Lepanto’s Lady
Our Lady of Victory & the Battle of Lepanto
Rosa must save her father from the enemy galley ship. She travels alone in disguise from her home on the Amalfi coast. A slave trader is out to get her and ruffians on the road threaten her mission, as she travels across the Mediterranean Sea, finally arriving in Messina, where Don John’s flagship is ready to sail. Some characters and events in Lepanto’s Lady are based on historical people and happenings; others are alive in legends. Rosa, purely fictional character, is a courageous girl who risks her life for the ones she loves. Can Rosa manage this treacherous journey? How will she find and save her father?
Lepanto’s Lady, a fiction account of the most epic, the most important sea battle of Christendom, is an exciting chapter book for children fifth grade and up. Lepanto’s Lady has received the Imprimatur seal. (The “Imprimatur” is granted by an official censor of the Catholic Church and verifies that the book is free from moral and doctrinal error).
Available for purchase here.
“Here history mixes with legend, and adventure mixes with drama. Risk leads to honors, and adventures lead to vocations. Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Joan of Arc make appearances, and the power of Our Lady of the Rosary is proved through the tale of two young people from a family like yours and mine. Recommended.”
– Nancy Carpentier Brown, author of The Father Brown Reader
“Super excited to add Lepanto’s Lady to the middle school classroom bookshelves! This historical fiction is based on the true and legendary events of the epic sea battle of Lepanto and the origin of the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.”
– Katherine Bogner, author of Through the Year with Jesus, and Through the Year with Mary.
“I love that Lepanto’s Lady marries a great story with history and faith. A book that I’ll enjoy reading (and learning) along with my kids.”
– Katie Warner, author of Cloud of Witnesses, A Child’s First Book of Saints, and more
“Each year on October 7th, the Church celebrates the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, the day of a historic battle dating back to the 16th century Battle of Lepanto, won by Italy and Spain’s Holy League. A victory attributed to the Blessed Mother and the power of the Rosary. In this book, based on real-life events of the battle, you will meet a young girl named Rosa from the coastal town of Amalfi. Rosa is searching for her father who has been taken by enemies. Will she be able to avoid danger as she attempts to save her father?”
– Susanna Parent, Blessed Is She
“In Lepanto’s Lady, the Marian apparition includes of Our Lady of Guadalupe. I like this story because it is from the perspective of a girl. I like that the main character was independent.”
– Ellen, ten year old reader and reviewer.
My daughter, Felicity, has an avid imagination. She loves historical fiction with female protagonists. Laurie J. Schmitt’s middle grade book, Lepanto’s Lady, offers an adventure through the Battle of Lepanto, in which Our Lady miraculously answers prayer to rescue those in battle at sea. The fictional character, Rosa, demonstrates courage and strength as she faces danger and difficulty. The virtues exhibited in her character offer a refreshing and welcome change from many of the middle grade books available to young readers. Girls, and children, everywhere, will find inspiration and hope through this true to life story.
– Jeannie Ewing, author of Parenting with the Beatitudes: Eight Holy Habits for Daily Living, and several more
“Lepanto’s Lady, a beautiful work of life and faith, invites you into a world in which the challenges of war and family are only a proof of God’s providence and love. Courageous yet understandable characters introduced in the beginning will delight you and leave you inspired in the end. Rosa a young, thoughtful, and strong-hearted woman, Mateo the brave, enthusiastic younger brother, and the mother and father of the two serving as exemplary role models as well as many others. Throughout multiple hardships and run ins with pirates the strong message of faith, courage, and our Blessed Mothers great intercession resound through the pages”
-Rose, homeschooling student
Here is a book about Catholicism that actually helps your child’s faith in 2021! This is a much needed genre for the youth and young adults of the day. Through the story of the Battle of Lepanto, readers are reminded of the protection our Lady provides in the praying of the rosary and the intercession of saints. By following the path of the characters, young adults also explore the various vocations one can be called to including priesthood, religious life and marriage. The offer illustrates the importance of the Battle in our history as Catholics, while also inspiring the reader to rise up in our current uneasy times. I recommend this for any young adult going through the struggles of the coming of age! Perfect for confirmation or holiday gift!”
