a great collaboration.

Shades of Mercy by Anita Lustrea & Caryn Rivadeneira is a coming of age love story about a fifteen-year-old farmer’s daughter named Mercy Millar who is deeply in love with her lifelong friend, Mick, a Maliseet Indian. The romance that buds between these two teenagers must remain hidden because well…it’s 1954 in rural Maine, and a harsh hatred for Indians was palpable during this time. When racial tensions escalate and Mick is thrown in jail under suspicion of murder, Mercy nearly loses all hope-in love and in God himself. Throughout the story, the author’s challenge readers to think about social justice issues, reminding us that loving our neighbor should not have contingencies. Shades of Mercy is an easy read, filled with lovable characters, and lessons that every teenager and adult alike should learn.