The Battle

“You have fought your own battles during this war, Thomas”, Papa said. “Right there in your own soul. I think you’ve come through it all feeling God’s hand.”

Book: The Battle (Christian Heritage Series: The Williamsburg Years #12) by Nancy Rue, Focus on the Family Publishing, 1997

Genre: Historical Fiction

Target Audience: Boys 11-15

Subjects: Revolutionary War, Politics, Friendship, Reputation, Anger, Relationships with family, Secrets

Summary: The war is building up to a climax and more and more of Thomas’ loved ones are being torn away. It’s getting far too dangerous for him and Caroline to play together as the patriots hatred toward the loyalists reaches new and dangerous levels. Both of his brothers are gone. And now even Dr. Quincy – who doesn’t believe in fighting at all – is going off willingly in order to doctor the soldiers! By the time this war is over, will there be anything good left?

Notes: This story focuses on the life of a young boy growing up as a patriot during the time of the Revolutionary War. His best friend and teacher are loyalists – some of the only ones in town, so he finds himself in the midst of much tension there. Then there’s tension within his own home as his father tends towards a more peaceful approach and his brother is determined to run off and join the army. It’s a story of growing up, and a story of growing in knowledge of and relationship with God. In this book, the war comes to it’s conclusion but with it comes the death of a loved one and the loss due to a move, of another. Thomas has to deal with the worst blows yet. But he also has the opportunity to grow that much stronger spiritually as he turns to God with his hurts and struggles.

Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.