– Jenna G
“Lepanto’s Lady is a glimpse of heroic courage in the youth in times of uncertainty and a look at what love can accomplish. Laurie Schmitt writes in a way that enlivens the senses and brings the reader to fully experience and be present in each moment of the book.”
– RH, DRE
“These gems — Champions of the Rosary and Lepanto’s Lady – are going into Regis Catholic Schools library. We can send our kids to private school and go to church every Sunday, but if we are not cultivating the stories and miracles of our faith in our homes we will not grow the next generation. ‘Children are great imitators – give them something great to imitate.'”
– Megan, Catholic convert
“Laurie’s storytelling is sure to captivate the minds and hearts of readers young and old. Her writing makes you feel as if you are there among the characters, part of the battle, and brings the historical context and our Faith to life. The female main character, Rosa, and the battle scenes are sure to draw in boys and girls alike to this unique historical fiction. My children are still young, but I love that we have resources like this to help teach them the power of the rosary and the reality of our Catholic faith. I cannot wait for them to be old enough to read it themselves and I hope Laurie will release more books in this beautiful collection!”
– Katie Curran
“I read this aloud to my girls who are 10 and 8. My 10 year old is an advanced reader but she couldn’t quite follow the plot when she first started reading it on her own, I think because of all the poetic description. So I took over and we did it as a read aloud and she loved it! What I like the most about it is the way the author really wove the faith into every aspect of the story. Rosa is discerning her vocation, which is a subtle undercurrent to the story line. Her friend Maria also finds her vocation too, which is such an important plot line for books geared towards this age group (my 10 year old is on the young end of the range for this book). We loved the part where Rosa encounters a monk on the road and spends time in the friary. All vocations are represented: religious life, priests, married life…soldiers, children, parents.. all depicted as brave and important characters!”
– E. Ray, Amazon reviewer
“Lepanto’s Lady by Laurie Schmitt from Emmaus Road Publishing it is an excellent read and it was hard to put down once I got going. Parts of the story may be fictional but it revolves around real events and a true miracle. It is wonderfully written.”
– Steven McEvoy
“Lepanto’s Lady is a great historical fiction novel with a Marian theme. In Lepanto’s Lady, watch the events of the momentous Battle of Lepanto unfold through the eyes of young Rosa. Learn about the origins of the October 8th feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.”
– B. Inzeo, goodbooksforcatholickids.com
Champions of the Rosary:
Our Lady of Good Help and the Peshtigo Fire
In October, 1871, James, the son of a Wisconsin homesteader, is grieving his father’s death. The drought has devasted the crops and destroyed all hope of making a living on the farm. He leaves his family to escape his sadness and to find a better life for himself in Peshtigo. When the wild firestorm rages, he realizes he must return home to his family. But what will he find? Have they survived the Peshtigo Fire?
Champions of the Rosary, an exciting chapter book for children fifth grade and up, is a historical fiction, centering on the terrible Peshtigo fire, and the only U.S. approved Marian apparition, Our Lady of Good Help. At the time of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s appearance to Adele Brise, the village was called Champion, and while the world turned to ash around it, the five acres of the Shrine grounds was miraculously preserved, remaining lush and green. Champions of the Rosary has received the Imprimatur seal. (The “Imprimatur” is granted by an official censor of the Catholic Church and verifies that the book is free from moral and doctrinal error).
Available for purchase here.
“It will take time to spread the story of Our Lady of Good Help so that she is as well-known as other Marian apparitions, but Schmitt has done her part admirably with this charming book for young readers. She perfectly captures the marriage of the miraculous and the ordinary, showing how the supernatural can pierce its way into the lives of ordinary people, if only they have the faith to believe. Our Lady’s stories at Fatima, Lourdes, and Guadalupe possess a romance that we Americans may wrongly assume to be lacking within our borders, but this story demonstrates the Mother of God spreads her Son’s love everywhere…even to a simple town in the Midwest.”
