Historical fiction for middle graders, Hush of the Night tells the story of the discovery of the Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico in 1901-1902 from the point of view of the resident bat colony. Hush, one of the colony's younger members, foresees serious trouble the day a giant invades the bat roost. The giant (Jim White, a young cowboy), drawn to the scene by the spectacular nightly flights to the hunt, has decided to explore the mysterious cavern itself. He discovers its astonishing size and magnificent scenic rooms. The bat-giant conflict thereupon escalates as the colony struggles to defend...