The Higher We Go

Leslea Wahl reviews a new book for teens about Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati, who was recently canonized by Pope Leo XIV.

The Higher We Go

By Corinna Turner

Published by UnSeen Books

The Higher We Go by Corinna Turner is the newest book in the author’s Friends in High Places series. This series follows a group of modern-day friends who discover some incredible saints to help them through their unique life struggles. 

This newest story brings the various characters, Daniel, Raz, and Miri, together as their youth group embarks on a pilgrimage to Italy and Pier Giorgio Frassati’s hometown.  

Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati is one of the newest saints in the Catholic Church. He was recently canonized on September 7th, along with Saint Carlo Acutis, by Pope Leo XIV. Saint Frassati was a young Italian man who was passionate about mountain climbing and helping the poor in his town. He passed away in 1925 at the age of 24. 

While a pilgrimage to Italy sounds like an incredible experience, this journey is no regular youth group trip. Miri is a severely disabled teen, and climbing the mountain Frassati adored so much is not something that Miri would ever be able to do. However, his friends Daniel and Raz are determined to allow Miri to enjoy every part of the adventure with the rest of the group. 

There were several aspects of this book that I really appreciated. First, there all the details about Pier Giorgio Frassati’s remarkable life. He truly was an inspiring individual whom young people easily relate to. I was also touched by the strong friendships between the main characters — what a beautiful example of how to truly care for people in our lives. But what has really stuck with me is an added element at the end of the book of stark realism that I was not expecting, but made the story particularly moving, and makes me anxious to read the next installment in this series. This is another wonderful book by a top-rate storyteller.  

Summary: 

"VERSO L'ALTO." TO THE HEIGHTS. This was Pier Giorgio Frassati's motto. But what could an athletic, mountain-climbing saint have to say to wheelchair-bound Miri? 
 
When Miri's friend Daniel and his friends get a chance to go on a Pier Giorgio Frassati pilgrimage, they decide to invite Miri along, and show him just how high he can go. 
 
The fifth book in the Friends in High Places series, The Higher We Go can be read on its own. The series is labeled Parental Guidance since it contains some mature themes.
 
“The Higher We Go deftly brings the virtue of St. Pier Giorgio to life in a contemporary story set in the mountains he so loved. His story, and that of Miri and Daniel, will inspire readers to the bravery and acts of charity modeled by the young Italian saint.” 

The Higher We Go is available in paperback or on Kindle. Order this book online from Amazon.com.

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Copyright 2025 Leslea Wahl
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