– Brian Kennelly, Author of To the Heights: A Novel Based on the Life of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati and Coauthor of Queen of Heaven
“One of the most compelling aspects in the story of Adele Brise’s apparitions was the preservation of the apparition site from the ravages of fire on October 8, 1871. Just as people gathered there that night to pray for a miracle, many people visit Champion today praying for their own personal miracle. Learn the story of Mary’s grace filled apparition and how she still wishes to fill you with grace today”
– Fr. Edward Looney, author of A Lenten Journey with Mother Mary
“This thrilling tale of adventure, danger, good and evil will capture the attention of those interested in an intriguing historical true story. A good read aloud for the whole family, that encompasses the physical and emotional reality of life in Wisconsin in the mid 1800’s. A story of faith, the Peshtigo fire, a Marian apparition, and one family’s struggles to survive. Recommended.”
-Nancy Carpentier Brown, author of The Father Brown Reader
“My oldest daughter is 10 years old. She is an avid reader and caught sight of Champions of the Rosary by Laurie J. Schmitt, which was on our dining room table. “When can I read that, Mom?” she eagerly asked. It’s a joy to have more Catholic fiction available for children. With so many books vying for their attention, I’m grateful to have this book for my children, because Schmitt writes in a compelling way that rivals secular authors. Her story is certain to win over the hearts of young people, that they will discover a love of Mary and the Rosary.”
– Jeannie Ewing, author of From Grief to Grace: The Journey from Tragedy to Triumph, and several other titles
“This book is written by a homeschooling mother of nine! In this story based on real-life events you will meet three siblings who are taught the catechism by Sr. Adele Brise. These three siblings along with their older brother are witnesses of the 1871 Peshtigo Fire in Wisconsin. A fire which brought devastation to over two-thousand square miles and killed over a thousand people. What will become of the chapel where these children were taught? Will they find a way to escape the fire?”
– Susanna Parent, Blessed Is She
“A historical adventure with the faith beautifully woven in…I love that this novel not only tells a great story, but also encourages deeper devotion to the Holy Rosary, while diving into the historical context of the Marian apparition of Our Lady of Good Help. What a gift that Laurie is using her talents and creativity as a writer to bring good literature and greater faith to children!”
– Katie Warner, author of Let Us Pray, A Child’s First Book of Prayers, and more
“Laurie Schmitt’s writing welcomes all of your senses. Through the experience of one devoted family, she pulls readers into the sulfuric stench and scourging heat of desolation—the Wisconsin wildfires of 1871—and out into the fragrant springtime of new life. Champions of the Rosary reveals why God sends Our Blessed Mother to His children: to spread His mercy and love.”
– Marlys Honeyman, author of I Am: God Shares His Name
“Champions of the Rosary, is based on the events of the Peshtigo Fire and Our Lady of Good Help, the only approved Marian Apparition in the US! Always grateful to find exciting and faithful middle school books!”
-Katherine Bogner, author of Through the Year with Jesus, and Through the Year with Mary.
“This was the first book by Laurie Schmitt I have read but it will not be the last. This was an excellent read and hard to put down once I got going. The fire of Peshtigo Fire of 1871 which began on the same day as the Great Chicago fire, wove a vast swath of destruction in Northern Wisconsin and Upper Peninsula in Michigan. This story follows a family that has already suffered tragedy. The father filled in a logging accident. The middle brother crippled, and the mother growing ever more despondent. James the oldest brother blames himself, and believes everyone would be better if he left. So he makes his way north to Peshtigo to earn a living logging and to be able so send money home. But he arrives on the night of the great fire. Father Pernin who plays a key role in the story on several occasions is a real historic figure, who served in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, and was the pastor in Peshtigo the night of the fire. This story may be fictional but it revolves around real events and a true miracle. It is masterfully written. It is an excellent novel for Middle Grade readers right on up. I am in my 50’s and absolutely loved it. And I added to both my son’s and youngest daughter’s reading lists. And I have mentioned it to several friends. This is an excellent read no matter your age. A story filled with family, faith, and hope. This book is part of a series of reviews: 2022 Catholic Reading Plan!
– Steven R. McEvoy. https://www.bookreviewsandmore.ca/
“I liked Champions of the Rosary because the ending was happy. I liked that there was more than one main character. Sometimes they were in different places and I got to read about the places they went to and the stuff they did. I liked how the miracle is described by the different characters.”
