The Mirage

The man shouted, so loudly that strings of Indian beads jiggled nervously on their rack. “You tried to steal my jewelry – and my dolls!” “No I didn’t!” Fawn’s lower lip was quivering. “Will – tell him I didn’t.”

Book: The Mirage by Nancy Rue, Bethany House Publishers/Focus On The Family, 2001

Genre: Historical Fiction

Target Audience: Boys 10-14

Subjects: World War II, Friendship, Relationship with family, racism, miracles, hope

Summary: A simple errand for Will’s mom lands Will and Fawn in serious trouble as a shop owner accuses them of thievery and they meet a young man who thinks Will’s house is his house. The bullies from school are more determined than ever to get them and Will’s uncle brings bad news from the war that sends Will’s mom into a depression, along with Will himself. Before this adventure is over, Will and Fawn will come face to face with prejudice and cruelty as a judge has to decide what consequences to give them for things beyond their control.

Notes: This is the fifth set of books in the Christian Heritage Series. Each set focuses on a particular time period and tells the story of a young boy growing up in that time. This set is about a young boy who is growing up during World War II while his father is off fighting in the battles. In this book, when bad news comes from the war Will starts to doubt God’s power and concern for them. It seems there is no reason to believe in miracles. Getting involved with a man who assumes everyone is convinced everyone is anti-Semitic gives Will and Fawn a chance to see just how powerful and concerned for them God really is. Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Romans 5:2-5 – And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.