A Window to the World

by Susan Meissner, Tavia Gilbert (Narrator)

Here is the dramatic story of two young girls, Megan and Jen, who meet in first grade and quickly become inseparable friends.

Inseparable, that is, until one of them is snatched away by kidnappers as the other young girl watches helplessly.  

The remaining child grows up with the haunting memory of her friend’s abduction...and absence from her life.  Then, sixteen years later, the stunning truth of the disappearance

is revealed. And once again, lives are changed forever.

This wonderful and heartrending second novel endears the reader to every character in this intriguing story. A testament to God’s ability to “work all things together for good.” A smashing follow–up to the author’s well–received first novel, Why the Sky Is Blue.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction, Audiobook, Mystery, Contemporary, Christian, Adult

Audio CD

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Susan Meissner is a USA Today bestselling novelist with more than a million books in the hands of readers, and in eighteen languages. Her critically acclaimed works of historical fiction have been named to numerous lists including Publishers Weekly’s annual roster of 100 best books, Library Reads Top Picks, Real Simple annual tally of best books, Goodreads Readers’ Choice awards, Booklist’s Top Ten, and Book of the Month.

She attended Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego and is a former managing editor of a weekly newspaper. Susan’s expertise as a storyteller and her thoroughly researched topics make her a favorite author of book clubs everywhere. Her engaging and warm speaking style appeal to all manner of women’s groups, literary organizations, libraries and learning institutions, and service clubs.

When she is not working on a new novel, she enjoys teaching workshops on writing, spending time with her family, music, reading great books, and traveling.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Susan Meissner is fast becoming one of my favorite authors. Loved this book and (almost) wish I hadn't read it yet so I could read it again for the first time.
First of all, as I have stated on many an occasion, if the setting is somewhere with which I am familiar, I will more than likely be immediately drawn in. A Window to the World takes place in San Diego, where I resided for about 12 years. The frequent name dropping of cherished landmarks, such as Del Mar Beach, had me waxing nostalgic for my former stomping grounds. Next, the book begins in a classroom setting (googly-eyed teacher here) and traces the lives of two families over the course of 16 years. Best of all, this book deals with questions of faith in a non-preachy manner. Down-to-earth, relatable characters question their relationships with God, with each other, and how these relationships impact each other.
So, in review. favorable setting: check. Interesting story: check. Relatable characters: check. In summary, a definite "good read" and one I will not soon forget.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very inspirational read. Once I started this book I couldn't put it down. I read it in 2 days. The trauma that 8 year old Megan had to deal with and how it played out into adulthood was very inspiring. I thought the wrap up was a little brief and quick but I loved the book and look forward to reading more books by this author.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a good one. But it is not an easy read emotionally. It can be a quick read for just story.
One reviewer mentioned “ambiguous grief” as one topic of this book. I definitely agree.
I got bogged down a bit at times but the terrific ending surprised me … so that I rated it four stars.
Not my favorite Meissner book .. but a good one.
My pick for July 2022 book club.
(I loved Why the Sky is Blue and heard this one was related but I don’t see a connection.)
Discussion questions at her website.

[writer... · Rating 5 out of 5]

WoW! In the running for best book of the year for me. Impressive story, unique characters and well developed relationships. I was caught up in the emotions and devastating effects of the tragedy on all those connected to the child, the families, and throughout the years. Such a good story!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Susan Meissner. I've enjoyed several books by her and her writing is solid, the characters interesting and the plots engaging. This book is one of her earlier works and though she is billed as a Christian author, her religious overtones are usually a bit more subtle in her later works. I have no issue with the Christianity in this story but it is front and center and may get in the way of a more secular audience. Overall, though, an enjoyable read.

[Christina DeVane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would give this 3.5 stars. It was a little slow at times, but I did like how at the end there was a good moral to the story. God puts everything in your life for a reason and brings people along your path to help in trials and guide you.

[Lauren Acosta · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ cute sweet story

[Anissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author has a way of creating tension in the story that keeps you sucked in the whole time. It is very predictable but still enjoyable. The religous theme is a nice tie in.

[Kerstin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book when it was first published and having enjoyed so many other books by Susan Meissner since, I was perplexed that I could not remember this story line. Now available as an audiobook and read by favourite narrator, Tavia Gilbert, I revisited "A Window to the World".

Megan and Jen become fast friends at age 8; their families polar opposites of each other; which heightens the tension once Jen is abducted. As one family implodes, the other is helpless in soothing Megan's pain. I thought it so clever that Adelle's character was brought into Megan's life, it is very realistic that those who are the closest to our pain are often simply too close to be of help. Adelle is emotionally removed and only knows Megan post Jen, offering a haven to Megan which creates conflict with Megan's mother. The story does skip foward over several years and we see how Megan, clearly suffering from PTSD, has tried to move forward. I was disappointed that the PTSD was not mentioned as such, it would have been a great "teachable moment". The mystery surrounding Jen's brother Charlie and his being tied to Megan in a way that no one seems to understand was another favourite aspect in the book. Child abduction is absolutely horrifying. I am sure every reader wonders how they would feel not knowing what happened to their child. The statistics are grim, most marriages disintegrate, leaving siblings as collateral damage. Without something to anchor to, it is impossible to move on. Faith is not presented as an easy fix but it does contribute to Megan's eventual healing.

