "OLIVIA AND THE LITTLE WAY" (and don't miss it's sequel, "OLIVIA'S GIFT") take us on that journey with a young girl tempted as we all are, by the many material things life has to offer. She learns that some things, and some people, aren't as she thought ... thought of as friends. How does she [we] find the right path and, more challenging, the strength to walk it!"OLIVIA" books will empower you to choose that path and the books are a delight to read. Entertaining and exciting with a story that conveys such a powerful message in such a subtle "little way." Tweens won't be able to put it down as each adventure draws them to the next chapter and they feel and see so much of themselves in Olivia and so much parallel in the daily pressures of growing up. Teen and adult readers will also be reminded by this delightful novel to choose their path wisely.Highly recommend this book and the sequel, "Olivia's Gift"Give a gift that's entertaining, fun, exciting, and adventurous mixed with a dose of faith, morals, values, and strength of character. Build a better tomorrow, one reader at a time! Enjoy and thank you Nancy for these treasures.

I bought this book for my 5th grade daughter. She likes to read in half-hour sessions, but she ignored her timer and kept reading this book. She literally could not put it down. Intrigued, I picked it up, and before I knew it, it was after midnight. I finished it the next day. This book is the rare combination of a compelling story with realistic characters that teaches a lesson without being preachy. Even though 5th grade is a distant memory, I related to the struggles Olivia experienced while trying to practice St. Therese's "Little Way". Olivia even goes through a period of spiritual dryness, a topic not usually addressed in books for young girls. This book has motivated me to finally pick up my copy of St. Therese's autobiography so that I can learn more about the Little Way and how to practice it in my daily life. I can't wait for the sequel so that my daughter and I can read more about Olivia and her spiritual struggles and triumphs.

My twelve year old daughter read this so quickly and absolutely loved it. I was happy to find a book suited to her that was wholesome and spiritual and still held her interest. I am getting her the other Olivia book by the same author for Christmas.

I love to read but I have have never written a review before. However, I just finished reading this book with my eight year old daughter and felt absolutley compelled to write about it! BOTH of my daughters (I also have an 11-year old) and I LOVED IT! While being an interesting story about the challenges of life for a fifth grade girl at a new school, it is also a great look at how to incorporate St. Therese's "Liitle Way" into everyday life, especially for a school age girl. It very cleverly weaves in the stories of personal challenges told by St. Therese herself in her autobiography "Story of a Soul". I am so greateful to have found a book for my tween daughters that is interesting, innocent, sweet, and yet very real.

This book is WONDERFUL!! I have nothing but praise for it. Olivia (the main character) is a 5th grader, but my daughter (just completed 2nd grade) just read it and I do not think it was above her at all. It deals with social interaction and peer pressure - especially at school and in dealing with different types of friends. It positively shows devotion to the Saints, faith in God, obedience to parents, and everyone's deepest desire to be loved. Our Catholic pediatrician recommended it and I cannot thank her enough! This is definitely going to be my "go to" for birthday presents and Christmas gifts for my nieces and nephews, younger cousins, and Godchildren.

I am always looking for excellent Christian books to recommend to my students and give as gifts. But so many are either too preachy or not well-written. Olivia and The Little Way surprised and delighted me! As an English teacher, I have always said that the test of a good children's book is that an ADULT will enjoy it. Both this book and its sequel, Olivia's Gift, kept me reading from cover to cover.As Secular Carmelite with a special affection for St. Therese, I not only enjoyed these books as "good reads," but I was blessed by them. The quotations from St. Therese's works at the beginning of each chapter were great -- a reminder of why Therese is my favorite saint.

The beautiful quotes of St Therese at the beginning of each chapter are excellent. I read this before giving it to my our 10 year old and we both loved it!

I bought this book as a gift for my daughter's First Communion and we read it together. As the story unfolded, we became more interested in what would happen next with Olivia. It's an uplifting story that doesn't shy away from the real temptations and failings of young primary school children. The ending is both realistic and beautiful.