– Ellen, ten year old reader and reviewer
“Highlighting a unique and relatively unknown portion of Catholic history in North America, Champions of the Rosary tells the story of faith amid tragedy, and its ultimate triumph, making it an excellent addition to any student’s bookshelf.”
– Kate, history buff
“Here is a book about Catholicism that actually helps your child’s faith in 2021!”
– Jenna G
“These gems — Champions of the Rosary and Lepanto’s Lady – are going into Regis Catholic Schools library. We can send our kids to private school and go to church every Sunday, but if we are not cultivating the stories and miracles of our faith in our homes we will not grow the next generation. ‘Children are great imitators – give them something great to imitate.'”
– Megan, Catholic convert
“Champions of the Rosary is a powerful read for any young individual. Laurie Schmitt gives a young reader a vivid description of a horrific tragedy embedded with a miracle in the midst of extreme circumstances. We also get a glimpse of the struggles in families and how God can bring people back together when we put prayer at the center of our lives.”
– RH, DRE
“A historical fiction with an Imprimatur? Count me in! I was blessed to make a pilgrimage to the apparition site of Our Lady of Good Help a few years ago. The sacred grounds are peaceful and just as described in Laurie’s storytelling. This book brought the history of the Peshtigo fires to new life. Even though I knew the outcome of the fires and miracles going into the story, I still found myself holding my breath through every page. Highly recommended for readers young and old who desire to learn more about the history of the only Church-approved Marian apparition site in the US, all while experiencing Laurie’s beautiful writing which makes you feel as if you are sitting next to Sister Adele as she recounts the apparitions.”
– Katie Curran
“This book was so loved by my 11 year old daughter! She couldn’t put it down! Being a huge horse fan, it was even more compelling for her, not to mention the beautiful Catholic faith and rosary intertwined in the story! Definitely a must have!!”
– TT, Amazon reviewer
“My 12 year old son loves to read and his favorite books involve action and adventure. His favorite subject is history and he’s currently obsessed with the wild west, horses, the railroad and the 1800s. He was so excited about this book, he wanted to write his own short review without help (he has some learning challenges, so it is huge for him to want to write anything :): “I really like the countryside setting and page turning advetures and horses in the story about Our Lady and Sister Adele.” Thank you, Laurie, for another wonderful Catholic book for preteens!”
– Luke, Amazon reviewer
“Champions of The Rosary, is a great book for Catholic boys ages 8-12! My little brother enjoyed this book, and would ask me himself if I could read the next chapter to him! As someone who recently visited the National Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help in Champion, Wisconsin; I am so pleased to find a book for children that is based on this lesser-known but extremely important Marian Apparition! This is a great book filled with adventure, to introduce young Catholic boys to Our Lady of Good Help, the only approved apparition of Our Blessed Mother in America. I would recommend to have this book on hand in Catholic classrooms, and homeschooling rooms.”
– Elena, Amazon reviewer
“This is a lovely book for children, tweens and even teens. My child originally picked the book because it had a horse on the cover but she was quickly drawn into the story. It was liked so much it is now on the to read again shelf on our bookshelf.”
– LKG, Amazon reviewer
“I’d read about Fatima, Lourdes, Guadalupe with my kids. All the famous apparitions. But when it came to our own country, I knew just enough to know that there had been an American apparition in Wisconsin, but that was it. If your family is like mine, you’ll be as excited as we were to learn more about the apparitions and miracles right here in our own country! In 1859, Our Lady appeared to a young girl named Adele Brise in Wisconsin. Our Lady asked Adele to pray and teach the children in rural Wisconsin their Catechism. A convent and Chapel were eventually built to fulfil the request of Our Lady of Good Help, as this apparition was dubbed. And did she ever help the people of Wisconsin! This book recounts the miracles that occurred at the apparition site in future years such as miraculous healings. The most stunning miracle occurred during the terrible Peshtigo Fire of 1871. As thousands of acres around burned, then-Sister Adele led the local people in a rosary procession around the grounds of the convent. Miraculously, the convent acreage was completely spared: a verdant green island in the midst of hundreds of miles of devastation on all sides. This is a beautiful story about a family struggling through tough times and turning to Our Lady for hope and healing. It’s also an intense story since the backdrop is the Peshtigo Fire which ravaged the countryside (I recommend for ages 10 and up). Tweens and teens will be caught up in the drama of a natural disaster unfolding while also learning about this beautiful apparition with a message of hope for our country.”
