A Night Divided

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?

My Thoughts:

-    Jennifer is one of my favorite Utah Authors. Her books are so clever and amazing, and she is just an all around nice lady. I've only read her False Prince books, but I've been wanting to read more, and I finally did! 

-    The writing is so good! When I read this, it felt effortless. The story just unfolded in my mind, and it didn't even feel like reading. I just absorbed the story. 

-    I love stories about the Berlin Wall. It intrigues me, especially stories about the Candy Bomber. 

-    Most of the story is about dirt, and digging the dirt, but I wasn't bored. I was thoroughly entertained the whole time.

-    I think this book is perfect for the target audience. It covers the sad and scary parts of history in a very real but safe way. I also love that anyone could pick up this book and enjoy it. Great storytelling!