About the Book

A Night Divided

A Night Divided

Author: Jennifer A. Nielsen
Pages: 317
ISBN: 0545682428
Genre: Historical Fiction, Young Adult
Publisher: Scholastic
Released: August 25, 2015

Rating:

Goodreads

Synopsis

From New York Times bestselling author Jennifer A. Nielsen comes a stunning thriller about a girl who must escape to freedom after the Berlin Wall divides her family between east and west.

With the rise of the Berlin Wall, twelve-year-old Gerta finds her family divided overnight. 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 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?


Buy the Book


Our Review


This story is fictional, but is based on real events. A Night Divided is a story of courage and heroism of those who lived behind the Berlin wall for 28 years.

I greatly enjoy historical fiction books and this one made the top of my list. A Night Divided is a YA book but I’m sure many adults such as myself will enjoy this just as much.Not to mention it came highly recommended by my kids too!

Jennifer Nielson did a fantastic job creating characters that you could actually attach to. Many times throughout this story I wondered “what if that were me? What would I do?” Bravery is not something we plan though… It’s certainly something that is only revealed when we are faced with such situations.

Filled with intense suspense, this story really grips you. Highly recommend.