The Curriculum Choice

Making homeschool decisions easy

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • About
    • Meet the Authors
  • Blog
  • How To Homeschool
    • By Review Team
    • Encouragement
    • New to Homeschooling
    • Organization
  • Reviews by Grade
    • Elementary
    • High School
    • Middle School
    • Preschool
  • Reviews by Subject
    • Bible
    • Economics
    • Fine Arts
      • Art
      • Music
    • Foreign Language
    • Highschool
    • History & Geography
      • Geography
      • History
    • Home Economics
    • Language Arts
      • Grammar
      • Handwriting
      • Literature
      • Phonics
      • Reading
      • Spelling
      • Vocabulary
      • Writing
    • Logic
    • Math
    • Science & Technology
      • Science
      • Technology
        • Apps


November 20, 2015 by: Annie Kate

Journey Through the Night by Anne de Vries

Journey Through the Night - Review at The Curriculum Choice by Annie Kate

When I started to read Journey Through the Night to my youngest daughters, they expected to be bored.  However, by the third paragraph one of them jumped up.  “What!  John does judo?”  The other one was interested by the next page.  As the story moved on, they begged for chapter after chapter.  Once, when I could not read aloud any longer, I stayed behind in the lawn chair and, forgetting all my duties, finished the entire book even though I had read it many times before!  When I talk to others who have read this book, they invariably tell me how wonderful it was.

So, what is this amazing book?  Journey Through the Night follows John and his family through the five years of Nazi occupation of the Netherlands.  Written by one of the country’s most popular novelists, this commissioned book became one of the country’s favorite war stories.

John and his family, shocked by the Nazi invasion of the Netherlands, drive across the country to pick up his little sister.  They encounter their first German soldier, have their first crisis of conscience, and inevitably become deeply involved in the resistance as the war drags on.  Throughout the novel, the author’s deep understanding of human nature makes the reader identify with John’s responses to the war, the occupation, the ethical dilemmas, the beautiful Sylvia, and the intrepid nurse Rita.  Nowhere is the horror of war minimized, but the goodness of God does shine throughout the endless years of suffering, doubt, and heart-wrenching decisions.

Although Journey Through the Night is about a teen, it is not only for teens.  It’s one of those books everyone should read at least once, and it’s worth a reread every decade for the intense humanity and deep thoughtfulness that runs through all the exciting events.  Also, it gives a nuanced and eyewitness account of World War 2 that will benefit any high school student studying those years.  (I should definitely have included it in my list of Top 20 Books to Read Aloud since it is better than many of the other ones on the list.)

Considerations:

  • This is a realistic war story, so violence happens.  Although the violence is not celebrated in any way and gruesome details are not emphasized, this book is not suitable for young children.
  • It helps to know Dutch geography, but it is not necessary; the events are easy to follow even if you don’t know where they are happening.
  • As with most translated books, the English does not quite flow effortlessly.  However, the story is exciting enough that even I did not notice it while reading aloud.

Journey Through the Night by Anne de Vries is not available from major booksellers but can be bought directly from Inheritance Publications.

Disclosure:  I borrowed an English version of this book from a friend and am not compensated for sharing my opinions.

Annie Kate (76 Posts)

Annie Kate and her husband are the parents of five busy blessings, ages 15-25. Though inspired by classical and Charlotte Mason education, they have discovered that the best learning involves real life: music, cooking, dairy farming, nature walks, bee keeping, reading, judo, blogging, website development, writing, gardening, photography, learning retail, working with horses, and more. Annie Kate's goal is to inspire and equip her children to love the Lord their God with all their heart, soul, and mind, and to love their neighbors as themselves.

Author Info

Singapore Primary Math – U.S. Edition
The Scrambled States of America Geography Game

Comments

  1. Kellie says

    November 21, 2015 at 1:22 pm

    We loved this book when we read it several years ago, and it’s on our reading list again for this year.

    Reply
  2. Carol says

    November 22, 2015 at 1:04 am

    ive got this book on the shelf waiting until my youngest is old enough to listen in when I read it aloud. I’ve heard many good things about over many years and appreciated more of an indepth look at what it’s about.

    Reply
  3. Annie Kate says

    November 23, 2015 at 8:33 am

    Enjoy, Kellie! If you’re like me, it will make you think deeply while it inspires your kids. Let me know what you think of it this time around!

    Don’t wait too long, Carol, or the older ones may no longer be around to listen to your regular read alouds…. That can happen. Sigh. Just reminding you.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

We are a veteran group of home educators with a mission – to spread the word about our favorite curricula and help YOU make informed decisions for your homeschool. Meet the review authors and browse the homeschooling tips they share!

Subscribe For Free Choosing Homeschool Curriculum Guide

Success! Please check your email and confirm your subscription.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

Sponsors and Affiliates

Homeschoolinghomeschool

Our Sister Websites

 


Follow Curriculum Choice's board Homeschool Reviews by The Curriculum Choice on Pinterest.

Recent Comments

  • Crystal Green on 5 June Homeschool Family Fun Ideas
  • Lisa on The Story Of…An Introduction To The Classics – Music Appreciation for Homeschoolers
  • Kristen Bartkiw on Elemental Science’s Biology for The Logic Stage
  • Heidi Ciravola on All American History – The Civil War to the 21st Century
  • Wendy Young on All American History – The Civil War to the 21st Century
  • Advertising
  • Disclosure Policy
  • Philosophies
  • Request a Review

Copyright © 2022 · The Curriculum Choice, a Southern Hodgepodge, L.L.C. site.