A Night Divided

This book is totally amazing!!! I think Jennifer A. Nielsen is the best author , I rate this book five stars,and I would also recommend Jennifer A. Nielsen's book the false prince trilogy if you haven't read it already
Love,megan

n case you hadn’t already noticed by my previous reviews of her books, I’m a fan of Jennifer A. Nielsen. She creates worlds that pull you in, and her writing keeps getting better. Nothing is more evident of that than her new book, “A Night Divided,” which is a departure from her more fantastical imaginings.

When I was in school, history was jam packed at the beginning, but we always seemed to run out of time by the 1940s. We’d finish up World War II and rush through the rest of the century. Because of that, the Cold War era has always felt a little impersonal to me. I was 9 when the wall fell. I remember seeing people in tears on the TV, but I didn’t really understand it. That’s why I’m glad books like “A Night Divided” have and are being written. With “A Night Divided” the era is brought to life.

The plot of “A Night Divided” is perfect for a movie, book or play. You couldn’t ask for better. But what really makes it work is Jennifer’s ability to build and maintain tension. She masterfully creates a tone that pushes the reader forward, almost willing you to turn page after page after page. That combined with flawed but likeable characters makes this book a winner.

Review copy provided by the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.

When she was only eight years old, Gerta's father and older brother Dominic sneaked from their home in Communist East Berlin into the West. They intended to stay only a weekend in order to make plans, hoping to return home for Gerta, her mother and other brother Fritz.

But life had other plans. Just before the two were to return, the government put up the Berlin Wall, separating the family permanently.

Now Gerta is 12, and it doesn't seem likely that her family will ever be reunited.

One day Gerta receives a mysterious note and a sign. She becomes convinced that her father is telling her to dig a tunnel into West Berlin - a crime punishable by death.

How much are Gerta and her family truly willing to risk for freedom?

Nielsen has clearly done a great deal of research into life in 1960s East Germany, deftly interweaving it with her own unique characters. This book is a wonderful introduction for readers of all ages into a dark period of history, easily relatable and long remembered.

Summary: When Gerta was 8, her father and brother Dominic went to west Berlin to look for work, preparing to move there from the east. While they’re gone, the Berlin wall goes up overnight. Four years later, she spots the two of them on an observation platform on the western side of the wall. Her father seems to be pantomiming for her to dig; when he manages to smuggle her a picture of a building, Gerta is sure she and her other brother Fritz should start digging a tunnel through the wall for the family to escape. As they work on their tunnel, suspicions of their neighbors and friends grow, and before long, completing the tunnel becomes a life-and-death proposition for them. Grades 5-8.

Pros: An eye-opening story of life behind the Iron Curtain during the early 1960’s, with danger lurking everywhere for Gerta and her family, resulting in an exciting story from start to finish.

Cons: The page-turning suspense was so intense that I thought I might need to book a cardiologist appointment before I was done.

Imagine a couple members of your family go out of town for a night. When darkness descends a fence is erected; enclosing your home, neighbors and half of the city. From the next morning forward, part of your family is on one side of the fence, unequivocally separated from you.

Almost incomprehensible, yet this isn’t the beginning of a dystopian saga. A Night Divided is a heart-breakingly honest retelling of a monumental event experienced by the citizens of Berlin, merely fifty-four years ago. Certainly, most people know “of” The Berlin Wall; albeit in a vague, didn’t-I-hear-about-that-coming-down-David-Hosselhoff-or-something, kind of way. That really doesn’t seem good enough.

In her remarkably ingenious way, Ms. Nielsen took true government oppression and resilient, determined traits of the people to give us vibrant characters against gray, dismal lives. With unprecedented freedom to speak within the pages of this compelling tome; courageous, captivating—yet ordinary, every-day folks--tell their story in a way that will affect everyone.

Introduced as a spunky, outspoken little girl; Gerta grows exponentially, as she relays her years behind the wall in an admirably confident voice. Innocently, and only initially, Gerta watched invasive actions of the police against many of her East Berlin brethren. She puzzled as to why the adults just stood alongside her, also only watching. Frustration and anger quickly overtook her benign curiosity.

Bonding with her beloved older brother, repeatedly witnessing stark, harsh grief as time and again former friends were killed in escape attempts; Gerta learned. And she accepted. There was only one person that could initiate change and there was only one person that she could absolutely, wholly and completely trust. She had only herself. With that resolution, Gerta springs into a fast-paced, harrowing and gripping mission that takes the reader on an emotional roller coaster ride of feels.

As this young girl doggedly follows her heart, her spirit and hope spread to touch others with varying and surprising effects. More than one family’s story, or even one city’s story, A Night Divided is about true friendships, kindness, generosity, sacrifices and regrets. Of course, Ms. Nielsen wrote it, so it also stands that A Night Divided is just an outstanding, enthralling, fun read …. for Middle Graders, High Schoolers, Young Adults as well as Not-So-Young-Adults.

This review was written for Buried Under Books by jv poore.

