Christian Author & Story
Hunger Winter: A World War II Novel
VERDICT: HIGHLY Recommended
(with caution)
Concern Level: Medium-Low
Christian Parent Review
Concern LevelMedium-Low
Concerning & Potentially Concerning Content
There is not much here in the way of concerning content. As you can imagine, the story revolves around a series of perilous events, but the author is very intentional to communicate the realness of what was going on while also keeping their target audience of children in mind. This is very well done. Never does the story go too far and become scary. All that said, while the author did what they could, there will be some readers where the idea of things like being captured by Nazi soldiers, hiding and running for their lives, no matter how light the author works to make it, may be too frightening. It may be worth reading one or two of the short chapters or even the whole book if this may be a concern. Note that the word torture is mentioned, but the book only shows questioning and manipulation for information. — The boy understandably fights some doubt as things get really hard all around him. This is again handled well in the story. For example, at one point he asks why God isn’t helping them, but then several occurrences happen that show clearly the reader that He is. Prayer and faith get more and more focus as time goes on to offset this. By the end he is praying to God for help. — The main character feels he is warned of something by God in a dream. This is again handled well as the author makes sure to have the young boy ask someone older about this and brings up a reference to remembering the instances where this happened in the Bible.
VerdictHIGHLY Recommended
Our Thoughts
How do you get a child to understand an event in history? The best answer… put them right inside the event via an engaging story, especially through the eyes of a main character their own age. This is the case here in a very well-done and exciting glimpse into an interesting portion of the overall events of World War 2. How can it be even better? By incorporating aspects of our Christian faith within the story. While not the most faith-infused book we have reviewed, there is enough here, especially as the story progresses, that your child will have several reminders of what is most important in times of trial. The best example comes when a grandmother says “That’s how Christians are. We love the cross because it’s a sign that even when things get really bad, Christ loves us and he’s coming back”. At another moment someone is reunited and says, “Last night I told Jesus I wanted to see you”. — The family dynamic is very solid and refreshing. This includes relationships between siblings and extended family. Dirk (13 years old) is constantly loving and sacrificing for Anne (6 years old), including willing to make the ultimate sacrifice. There are loving aunts, uncles, grandmothers and grandfathers. In fact, we find out an uncle was captured helping and warning others. — Prayer is often given a solid focus. A frequent family slogan is repeated many times, saying “keep your hopes and your prayers strong”. Early in the story the young sister tells her brother to pray, saying that is what Mom and Dad would do. — The story has a great ending and some solid bonus content. HIGHLY Recommended.
Plot SummaryNote: This information is typically from the publisher.
The story of one boy's quest to find his father and protect his younger sister during the great Dutch famine of World War II. — "Sometimes you have to take a chance, because it's the only chance you have." — Thirteen-year-old Dirk has been the man of the house since his papa disappeared while fighting against the Nazis with the Dutch Resistance. When the Gestapo arrests Dirk's older sister, who is also a Resistance fighter, Dirk fears that he and his little sister, Anna, might be next. — With only pockets full of food and his sister asleep in his arms, Dirk runs away to find his father. As Dirk leads Anna across the war-torn Netherlands, from farmyards to work camps, he must rely on his wits and his father's teaching to find his way.
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Other Reviews for this Book
Reformed Perspective
Highly recommend reading this review. It looks at the Christian content from another angle. From this publisher, why is there not more of it. This is certainly a fair perspective and emphasized by the fact that there is nothing in the author’s info or interview content we have seen attached to the book. Our highlighting of the content came from another perspective, namely that we didn’t see anything listed in the description, but then were pleasantly surprised by what we did see.
Read ReviewFaithfully Bookish (blog)
This is a really interesting review.
While this one seems to be a very solid resource, always be cautious with blogs until you feel confident in their content.
Read ReviewChristianbook (reviews)
While often useful, always be cautious with reviews that can be posted by anyone in these types of formats.
Read ReviewScripture Reflection
Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.
— Romans 8:5-8
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