Ascension Launches Catholic Historical Fiction Series

Last updated on: September 29, 2026 at 4:10 pm by William Hemsworth

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Ascension Launches Catholic Historical Fiction Series 2026-09-29T16:10:20-07:00 William Hemsworth

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[EXTON, Pa. – July 31, 2026] Ascension has announced the release of “Fiat Girls,” a new children’s book series that introduces young readers to the lives of beloved female saints through fun and inspiring stories. Featuring St. Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa), St. Rose of Lima and St. Thérèse of Lisieux, this series follows each saint as a young girl, showing how everyday acts of courage, kindness and faith prepared them to answer God’s call and change the world.

Written by Edgar Award-nominated author and Catholic mother Claire Swinarski, “Fiat Girls” is a new historical fiction series for girls ages 7 to 11 that brings the childhoods of three beloved saints to life. The stories follow relatable, brave young characters who make courageous choices while learning to follow God and make a difference. Each book concludes with a biography of the real saint behind the story and invites young readers to discover more about her history. “Fiat Girls” has been reviewed by qualified Catholics familiar with the featured saint, such as a member of her religious order.

Photo Courtesy of Ascension Press

“I wrote the ‘Fiat Girls’ first and foremost to give young girls great stories of truth, beauty, and goodness — but also to remind them that they, too, can become saints,” said Swinarski. “This series is meant to bring saints down from their statues and help our daughters see that they were real people who worked hard and dreamed big!”

“Fiat Girls” takes its name from the Latin word “fiat,” meaning “let it be done”—the words Mary spoke to the angel Gabriel at the Annunciation. That spirit of saying “yes” to God’s will is best captured in the series’ own tagline: “Changing the world, one yes at a time.” Young readers will discover that each saint responded to God’s call in her own way: St. Thérèse through her trust and love in small acts, St. Rose through a life of prayer and sacrifice and Mother Teresa through her service to the poor. Together, their stories teach young readers that changing the world does not require extraordinary circumstances, but rather a simple “yes” to God.

All three books in the “Fiat Girls” series are now available for preorder at www.AscensionPress.com/FiatGirls.

Praise for “Fiat Girls” series

“When my daughters ask me questions about Saints, they usually want to know, ‘Were they in jail?’ or ‘How did they die?’ I can’t wait to hand my daughters ‘Fiat Girls’ and see the books spark a new question: ‘Could this Saint be my friend?’

‘Fiat Girls’ brings saint stories to life in a whole new way, welcoming readers into the real world in which a real person lived. Claire helps us learn about a saint’s holiness not just through dates, facts, figures or even pictures, but through a beautiful, engaging, well-written story that will connect with a child’s heart and open their mind.

I loved ‘Fiat Girls’ and cannot wait to give these to my own daughters and dive into the great treasure of saint stories that will inspire holiness in their hearts and help them grow in friendship with the saints in heaven. Just as I claim my American Girl Doll books as an inheritance, I know that ‘Fiat Girls’ will be cherished by my daughters for years to come.” –Katie Prejean McGrady, Author, Speaker and Host on SiriusXM’s The Catholic Channel

“The ‘Fiat Girls’ books are an unqualified delight—faithful, engaging, rich in humanity and beautifully written. Claire Swinarski has done a masterful job of making the saints come alive for young readers, and I am so grateful that my daughter will get to grow in friendship with Thérèse, Teresa, Rose and other amazing women through these books. They are a gift to moms and daughters alike!” –Emily Stimpson Chapman, Author

About the Author

Claire Swinarski is the Edgar Award-nominated author of multiple books for both kids and adults. Her writing has been featured in “The Washington Post,” “Seventeen,” “Milwaukee Magazine,” and many other publications. She lives in small town Wisconsin with her husband and three kids, where she writes books and wrangles bread dough. You can follow her on Instagram @claireswinarski.

About the Biographer

Amy Welborn is the author of over 25 books on Catholic spirituality, apologetics, and history, including the best-selling “Great Adventure Kids Catholic Bible Chronicles,” published by Ascension. Her writing has been featured in several renowned publications, including “The New York Times,” “Catholic News Service,” “The Catholic Digest,” and “Our Sunday Visitor.” Amy holds a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Tennessee and a master’s in Church history from Vanderbilt University. She has five adult children and lives in Birmingham, Alabama.

About the Illustrator

Lorena Cerqueira is a freelance illustrator originally from Portugal and currently residing in the UK. She studied animation before transitioning to full-time illustration. Inspired by artists such as Klimt and Van Gogh, she creates vibrant, richly textured scenes drawn from fairytales and the natural world. Guided by a passion for learning new techniques and sharing her unique perspective, she works in digital media to bring her whimsical worlds to life. In her free time, she enjoys walks, visiting museums, reading, and spending time with friends.

About Ascension

Ascension is one of the most trusted publishers of Catholic books and digital media today. For over 25 years, Ascension has helped nurture the faith of more than 20 million people through award-winning resources including the chart-topping “The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)” podcast, the groundbreaking “The Great Adventure Bible” study program,” bestselling Bibles, over 50 faith formation programs, and Ascension Presents—one of the largest Catholic YouTube channels in the world.

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