And then, the truth of Jen's abduction is finally is uncovered. But the truth does not wipe away the pain nor does it undo the actions of Jen's family. As a reader it was satisfying to discover the truth, but there was some melancholy knowing what it cost Megan. I struggled with liking Jen, saying anything more would spoil the ending.

[Jacquie Stricklind · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was slow in the beginning but got good in the middle and really good towards the end. Two girls instantly connect when they meet and become very close then one day when they are together looking for coins in the streets to buy ice cream something terrible happens to one of the girls and the other is deeply affected. She tries to get on with her life but can't seem to let go of her friend, the book goes ahead 15 years and Megan is about ready to finish college and one day when she is at her parents home attending a friend's funeral, she gets a phone call that will change her again. Read the book to find out how that phone call affects her.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my favorite Meissner book. I actually didn't love it. The subject material of a child kidnapping was hard to read as a mom. It made me physically ill to think what Megan's mom and Jenn's mom were going through. I do like that Megan could see at the end that the tragedy in her life also brought about good things like being friends with Adelle. I liked the religious undertones in the book and it was interesting that Charlie's lack of faith was what eventually made them not compatible as a couple.

[Melissa James · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a pretty quick and easy read with substance. It tackles the subject of ambiguous grief where different people cope with their grief in different ways based upon their personalities and unique relationships. It is about hope and healing, through help from God we can overcome traumatic experiences.

[Tawnda Andrews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite of Meissner’s novels but still an excellent read. I think that there was just too much sadness in this one and a feeling like while the characters “resolved” things, I still was left feeling sad. Ms. Meissner isn’t in the habit of wrapping things up in bows but I’d have preferred a little more of an ending.

[Brigette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another book that I first read several years ago and decided to reread now. And fortunately, I do still like this one.

It's a very easy, quick read, but I really liked the characters, especially Megan. I really connected to her in some ways, so that probably affected my enjoyment a lot too. It's a very internal, character-centered book, so I feel like you almost have to like her and the other characters in order to enjoy this book.

I also liked that even though it is considered a "Christian book", it's not really focused on being super preachy. I think there are a couple moments where it could be seen like that, but for the most part, it's just integrated into the characters lives like in real life. And the book doesn't go out of its way to convert every single character either. The focus is kept mainly on the actual story, as it should be. So I really liked that.

I do feel like the story gets wrapped up a little too perfectly, especially considering what the main conflict/tragedy is, but I get why the author wrote it like that, so I can somewhat let it slide.

So yeah, I still liked it overall.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't want to spoil the book for anyone. I have been reading all the Susan Meissner books that I can get a hold of on audiobooks. The books are on Christian audio but they are not like Christian books I've read in the past. I had a feeling I knew what was going to happen, predictable, but not the details were a surprise. I just like how she is very subtle in communicating faith in a positive way and I don't have to worry about reading anything that is course, bad language or explicit anything. This is not my favorite of all her books but I still liked it. The characters are real. I mean, the parents get a divorce. This one event in the life of the protagonist really shaped her life. I thought maybe she over-reacted and should have gotten some help getting over what happened but it made for a good story with a satisfying ending.

[Cindi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was drawn into the story almost immediately. The characters were realistic. It got to the point where I thought of them as friends and neighbors. It's not often that a book can make me feel as though I'm a part of the story, but this one did.

I don't recall ever reading a novel that was based on a kidnapping. I felt this was well done and seeing how many people something like this can affect really opened my eyes.

There were several characters that I really learned to care about. Adele was definitely my favorite. She was such a caring and wise lady who took the time to share her faith and kindness and had a huge impact on those she knew. I hope that I can be more like her in my own life.

I look forward to reading more by this author.

[Kristen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh, the plot of this book was all over the map. It appears to be Susan Meissner's attempt to write a mystery/page turner but detours into a story about Christian faith and beliefs and then returns to wrap up the mystery in the least likely way. Meissner is a Christian writer and all of her books touch on the Christian faith, but in this story, the Christian themes were shoe-horned in making for an awkward read. This just seemed like two separate stories rather than one cohesive one. And, for as much time as was spent on the faith portion, I finished the book with no clue why the main character believed what she believed.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the author's second novel, and again much more explicitly "Christian centered" than her later works, mentioning prayer, need for a Savior, God's will in our lives, etc. All have been squeaky clean and easily recommended but these first two may put off some readers if they aren't expecting them to be faith based.

