Dark Night of the Soul
Recommended. Age: 18+. A Catholic review of this book for parents.
Our review
St. John of the Cross shows that darkness in prayer can be God working, not God leaving. The poem is among the finest in Spanish and the commentary is exact Catholic teaching on purification and union. The reservation is misuse. Catholic Answers stresses that the night of the spirit is rare and advanced, not a name for ordinary dryness or sadness.
For parents
For adults, ideally with a confessor or spiritual director to talk to. Not a read-aloud, though the poem alone can be read with teens from about 16. Ask: how is the dark night different from feeling sad or bored at prayer? Why would God take away consolations from someone He loves?