The Mission

“I didn’t know then what I know now – not really,” Will said. Mom’s lips twitched. “And what, pray tell, is that?” “That Dad really has been rescued and he’s coming home.” “Well, we certainly like to think – “ No, Mom, I know. You’re the one who’s always telling me you pray for the things you want and if you have enough faith, they’ll come true.”

Book: The Mission 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, faith, hope, prayer

Summary: His dad IS coming home. Will’s sure of it. Some American prisoners of war were rescued and surely Will’s father will be among them. In the meantime, Will and Fawn want to do all they can to help the war effort. So when they get asked during a concert how much they will raise in war bonds, Fawn boldly proclaims $500! At first Will has no idea how

they’re going to raise that much, but then he comes up with a great plan and enlists a new friend’s help in it. But their plans get messed up when, on his way to meet his friend, Will gets caught by the bullies from school who hate him so much.  

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, Will has to learn a bit of the same lesson as in book two. Bad news from war makes Will believe he has to take action himself because God isn’t going to. He shifts his faith from God to himself – and promptly starts to make quite a mess of things! He has to learn how to trust in God and keep praying even when God doesn’t immediately give him the answers he wants.

 Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Colossians 4:2 –  Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.