Historical Fiction Review: How Huge the Night

How Huge the Night is a historical fiction novel that gives readers a glimpse into daily life in southern France as the Nazi's were coming into power.  Written by Heather Munn and Lydia Munn, this book captures the tale of young boys facing the realities of war, and realizing that their actions can make a difference in the lives of people around them. 

The story offers timely opportunities to explore values as characters face fear, deception, racism, gender discrimination, poverty and inequality.  Readers will identify with their struggles with bullying, revenge, isolation, helping others, earning respect, gaining responsibility and developing friendships.  There are powerful contemplations about faith, as characters vocalize and wrestle with questions, such as, "Is God real?", "Does God really care about me?", "How does God expect me to love my enemies?", "Where is hope in a dark world?", and "Is life worth living?". 

The story is a great reminder that we all have unique skills and resources to help others - whether that is paying a train fare for a desolate child, guiding a boy to visit his sick sister, or sharing food with a hungry neighbor.  Every ordinary person has the potential to be a hero, if only we keep our eyes open to the happenings around us. 

The text is slow-moving at times, but the characters are well-developed and the lessons learned are well worth the time reading.  I would especially recommend this book for home school students, Christian schools, and readers who want an inside view of life during World War II.

Disclaimer: The publisher sent me a copy of this book in exchange for providing my honest review of the product.  I was not required to give positive feedback, but was asked for my honest opinions.