The Screwtape Letters
Recommended. Age: 14+. A Catholic review of this book for parents.
Our review
This is the best short book on temptation a teenager can read. Lewis shows that hell wins less by dramatic wickedness than by small, gradual corruption. The devils sneer at God all through, calling him the Enemy, and the book shows that sneer as evil. The reservation is that Lewis was an Anglican, so this is no guide to the sacramental life. Parents should supply confession and the Eucharist.
For parents
Independent reading from 14; read aloud and discuss from 13, one letter at a time. Seton assigns it in grade 11, Kolbe from grade 8. Remind teens Screwtape lies, so read him backwards. Ask which letter describes you. Ask where confession fits in this fight.