--- title: Back to the Bright Before description: Need a summer read for your school-age children? Leslea Wahl reviews Katherin Nolte's debut novel for kids ages 8 through 11. image: https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20230526%20LWahl%201.png --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/back-to-the-bright-before#) [BOOKS](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/tag/books) # Back to the Bright Before May 26, 2023 11:30:00 AM  |  by [Leslea Wahl](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/leslea-wahl) ![featured image](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20230526%20LWahl%201.png) *Need a summer read for your school-age children? Leslea Wahl reviews Katherin Nolte's debut novel for kids ages 8 through 11.* --- ### [*Back to the Bright Before* by Katherin Nolte](https://www.amazon.com/Back-Bright-Before-Katherin-Nolte/dp/059356510X)   #### Review:  When a tragic accident causes 11-year-old Perpetua (Pet) Martin’s family to fall apart, she decides to take matters into her own hands. The Martin family was once a happy, loving family, but one event changed everything. Pet’s father is now unable to provide for the family, her mother, who can no longer stay at home, is constantly exhausted from working as many hours as possible, her brother has stopped speaking—except for the word “cheese,” and Pet feels responsible for it all.  Determined to make things right, Pet sets out with her brother, a horse, and a chicken, in search of a hidden treasure. They face many challenges along the way, including becoming lost in the woods, fending off the brute who is also searching for the treasure, and each sustaining injuries. Through the experience, Pet discovers that they are never alone as they are helped along the way by some very special heavenly helpers.  This was a very enjoyable story, full of adventure, humor, and elements of fantasy and faith. I appreciated the main character’s fierce love for her family. The way she cared for her parents and her brother was so sweet. I also liked her feisty spirit as she refused to feel sorry for herself or become angry at her situation. Instead, Pet was determined to make her family whole once again.  This book for older elementary students is filled with quirky characters and brims with beautiful messages about the importance of family, love, and prayer. [*Back to the Bright Before*](https://www.amazon.com/Back-Bright-Before-Katherin-Nolte/dp/059356510X) is a brand-new release that is available for preorder now. The book will be released May 30.   ![Back to the Bright Before cover](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Back%20to%20the%20Bright%20Before%20cover.jpg?width=1685&height=2546&name=Back%20to%20the%20Bright%20Before%20cover.jpg)   #### Summary:  > **A magical adventure about two brave siblings determined to find a treasure that could save their family.**  >   > When 11-year-old Pet Martin’s dad falls from a ladder on their family farm, it isn’t just his body that crashes to the ground. So does every hope her family had for the future. Money is scarce, and Pet’s mom is bone-tired from waiting tables at the local diner, and even with the extra hours, it’s not enough for a third surgery for Pet’s dad. Her five-year-old brother, Simon, now refuses to say anything except the word “cheese.” Worst of all? The ladder accident was Pet’s fault.  >   > She’s determined to fix things—but how? Good old-fashioned grit … and maybe a little bit of magic.   >   > When a neighbor recites a poem about an ancient coin hidden somewhere on the grounds of the local abbey, Pet forms a plan. With her brother, a borrowed chicken, and a stolen pony, Pet runs away from home. If she can find the coin, Daddy can have his surgery, Momma can stop her constant working, and Simon might speak again. But Pet isn't the only one who wants the coin…which means searching for it is more dangerous than she ever imagined.   >   > This dazzling debut novel filled with magic, family, and adventure is sure to be an instant classic.    ![null](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/20230526%20LWahl%20IG.png?width=1080&height=1080&name=20230526%20LWahl%20IG.png)   --- Copyright 2023 Leslea Wahl Images: Canva ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fback-to-the-bright-before%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fback-to-the-bright-before%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fback-to-the-bright-before%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Back%20to%20the%20Bright%20Before) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fback-to-the-bright-before%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fback-to-the-bright-before%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Leslea Wahl](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/Contriubutors/LESLEA%20WAHL.jpeg) ### [Leslea Wahl](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/leslea-wahl) Leslea Wahl is an award-winning author of Catholic teen adventurous mysteries. She lives in beautiful Colorado with her family. Leslea believes one way to encourage teens in their faith is through positive messages and Catholic values, embedded in great stories. She is excited to share her reviews of some incredible Catholic books, all of which have received the Catholic Writer’s Guild Seal of Approval. Find her online at [LesleaWahl.com](http://www.LesleaWahl.com). ## Related Blog Articles [ Christmas Books for the Entire Family Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/christmas-books-for-the-entire-family) [ Wrap Up Your Christmas Shopping with Books! Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/wrap-up-your-christmas-shopping-with-books) [ Book Notes for Teens: 'Martyrs' (Brave Hearts Book 2) Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/book-notes-for-teens-martyrs-brave-hearts-book-2) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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