Books by Fr. Finn

Francis James Finn was born October 4, 1859 in St. Louis, Missouri to Irish immigrant parents.  His lifelong love of reading began with Cardinal Wiseman’s Fabiola, and among his favorites was the work of Dickens.

Though he often suffered from ill health while he was in the Jesuit Seminary at Florissant, Missouri, the hard work he encountered when assigned as prefect of the boarding school at St. Mary’s College in Kansas (which would later become “St. Maure’s” in his famous stories) served as a perfect cure.  Here his love of literature and his daily contact with the boys made a happy marriage and resulted in what would eventually become his first book, Tom Playfair.


He was eventually stationed at St. Xavier’s parish school in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he somehow found time amidst his many duties to continue writing books—27 in all.  He died on All Souls Day in 1928 and was mourned by children everywhere.

  • Bobby in Movieland

    Rev. Francis J. Finn

    Bobby in Movieland

    $12.95

        Tragedy strikes for Bobby Vernon and his mother on their journey through California, when a sudden earthquake separates them.  Thanks to the kindness of strangers, each finds the assistance needed to forge ahead with their lives,...

  • Cupid of Campion

    Rev. Francis J. Finn

    Cupid of Campion

    $12.95

    All is sunshine and roses for Clarence Esmond as he saunters down the streets of McGregor, searching for the bright-eyed goddess of adventure.  Little does he know he is about to suffer one misadventure after another at her hands!  But...

  • Facing Danger

    Rev. Francis J. Finn

    Facing Danger

    $12.95

        On Canal Street in New Orleans "Professor Thomas" finds a young boy in need of help...and embarks on an unexpected adventure in South America in the course of lending him that help. Will the forces of evil prevail against young Jose...

  • His Luckiest Year

    Rev. Francis J. Finn

    His Luckiest Year

    $12.95

    In this sequel to Lucky Bob, Bob Ryan’s fortunes have changed this year and he is now one of the top students at St. Xavier’s School in Cincinnati.  But his personality is as magnetic as it ever was, and he wisely uses his influence...

  • Lucky Bob

    Rev. Francis J. Finn

    Lucky Bob

    $12.95

    Bob Ryan has a way with animals.  For that matter, he has a way with everyone!  It’s hard to believe that his own father could have cruelly abandoned this boy to shift for himself.  But Bob has no trouble making friends with...

  • Sunshine and Freckles

    Rev. Francis J. Finn

    Sunshine and Freckles

    $12.95

    George Herbert leaves Campion College for a teaching job in Florida…but little does he know he is walking into a wasp’s nest of anti-Catholic bigotry.  How can he help his students and their parents to learn the truth about the...

  • That Office Boy

    Rev. Francis J. Finn

    That Office Boy

    $12.95

    Michael Desmond is “That Office Boy” to Father Carney, president of St. Xavier’s School in Cincinnati.  When the Young Ladies’ Sodality decides to enter a popularity contest with the local paper to win a piano, chaos...