This Batchelder Award winner was first published in French and is the author's second award winning novel. A Time of Miracles is a very powerful book, but for a children's book may be a little confusing for the American reader. The story often jumps around from place to place around countries close to Russia, as well as in France. However, if the reader sticks with the story and give the book a chance, it has a very compelling story about a young boy Blaise "Koumail" Fortune. Blaise has grown up on the run from an on going war between the Chechnya people and the Georgians after the decline of the Soviet Union in 1989. Traveling with a woman named Gloria, who took him in after she found his mother barely alive, clutching the young baby, she took Blaise with her and has helped him survive. They have lived in compounds, met interesting and troubled people, learned to live on their own means, and become a family of sorts. However, even though Gloria's love for Blaise is genuine, she has not always been honest with him. Can they survive the journey to a "free" France, or will Gloria's secret tear them apart?
Even though this novel has somewhat of a slow start, the characters are likeable, and very easy for a child to connect with. I like how realistic and detailed Bondoux's story is, and how she makes war very real. For a child that has never seen war, or its effects, it is quite an eye opening book. I think a lot of students can connect with the character of Blaise because he has been through a lot of obstacles at a very young age, and unfortunately most of students have also been through life changing events. It is an excellent story about survivial, loyalty, and love.
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