With the rise of the Berlin Wall, twelve-year-old Gerta finds her family suddenly divided. She, her mother, and her brother Fritz live on the eastern side, controlled by the Soviets. Her father and middle brother, who had gone west in search of work, cannot return home. Gerta knows it is dangerous to watch the wall, to think forbidden thoughts of freedom, yet she can’t help herself. She sees the … the East German soldiers with their guns trained on their own citizens; she, her family, her neighbors and friends are prisoners in their own city.
But one day, while on her way to school, Gerta spots her father on a viewing platform on the western side, pantomiming a peculiar dance. Then, when she receives a mysterious drawing, Gerta puts two and two together and concludes that her father wants Gerta and Fritz to tunnel beneath the wall, out of East Berlin. However, if they are caught, the consequences will be deadly. No one can be trusted. Will Gerta and her family find their way to freedom?
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I think it was amazing when you pick up one of her books you never want to put it down.
I have read lots of historical fiction, but nothing about the Berlin Wall – which actually fascinates me. This book was amazing – amazing details, amazing character building. I felt fear and anxiety for these characters. Appears to be very well researched.
I first saw this book in my children’s Book Fair at school. After discussing some other historical fiction with a friend, I decided to go ahead and read it (finally!) I’m so glad I did. I’ve heard of the struggles Berlin had after the wall, but this is the first fictional story I’d seen or read about it. I appreciate how the author was able to make it into a story that young adults would enjoy reading, but also learn something about history in the process. It was easy to connect with Gerta and want to know what became of her and her family. Adding in the difficulties with her friends and neighbors made the book even more realistic and tragic.
It’s hard to imagine what it must have been like for the families that were divided when the wall went up, but this book brings you a little bit closer to seeing what it could have been like. The bravery that Gerta, and eventually her entire family showed was inspiring. We should always remember to speak up about injustices and fight for what we know is right. No one has the right to tell us what to think or believe. Not even the government.
If this book isn’t already being used in the classroom for a historical fiction selection, I think it should be. This book touched me, much like Number the Stars and The Book Thief did. I’m not usually a big fan of Historical fiction, but this book drew me in from the very first page and held my attention to the very end.
This book is a mix of things. A girl name Gerta and her older brother Fritz tries to find their way back to their dad and brother after the Berlin Wall builds up which splits the family apart for almost a couple years. I keep reading this book over and over again! It deals with realistic fiction and it almost feels like you’re in it too!
I have always loved reading Historical fiction. I like reading about World War 11 the best because it gives me the idea of how everyone else felt when they were experiencing the war. This was a great read. I give it five stars!
I found this book to be so interesting while also being a page turner too! You learn about the history of the Berlin Wall while sitting on the edge of your seat until the very end, anticipating one family’s freedom. I read this book in 8 hours. I then passed it along to a friend who read it in an evening; who passed it onto her husband who also read it in a day. It’s an amazing read.
awesome book would 100% recommend!!
This is by far on my top 10 list of books, it is about a family who gets separated by the berlin wall. It informed me of the berlin wall and some of the things families had to go through 9.5/10
I love this book so much and think that all the characters are brave and have gone tho so much. i recommend reading this book if you like historical fiction.
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This book is amazing! You pick it up and never want to put it down, I enjoy reading historical fiction but this book really got me interested in that genre.
I like this book because i read this book with my class and its a really historic and a happy and sad book! i think this a great book!
The suspense in this book was having me sweat while reading this. I could learn about the history and sympathize with Gerta at the same time. This novel is utterly amazing.
Having read Jennifer Nielsen’s Resistance only a week ago, I decided to go ahead and read A Night Divided. Unlike Resistance, Divided seemed to me to be slow start; however, the action/plot picked up quickly and the fear created by the situation increases to a dramatic ending. Nielsen created an East Germany, hidden behind the wall, that is familiar to those of my age. I lived in West Germany for six years and once took a tour to see that infamous wall. I read stories about escapes and escape attempts.
I believe this book should be required reading for all students, as its story transcends all time, all settings, and all history. It is a story of freedom.
Days before, during and after WWII were hard for all to live. We need to learn all we can to watch for signs that such will never happen again.
so amazing
_jade rowling
It is vary fun to read i would recommend this book
One of the best historical fiction books for children.
A good introduction to the Cold War and life behind the Berlin Wall for young adults plus a very readable and relatable plot line.
I alternated pages with my 11 year old son and we both really enjoyed it.