– B. Inzeo, goodbooksforcatholickids.com
Giorgio’s Miracle:
The Eucharistic Miracle of Turin
According to the latest survey, only thirty percent of today’s Catholics believe in the True Presence, but the disbelief of believers is nothing new. The Eucharistic Miracle of Turin of 1453 took place in such a setting. In the mid 1400’s, the average Catholic was despairing, overloaded with economic and political concerns, groaning and grumbling about the hardships and hassles that seem to define the human condition. Giorgio’s Miracle is a story built around this Eucharistic Miracle, and centers on a young boy who wrestles with troubles of his own.
This is my first book written for children and is suited for fifth graders but was written with First Communicants in mind. It makes for a nice family read aloud that all ages can enjoy.
Giorgio’s Miracle has received the Imprimatur and Nihil Obstat. (These are granted by an official censor of the Catholic Church and verifies that the book is free from moral and doctrinal error).
“Giorgio’s Miracle is a fictionalized chapter book based on the real Eucharistic Miracle that happened in Turin in 1453. I think kids who are animals lovers would really enjoy it, and it would be a cool read aloud following a child’s first communion. We do so much before, but need to support their second and third and fiftieth time of receiving Jesus, too!”
– Katherine Bogner, author of Through the Year with Jesus, Gospel Readings and Reflections for Children
Giorgio’s Miracle is a charming adventure about a boy, his pet donkey, and a few thieves whose mischief threatens the peace and joy of Giorgio’s life in Turin. With a mix of narrators and points of view, Laurie Schmitt’s first book explores the miracle of forgiveness, reconciliation, and unifying mercy that is found in the Blessed Sacrament. Crafted with warmth and insight, it’s a book the whole family will enjoy reading and discussing together.
– Liz Kelly, award winning author of nine books, including Love Like a Saint: Cultivating Virtue with Holy Women; cohost of the podcast Deep Down Things
“This is an engaging story, steeped in the Catholic faith, about a young boy and the love he has for this pet donkey. The love between these two transcends to heal a fractured relationship between the boy and his father. A great book for young readers!”
– Linda, Amazon purchaser
“As a homeschooling mom I always incorporate historical fiction along with history to make it come alive. A delightful retelling of the 1453 Eucharistic miracle in Turin, Giorgio’s Miracle is exactly the kind of book I look for to round out my curriculum. Being immersed in a Catholic perspective of history is a valuable experience and something I will always choose when given the option.”
– Laura, homeschool mom
“Giorgio is a sweet, devout boy who loves our Eucharistic Lord and is troubled by the lack of faith he sees around him in Turin. He begins to pray for a miracle to reignite the faith of the townspeople of Turin. Little does he know that his beloved donkey friend Franca will play a part in the miracle! This book is an imagined version of how the Eucharistic Miracle of Turin in 1453 occurred. It will be sure to inspire faith and interest in Eucharistic Miracles. Overall, Giorgio’s Miracle would make a great addition to a Catholic library or study of the Eucharist.”
– Brittany @ goodbooks for Catholic Kids
“A sweet and captivating story with a glorious surprise.”
– Dale Ahlquist, President, Society of Gilbert Keith Chesterton and Publisher of Gilbert! Magazine
“Giorgio’s Miracle helps children resonate with the brokenness of families as Giorgio’s father didn’t have a strong relationship with him, his mother had passed away, and his aunt is helping to raise him. With the example of Giorgio in his desire to pray for a miracle, students and families will be strengthened in their resolve to pray, and have faith in God when things seem hopeless. The story shows us that nothing in impossible for God as Giorgio prays for the town’s people to have a change of heart. When people lose touch with God, they lose touch with their world and they lose joy, as seen in Giorgio’s father and the townspeople. In this story, many people support each other, and this reminds readers that we are the Body of Christ, and that we rely on each other through life’s up and downs.”
– Rosemary, Director of Religious Education