I have always been freaked out by history, especially the World Wars. When I heard about 'A Night Divided' I was immediately disappointed because I didn't want to read something historical, fictional twist or not. But, it was Jennifer A. Nielsen and after reading 'The Ascendance Trilogy' I was determined that if anyone could make a good historical fiction book that I would enjoy, it would be her.
When I first got the book I flipped through the first pages and saw the old photographs of the wall and it reminded me how real this wall was.
It was such a different story and my heart wrenched as I read it, Nielsen has a gift with her writing, I was literally unable to put this book down.
Thank you, Jennifer for making me want to read an important part of our history.
A heartfelt applause to you!

Young people and others who love young adult literature will want to have this riveting book on their shelves. It makes The Cold War real, beginning with "There was no warning the night the wall went up." Find out why twelve-year old Gerta's family is split, with her father and one brother trapped in the west and herself and another brother, Fritz, and their mother and her mother in East Berlin. The restrictions and watchfulness of the Grenztruppen (border police) do not set well with the strong, independent Gerta or her brother who is soon to go into the Soviet military. One day Gerta thinks she sees her father on the other side, dancing and digging. Is he telling her to tunnel out? Could she? She would be risking prison, or death, despite her age. The courageous Gerta loves freedom more than life itself, but she wants to bring her family with her. Learn what it was really like in the postwar years for those living behind "The Iron Curtain." The book is dedicated, "For Llona, who made it out. And for all those who didn't."

We own some of Jennifer A. Nielsen's middle grade fantasy books. Just recently started The False Prince with my 10 year old (we were enjoying it), but didn't think it was appropriate to share with my 8 year old on car trips, so we started listening to A Night Divided in the car instead. I bought it on a whim with one of my precious credits (I like WWII fiction), and I do not regret it! We are now FANS.

A Night Divided is about a young girl whose father and younger brother snuck over to West Berlin in search of work and never returned because a temporary Berlin Wall was built literally overnight before they could sneak back. Gerta, her older brother Fritz, and their mother are left behind for years to face hardship and suspicion from neighbors and the German Stasi (East German Special forces).

Gerta, like her father, feels stifled in East Berlin. She wants to live and think freely. The majority of the book is about Gerta trying to find a way to reunite her family without alerting their close friends, neighbors or the police. My 13, 10, 8 year old and I were on the edge of our seats throughout the entire book because terrible things happen to people who try to escape or even talk of escape.

My kids didn't want to get out of our car! Could Gerta convince her mother and brother to go with her? Would she leave them behind? Was it worth dying for?

The characters were well developed, and there were some good supporting characters as well. I didn't notice until I read another review that only the police spoke with a German accent! I still think the narration was great. It wasn't as good as George Guidall in The Book Thief, but it was great nevertheless. The young-sounding female narrator was a good choice since the main character is a little girl. Her male voices were good too, being just a little deeper than the female voices.

The family is Christian, so fans of Christian fiction would enjoy it, but it wasn't in your face, more of a sprinkling of references to God, prayer, and the Bible. It wasn't the focus of the book.

I highly recommend for family listening. Note: there is some violence mentioned. Some people die. However, it's not graphic.

OMG – please end this! These were my thoughts as I was reading the end of this novel last night as I thought my heart couldn’t take it much longer. I was plowing through the pages yet I was trying to read each word as I thought if I skipped over just one word, I might just miss the most important event and Gerta’s world would all come crashing down. Wow! The second half of this book was rather intense. It seemed as if everyone was doing their own thing, tensions were high, my nerves were getting frazzled, and just when there seemed to be some relief in sight suddenly things turned around for the worse and I was right back on the edge of my seat and things didn’t slow down until the end of the novel. Jennifer Nielsen had me, I was stuck in 1961, between the East side and the West side of Germany, I was with Gerta trying to help get her family back together, digging and digging but the clock was ticking and time was running out.

The Wall went up overnight. The wall of wire and thorns which would later become concrete with shards of glass and watchtowers when the police realize people still wouldn’t obey their commands. Papa and Dominic left a few days ago to find housing and work in the West side for the family. Mama had refused to leave her home and her mother and now the Wall has divided the family leaving Gerta, Fritz and Mama in the East where promises of a better life have yet to materialize. Time passes and the Wall becomes a part of life but not for Gerta, she analyzes the individuals who patrol the Wall. She misses her brother and father and cannot wait for the day her family is reunited. People attempt to escape to the West side and there is talk of a resistance. Her brother is arrested and Fritz and Gerta find out that they have a police file. They haven’t been arrested before, yet they have a file? I love Gerta’s attitude when she discovers this information, she could be upset and want to know what’s in it but her attitude is, she really doesn’t care. She’s mad at the police for dividing her family up, she knows she must obey some laws or face the consequences if she doesn’t so she follows the laws to the bare minimum and later, she takes matters into her own hands. She is a fighter and she knows she must look after herself for right now, no one else is. What a terrific novel, one that will definitely get your heart racing.

