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Books published by publisher Augustine Institute

  • Trouble with Lent

    Paul McCusker

    Paperback (Augustine Institute, Feb. 25, 2019)
    BOOK SUMMARYIn Trouble with Lent, the fourth book of the Adventures of Nick and Sam, the Perry twins are celebrating Lent at school, at church, and with their family. The family discusses what they will be giving up for Lent, and Nick and Sam experience some struggles with their choices throughout the Lenten season. A new boy, Riley, comes into their class who is obsessed with Big Foot, and he and Nick get into some strange adventures seeking the famous creature. Sam enters the school spelling bee, and she struggles with temptation when someone tries to help her cheat. The kids learn about temptations, sacrifices, poverty, and the love of Jesus along the way. The chapters follow along the calendar for the season of Lent and lead right into the joy of Easter Sunday. SERIES SUMMARY Nicolas (Nick) and Samantha (Sam) Perry are twins in the Perry family. They moved with their parents, their brother Andrew, and their sister Lizzy, to Hope Springs in the summer. Hope Springs is a fictional town in the mountains of Colorado. This series presents the adventures of the twins, their family, their friends, and the people they encounter at school, church, and in town. This series presents Catholic culture easily and normally, and provides opportunities for readers to think about the consequences of words and actions. Some of the chapters early in the series appear in the Signs of Grace curriculum, and the Hope Springs universe expands out to McCusker's Blue Christmas, and will be featured in other stories to come. This series is written similarly to the Adventures in Odyssey series and the Magic Tree House series, and is recommended for readers ages seven and up, but can also be read by parents to younger children.
  • Hidden Treasures

    Paul McCusker

    Paperback (Augustine Institute, Oct. 22, 2018)
    BOOK SUMMARY In the second book of the Adventures of Nick and Sam, the Perry twins begin a new school year in a new, Catholic school: St. Clare's. As they adjust to life at a new school, the twins learn more about their family history, and town history, as they work on a class project for their teacher, Sr. Lucy. Nick tries to help his friend, Brad, understand faith better. Sam learns new things about her friend, Kim, whose parents are still in China. Their parents, school handyman Mr. Norm, and Sr. Lucy help the twins and their friends see why knowing the past is important for the present, and thus lead them to greater trust in the Lord. SERIES SUMMARY Nicolas (Nick) and Samantha (Sam) Perry are twins in the Perry family. They moved with their parents, their brother Andrew, and their sister Lizzy, to Hope Springs in the summer. Hope Springs is a fictional town in the mountains of Colorado. This series presents the adventures of the twins, their family, their friends, and the people they encounter at school, church, and in town. This series presents Catholic culture easily and normally, and provides opportunities for readers to think about the consequences of words and actions. Some of the chapters early in the series appear in the Signs of Grace curriculum, and the Hope Springs "universe" expands out to McCusker's Blue Christmas and will be featured in other stories to come. This series is written similarly to the Adventures in Odyssey series and the Magic Tree House series, and is recommended for readers ages seven and up, but can also be read by parents to younger children.
  • Perfect Gifts

    Paul McCusker

    Paperback (Augustine Institute, Oct. 1, 2018)
    BOOK SUMMARY Nicolas and Samantha Perry are twins that have just moved to the fictional town of Hope Springs, Colorado. In this first chapter book in the Adventures of Nick and Sam series, the twins are preparing to celebrate their birthday. Trouble unfolds as the twins get into hijinks by snooping in their parents' closet, go unprepared for a hike, and even run into a family of skunks in the woods! Written by the award-winning author Paul McCusker, join the Perry family, and the twins especially, on their adventures surrounding this summer birthday. This fun and thoughtful story brings to life the importance of choices, consequences, and how we respond to the choices we make and the consequences that result. SERIES SUMMARY Nicolas (Nick) and Samantha (Sam) Perry are twins in the Perry family. They moved with their parents, their brother Andrew, and their sister Lizzy, to Hope Springs in the summer. Hope Springs is a fictional town in the mountains of Colorado. This series presents the adventures of the twins, their family, their friends, and the people they encounter at school, church, and in town. This series presents Catholic culture easily and normally, and provides opportunities for readers to think about the consequences of words and actions. Some of the chapters early in the series appear in the Signs of Grace curriculum, and the Hope Springs universe expands out to McCusker's Blue Christmas, and will be featured in other stories to come. This series is written similarly to the Adventures in Odyssey series and the Magic Tree House series, and is recommended for readers ages seven and up, but can also be read by parents to younger children.
  • A World of Wonder

