In the Dark Streets Shineth

This short ‘chapter’ book takes students to Christmas Eve in 1941. War was raging through the world when President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill met at the White House. These two leaders delivered messages to the world that are just as important in 2021 as in 1941. This is a poignant story about the spirit of Christmas and the power of light to shine in the darkness of despair and danger. There are multiple stories in the book—the Christmas meeting between the two leaders and the stories behind the Christmas songs “O Little Town of Bethlehem” and “I’ll be Home for Christmas.” The book contains primary source photographs and messages that uplift. The text of Roosevelt’s Christmas Eve message and that of Churchill are in the back matter. These messages contribute much to the story that is written with words and conveyed through the photographs. Although a short ‘chapter’ book without chapters, this book should become a treasure for exploring the deeper meanings behind the unity of Christmas.

David McCullough is a Pulitzer Prize-winning author of many historical books for adults. He has been the recipient of many prestigious awards for adult literature. He has been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award given to a citizen of the United States. While not a writer for children I would be pleased to introduce him to my upper grade students. My favorite quote from him is, “Nothing ever invented can give you a bigger life than a book.” Before he grew up and became a writer and speaker he had a wide range of interests, including sports and drawing cartoons. His family often talked about history and he feels there needs to be more talk about the people and places of history. He says that he actually “loved school, every day.”

Pathways: My World & Others, Yesterday, Social Issues & Justice

Reviewed by Krystal Bishop, EdD

Professor of Education

Southern Adventist University

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