In May, the "Get Caught Reading" campaign encourages people of all ages to read and be seen doing so.  

The "Get Caught Reading" campaign is an ongoing effort to encourage people of all ages to enjoy the pleasures of reading books. It was initiated in 1999 by the Association of American Publishers and is currently overseen by Every Child a Reader.  

Get Caught Reading Month is the perfect time for students and family members to explore the Catholic faith and Catechism through reading.  

There are numerous resources available for Catholic reading that cover a wide range of topics related to the Catholic faith, spirituality, theology, and more. Here are some recommendations for Catholic reading resources:  

For families  

1. Reading the Bible as a family builds a bond between all who take part in it, and naturally leads to important discussions about spiritual beliefs and how to live out the Catholic faith in daily life. Bible reading also exposes children to different cultures and helps them to appreciate the diversity represented by various biblical characters.  

2. Numerous Catholic websites and blogs provide articles, reflections, and resources on various aspects of the faith. Oftentimes these blogs also provide excellent ideas and resources for activities designed to enrich familial prayer life. Some popular ones include Catholic Mom Blog, Word on Fire, and Catholic Exchange.  

3. Reading about the saints is a wonderful way to introduce children to positive role models and teach them how to live their lives in service to God. Saints for Young Readers for Every Day, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, written by Susan Wallace and published by Pauline Books & Media, present a brief account of the saints, including individuals who lived from Biblical times to the 20th century, in different countries, and diverse circumstances. The illustrated series includes one or more biographies for every day of the year. This book series is a great resource for bedtime reading or daily reflection as a family.  

4. The Loyola Press offers The Sunday Connection program which provides useful background and activities to better understand the upcoming Sunday's Scripture readings, helping students to connect the Scripture to daily life in a meaningful way. On the Loyola Press website, The Sunday Connections are broken down by grade level for students in grades K-12, ensuring that the readings and connections are grade- and reading-level appropriate.  

For students in kindergarten through third grade  

1. The Superkids Reading Program designed by Zaner-Bloser for Catholic school students combines effective brain-based literacy instruction with engaging, character-based stories to build success—and helps teachers develop the whole child from head to heart. On their website, Zaner-Bloser provides free access to lessons about the 12 virtues, Catholic catechism, scripture, and information about the saints.  

2. To introduce young children to Jesus and the story of his birth, the picture book The Nativity (Ages 3–7) published by the Ascension Press is a great resource. The book stitches together the stories about the birth of Jesus in an engaging way. The book includes the stories of the Annunciation, the Visitation, all the way to the stable in Bethlehem and beyond, creating a space for children to encounter Jesus.  

3. To help young children understand the Mass, the board book Articles at Mass written by Ellen Tomaszewski and published by Etcetera Press LLC includes the names and descriptions of most items seen during a Roman Catholic Holy Mass. This book has large colored photographs of the items so any child can recognize and learn the names of articles used at Mass.  

For students in fourth through eighth grade  

1. Learning about the life and works of Jesus Christ is, of course, critical to understanding and living by the Catholic faith. As young learners read the Bible and explore Gospel readings, they will undoubtedly become curious about Jesus on a personal level:  Who was his family? What was his house like? What was daily life like when he was alive? Who Is Jesus?: His Life, His Land, His Time written by Gaelle Tertrais and published by ‎Magnificat-Ignatius answers all these questions about Jesus, and more.  

2. As children learn to pray, the book Jesus and Me: Talking with My Greatest Friend written by Melissa Kirking and published by the Ascension Press provides students with 80 prayer options that offer sweet, simple, and reassuring guidance for learning how to pray. It helps them understand how and why they should pray to their divine friend, Jesus.  

3. Learning about the lives and works of Catholic saints is also an excellent way for students to grow closer to God. The Loyola Treasury of Saints written by David Self and published by The Loyola Press is a beautiful collection of over 100 saint biographies, containing vibrant stories, illustrations, and photographs that detail the lives of saints from the time of Jesus to today.  

4. Mary Stories from the Bible written by Charlotte Grossetête and published by Magnificat-Ignatius is an illustrated biography about the life of Mary, Mother of Jesus. The book includes five stories from Mary’s life: The Childhood of Mary, the Annunciation, the birth of Jesus, the story of the wedding feast at Cana, and the death and resurrection of Jesus.  

For students in ninth through 12th grade  

1. YOUCAT written by Cardinal Christoph Schonborn and published by Ignatius Press  is short for Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church. This book will help guide and form students’ understanding of Church doctrine, how Catholics celebrate the mysteries of the faith, Catholic moral life, and how Catholics should pray. This visually appealing, contemporary adaptation of the official Catechism of the Catholic Church was developed with the input of teenage Catholics. The book includes a section of frequently asked questions, commentary by clergy, a summary of The Catechism, a glossary of key terms, Bible citations, and inspiring and thought-provoking quotes from saints and others in the margins.  

2. For young Catholics who may be beginning to question the moral and ethical reasoning behind Church teachings, Don't Tell Me What to Do! Catholic Understanding Modern Moral Issues written by Father Dave Heney and published by the Paulist Press provides straightforward answers to commonly asked questions about what Catholics believe about a moral issue and why. The book provides answers to questions on moral issues, explains why the Church has a fixed opinion on certain matters, and helps put into perspective those issues on which Catholics are free to dissent. The book tackles hot-potato areas of sexuality, family life, medical ethics, social justice, and more, and how official Church positions are not arbitrarily imposed but arise naturally from human nature. 

3. As students mature both academically and spiritually, there is a wonderful opportunity for faith exploration through current events. By reading Papal Encyclicals, students can stay updated on what is going on within the Catholic Church and learn about Catholic dogma and faith. Encyclicals are official letters written by the Pope on matters of doctrine, morality, or social issues. They provide guidance and teachings for Catholics. Examples include "Laudato Si'" by Pope Francis, "Humanae Vitae" by Pope Paul VI, and "Dei Verbum" by Pope Paul VI. The encyclicals of Pope Francis are available on the Vatican website, and many other publishing houses and online archives have published the encyclicals of past Popes.  

3. Finding the right words to let young men and women know about all the temptations and pressures they will be facing as they grow up and experience puberty can be challenging. Teens in the modern world face increasingly complex problems – especially when it comes to discussions of sexuality and marriage. Jason and Crystalina Evert’s books Pure Manhood and Pure Womanhood, published by Catholic Answers, provide short and informative answers to questions teenagers have about dating and sex, in line with the Church’s teachings about sexuality and chastity.   

These are just a few examples of Catholic reading resources. The Catholic faith has a rich literary tradition, and there are countless books, articles, and online resources available to deepen your understanding of the faith and nurture your spiritual growth.   

A full list of lending library resources is available on the Archdiocese of Newark website, including links to Catholic publishers such as Ascension Press and the Paulist Press, blogs, educational institutions, and more. 

Featured image: Two girls read the Bible (by FatCamera, via Canva)