Title: Night Preacher
Author: Louise A. Vernon
Major Themes: Anabaptists, Netherlands, Menno Simons, Persecution
Synopsis: Bettje and Jan didn’t understand why their family was always on the run, and why they were not to tell anyone that their father was Menno Simons.
When I was very young, my parents bought several of Louise A. Vernon’s books for children about famous Christians from Reformation times. I read them over and over, loving those glimpses into life hundreds of years ago. One that I particularly remember reading was Night Preacher, about Menno Simons.
Publisher’s description:
This story is told through the eyes of Bettje and Jan, children of Menno Simons, who lived almost 500 years ago. Menno Simons was first a Catholic priest. As he read and studied the Bible, Menno began to understand the Christian life in a different way. Eventually, he became an Anabaptist preacher. It was against the laws of that time for him to preach, so Menno’s preaching was done in secret at night to small groups. Soon, Menno Simons became the leader of the Anabaptists, now known as Mennonites.
My thoughts:
I would say that Night Preacher was probably one of the first historical fiction books I ever read. It made Menno Simons very real to me, along with the beginning of the Anabaptist movement. I will say, though, that I was a bit annoyed with Louise A. Vernon; in one scene in the middle of this book, she has Bettje and her mother using a churn to make cheese! Because I learned to make butter at a very young age, I knew that was wrong. Other than that little glitch, however, I would say that the book is probably fairly accurate as far as the time and the history.
Night Preacher is an engaging story about a family. Bettje and Jan couldn’t understand why they had to be secretive about their father, and why their family was always on the run, but eventually they learned the reason. I liked the way they cared for their sick mother and their little sister, and did what they could to protect their family. This book is a good choice for those who love historical fiction!
No warnings!
Age levels:
Listening Level—Ages 5 – 8, 8 – 12, Family Friendly
Reading Independently—Ages 8 – 12
Links to buy this book:
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com
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