During the 2025 Christmas season, parishioners of the Church of the Beloved Disciple in Grove City, PA, participated in the church’s annual angel tree program and generously provided GJR in PA youth with gift cards to Bookends Bookstore. After surveying reading interest among youth, those gift cards were recently used to purchase nearly 20 titles for youth across three units.

The titles chosen touched on identity, resilience, belonging, grief, discipline, self-worth, and personal growth. These are themes that connect closely with the CARE model, which recognizes the individuality of each young person and fosters experiences that support development, competence, and self-esteem.

Several of the selected books speak directly to identity and self-expression. Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut celebrates confidence, dignity, and the importance of positive emotions. New Kid explores the defining experience of entering unfamiliar spaces while maintaining personal authenticity. Bronx Masquerade highlights the importance of being recognized for more than surface-level assumptions.

Other books encourage empathy and reflection. The 57 Bus and Ghost Boys both invite readers to think more deeply about injustice, loss, bias, and humanity. These kinds of stories can help youth reflect on their own experiences while also building greater understanding of the experiences of others. Such reflection supports emotional growth and encourages youth to adopt different perspectives.

The remaining titles focus on mindset, responsibility, and personal growth. Man Up and Million Dollar Habits both emphasize discipline, accountability, and the impact of daily choices. While different in tone from the fiction selections, these books align with CARE principles by supporting competence and inspiring conversations on how habits, decisions, and personal responsibility can shape one’s future.

Together, this reading collection reflects the diversity in interests among GJR in PA youth and offer encouragement, affirmation, challenge, and perspective. GJR is grateful to the parishioners of Beloved Disciple for this generous gift and to Bookends Bookstore for their procurement. These titles will remain meaningful long after the holiday season and continue to inspire future generations of youth at GJR in PA.