This book explores how personal life events and circumstances (both good & bad), as well as our decisions and responses to those, shape our personality. Not my favorite of Meissner's novels but I am continuing to search for her first books and certainly look forward to the release of "Under the Canopy of Heaven" in February 2018.

[Melinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think that this book gave a decent perspective into what what both the family and friends would experience after a sudden child abduction. What must a husband and wife do to stay together, especially when one decides their child is dead and the other refuses to. What about siblings and her best friend? The story line jumps over years of time quite often, leaving out any details of what happened during that time, but this does help the plot move along at a quicker pace. I liked the friendship and strength built between Adele and Megan. In the drudges of tragedy, Adele was an excellent remedy for healing.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable quick read. Once I started it, I just had to know what the next turn of events was for Jen and Megan . The supporting characters were introduced at the right times and were all likable. I loved David and enjoyed the change that Chaz underwent as time went by. Charlie AKA Chaz seemed like a mean entitled child but as time went by I liked what the author did with his character. The trauma that was experienced by these little girls haunted and forever changed their lives as well as the lives of their families. The end had a twist that seemed to wrap up rather quickly but the closure was fulfilling enough for the reader. Great summer read.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't listened to anything by Meissner that I didn't love.

Here is the dramatic story of two young girls, Megan and Jen, who meet in first grade and quickly become inseparable friends.

Inseparable, that is, until one of them is snatched away by kidnappers as the other young girl watches helplessly.

The remaining child grows up with the haunting memory of her friend’s abduction...and absence from her life. Then, sixteen years later, the stunning truth of the disappearance

is revealed. And once again, lives are changed forever.

[Brandi Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book starts off really good and captured my attention immediately. However, what I thought was foreshadowing of something else was actually just random details that had absolutely nothing to do with the storyline (Jen gave Megan Mexican coins, her parents went to Mexico often, they traveled often, parents were constantly out of the picture). The ending felt rushed and didn’t really tie it all together for me. I like Susan Meissner’s writing but this one wasn’t my favorite book. Totally clean and safe for YA though.

[Anne Fallon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Every mothers nightmare, their child is kidnapped in the middle of the day in front of her best friend and is gone for 15 years, shattering one family apart and leaving the other little girl with nightmares, scars and extreme shyness. There is always good that comes out of bad and this is focused on as well. A good story and quick read. Not nearly as compelling as some of her other books but a decent read.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a great book! It showed how family and friend’s of one of the girls who was kidnapped were able to cope and eventually move on with their lives while building new relationships. It is very heavy on God and religion which I wasn’t crazy about being an agnostic but the author is married to a pastor so it’s what she is used to I guess. Other than that, a very good book about love and family even if the family isn’t related by blood.

[Phoebe · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book. I love books that are set in the 1980s and 1990s. There's some Godly stuff in here, a traumatic event (not detailed, not horrific/graphic) that shapes the main character in many ways. The ending was a bit cookie cutter for me and somewhat unbelievable - but the trauma event isn't meant to be the point of the story. It's just meant as a way for the main character, Megan, to learn how God works and how the world is as a whole.

[CYNTHIA · Rating 2 out of 5]

I prefer Meissner’s historical fiction to this mixture of mystery and faith based story.


Here is the dramatic story of two young girls, Megan and Jen, who meet in first grade and quickly become inseparable friends.

Inseparable, that is, until one of them is snatched away by kidnappers as the other young girl watches helplessly.

The remaining child grows up with the haunting memory of her friend's abduction...and absence from her life. Then, sixteen years later, the stunning truth of the disappearance is revealed. And once again, lives are changed forever.

This wonderful and heartrending second novel endears the reader to every character in this intriguing story. A testament to God's ability to "work all things together for good."

[S Sowell · Rating 4 out of 5]

although this isnt a Christian novel, it certainly had some ties to God and the main character soul-searches and finds her way back to God in the book. the story has a twisted turn mid-ways, then again right at the end. all ends well and as all of SM work, it is well written. so far, I've loved all of her work!

[Elizabeth Reid · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reaaaaalllly good plot! The writing was a bit detailed and methodical for me (turning on light switches, changing dryer sheets, etc), even though that writing did help personify the characters. And YES, you do find out what happened to one of the characters (I was so nervous it would remain a mystery!).

[Kellee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Intriguing read— Jen is abducted in front of her best friend, Megan. The story follows Megan as she navigates life after the horrific event. You come to meet different people-Charlie, David, Adele, who have significant impacts on Meg. And as the story continues, follow Meg as she is reunited with Jen.

[Lorna R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Child abduction. Interesting how it affected everyone's life on how they coped, adjusted and worked through the loss.
I liked the book. It just goes to show that you can't judge people for any reason, because there's always a reason they act or re-act to situations. You don't know their history.
Everyone has a story.