Today I'm reviewing A Night Divided by Jennifer A. Nielsen.
Age group: 8 - 12
Page count: 336 pages
_______________________________________________
Summary from Amazon:
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 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?
Why I like the book:
- The setting in East Berlin is described so well. Jennifer Nielsen explains clearly the division between the city and how it's divided. It makes you want to find out more about what's going on.
- This book is so suspenseful! You have no idea what's going to happen next, and it keeps you constantly worried about the characters.
- The plot and ending is fantastic! Definitely a reread!
Before I rate this book, let's look a the cover. It is beautiful! If you can't read the writing on the bottom right, it says: The wall divided her family. Escaping it might take her life. I love how the title is written in barbed wire.
I give A Night Divided a 8/10 or 0.8 or 8.0/10.0 or fraction eight on top, ten on the bottom!
It is wonderful!
Author bio:
Her website is at http://www.jennielsen.com/
Thank you!
- Vi