New Faces and Old: Short Stories

Francis J. Finn, the Jesuit priest who understood children perhaps better than any American writer of his era, gathered here a charming assortment of tales featuring his most beloved characters. Tom Playfair returns with his characteristic mischief and good heart, while Claude Lightfoot brings his quiet wisdom and loyalty. These stories capture something rare: childhood as it truly was, full of small adventures, friendships tested and strengthened, and the simple moral clarity that comes from growing up with faith as a gentle foundation. Written in an era when children's fiction aimed to build character rather than merely entertain, these stories pulse with genuine warmth. The mischief feels authentic, the friendships real, and the moral teaching unobtrusive. Whether introducing new readers to these old friends or revisiting familiar faces, these tales endure because they remember what childhood actually feels like: messy, joyful, and full of grace.