    Paul McCusker

    Paperback (Augustine Institute, April 22, 2019)
    BOOK SUMMARY In A World of Wonder, the fifth book in the Adventures of Nick and Sam series, the Perry twins take part in the Great Easter Monday Snowball Battle, learn of an amazing mystery revealed in a church fire, and become the subject of a science project. These experiences teach Nick and Sam that God, like the world he created, is mysterious and wonderful. SERIES SUMMARY Nicolas (Nick) and Samantha (Sam) Perry are twins in the Perry family. They moved with their parents, their brother Andrew, and their sister Lizzy, to Hope Springs in the summer. Hope Springs is a fictional town in the mountains of Colorado. This series presents the adventures of the twins, their family, their friends, and the people they encounter at school, church, and in town. This series presents Catholic culture easily and normally, and it provides opportunities for readers to think about the consequences of words and actions. Some of the chapters early in the series appear in the Signs of Grace curriculum, and the Hope Springs ''universe'' expands out to McCusker's Blue Christmas and will be featured in other stories to come. This series is written similarly to the Adventures in Odyssey series and the Magic Tree House series, and it is recommended for readers ages seven and up, but it can also be read by parents to younger children.
  • The Best Advent Ever

    Paul McCusker

    Paperback (Augustine Institute, Nov. 15, 2018)
    BOOK SUMMARY In the third book of the Adventures of Nick and Sam series, the Perry twins are celebrating Advent at school, at church, and with their family. The school Christmas pageant incites all kinds of drama: Sam and Kim both want to play Mary, Brad and Nick get into hijinks with a trampoline on stage, and a boy expresses romantic feelings for Sam. In addition to the drama around the play, adventures with animals including staring down a mountain lion and an ill-fated donkey ride feature in this story. The chapters follow along the calendar for the season of Advent and lead right into preparation for Midnight Mass on Christmas. SERIES SUMMARY Nicolas (Nick) and Samantha (Sam) Perry are twins in the Perry family. They moved with their parents, their brother Andrew, and their sister Lizzy, to Hope Springs in the summer. Hope Springs is a fictional town in the mountains of Colorado. This series presents the adventures of the twins, their family, their friends, and the people they encounter at school, church, and in town. This series presents Catholic culture easily and normally, and provides opportunities for readers to think about the consequences of words and actions. Some of the chapters early in the series appear in the Signs of Grace curriculum, and the Hope Springs universe expands out to McCusker's Blue Christmas, and will be featured in other stories to come. This series is written similarly to the Adventures in Odyssey series and the Magic Tree House series, and is recommended for readers ages seven and up, but can also be read by parents to younger children.
  • The Saintly Outlaw

    Paul McCusker

    Paperback (Augustine Institute, Sept. 27, 2019)
    BOOK SUMMARY Andrew Perry likes history, but he never expected to experience it firsthand. But that's what happens when he meets the unusual Eve Virtue, a direct descendent of the explorer and entrepreneur Alfred Virtue. Eve has uncovered Alfred Virtue's greatest secret: the mysterious Radiant Stone. Before Andrew knows it, the two of them are in twelfth-century England, caught up in the adventures of the saintly outlaw Robin Hood. SERIES SUMMARY The Virtue Chronicles follows the time-traveling adventures of Andrew Perry and Eve Virtue, as they use the ancient Radiant Stone to encounter the great people and events of history. Their adventures in the past also trigger mysteries in the present, as they learn more and more about the work of secretive explorer Alfred Virtue. Part of the world of Hope Springs, The Virtue Chronicles series is written for 10-to-12 year-olds (though readers of all ages will enjoy the stories).
  • View from the Top

    Paul McCusker

    Paperback (Augustine Institute, July 10, 2019)
    BOOK SUMMARY In View from the Top, the sixth book of The Adventures of Nick & Sam series, the Perry twins are looking forward to summer. As the school year comes to an end, Nick and Sam are already caught up in new beginnings. Not only are they packing for a move, but Nick begins to wonder if he's good at anything and Sam struggles to help two people she loves through their troubles. Together, the twins discover that how they deal with inflatable castles, bad throws, and difficult decisions often depends on having the right point of view. It's a lesson for everyone in this exciting and fun-filled story. SERIES SUMMARY Nicolas (Nick) and Samantha (Sam) Perry are twins in the Perry family. They moved with their parents, their brother Andrew, and their sister Lizzy, to Hope Springs in the summer. Hope Springs is a fictional town in the mountains of Colorado. This series presents the adventures of the twins, their family, their friends, and the people they encounter at school, church, and in town. This series presents Catholic culture easily and normally, and it provides opportunities for readers to think about the consequences of words and actions. Some of the chapters early in the series appear in the Signs of Grace curriculum, and the Hope Springs ''universe'' expands out to McCusker's Blue Christmas and will be featured in other stories to come. This series is written similarly to the Adventures in Odyssey series and the Magic Tree House series, and it is recommended for readers ages seven and up, but it can also be read by parents to younger children.