A Night Divided was a vivid and heart-warming story about a determined girl's mission to bring her family together. The book can be enjoyed by all ages as it provides a unique perspective on the construction of the Berlin Wall. That being said, the main character is 12 and the young voice was a bit much for me at times. Even though the narrator is younger, she is true to her age; Gerta is a bit stubborn, sometimes moody, and at times naive but it all fit her personality very well.

The struggles Gerta and her family face and try to overcome really is the central focus of the book. Gerta gives the reader a view of what life would have been like during the West and East Berlin struggles. This is not a time frame I am quite familiar with so I found the story to be a refreshingly different historical fiction.

The family dynamics between Gerta and her brother Fritz evolve over the course of the story into something wonderful. The book is mixture of family bonding moments and high stake actions. A Night Divided is a family-oriented, well written, historical fiction that glimpses into the life of a 12 year old girl digging for her freedom. I recommend this book especially to a younger reader!

—VB Book Reviews—

"This book caught my eye on the racks of a bookstore—and from that instant, I was hooked." -Violet Bear Reviews

Explore what it's like inside the tiny, contained world trapped inside of the boundaries of the giant wall that locked in East Germans for years. Experience it through the eyes of a bold young girl, named Gerta, who's father is untrusted in everyone's eye. Gerta's determined to be reunited with her father and brother, whom she was/is separated with because of the stubborn wall in her way. Using the help of her brother, they stir up a dangerous plan to get themselves out of the cage they're in. If they're caught—then something far more worse than death will happen to them.
---

STATS:

Content Style: Historical Fiction
Page Length: 317 (not including bonus content)
Appeals to: Girls & boys ages 10-15
NEW VB RANK: Violence Meter (10 most violent): 5

QUESTION(S) YOU MAY WONDER:

Q: I don't like romance....
A: Don't worry! This book doesn't have a lot of romance at all! Only little mentions about Gerta's older brother's girlfriend.

Q: What are some positive elements in this story?
A: There is a strong bond between brother and sister, and it focuses on the power of family!

Vi Bear Says:

A great read!! I love great books, and this is one of them! The author paints a accurate story that shares what its like inside the dull and forced lives inside of 'the Wall'. A vivid, powerful theatrical experience is created when you scan chapter after chapter of "A Night Divided"!

- Violet Bear Book Reviews

A Night Divided by Jennifer A. Nielsen is about a family who is split by the Berlin Wall during the Cold War. Greta, her brother Fritz and their mother are stuck in East Berlin and her Father and other brother Dominic are in West Berlin. Greta and Fritz don’t like the Communist government running the country but are still trying to stay under the radar because they are afraid of the Stasi, the secret police. When Greta sees her father telling her to dig from one of the West’s platform she doesn’t quiet understand what it means. She soon realizes that he is telling her to tunnel out of East Berlin, that it is more essential then ever before because her brother will soon be old enough to join the military. This book is a great Middle Grade book about the Berlin Wall, I don’t know very much about the Cold War, only what I have learned in my APUSH class. And this book was really interesting because it showed the different generations attitudes about what was happening in East Berlin, the adults were tired of fighting while the young adults and children couldn’t understand why they weren’t fighting. I would recommend this book to middle school history lovers.

"A Night Divided" is a compelling piece of historical fiction. The story centers around Gerta and her family who with the construction of the Berlin Wall, find themselves separated. Gerta, her mother, and brother Fritz are trapped on the east side of the wall while her father and middle brother who had gone west to look for work are unable to return to them. The Soviets, who control the eastern side of the wall, impose draconian laws to keep residents in East Germany under their control. The state police, the Stasi are brutal in their treatment of those they deem to be threats, and Gerta finds her own family in danger.

This is a compelling and well-written story that explores life in Germany before reunification. Gerta has a strong voice and readers will find a lot to relate to in terms of her anxieties, her hopes, and dreams. Recommended for grades 4-8.

Gerta is the main character. Setting is in Berlin during the crisis and the wall is built to divide the city. Father and younger brother go to West Berlin to seek work. The wall goes up overnight and they cannot come home. Gerta, brother Fritz and mother are stuck in EAST Berlin. Over the course of time, Gerta and Fritz decide to dig a tunnel to the West. They see their father on the West side doing a dance and the digging motion. The two siblings work on this as much as possible to avoid the attraction of the soldiers. Mother is away carrying for the Grandma. When she comes home, surprisingly she joins in along with others that were opposed to escaping. Great history lesson on that era. My husband was in the National Guard and the 32nd Division was activated for 10 months because of Wall going up. To a large extend we say "he was called up to active duty during the Berlin Crisis" and no one can remember that. Great to recall the true facts of this era. A bit of prayers and bible reference included, but not overly religious. Good for YA portion of a church library.

—VB Book Reviews—

"This book caught my eye on the racks of a bookstore—and from that instant, I was hooked." -Violet Bear Reviews

Explore what it's like inside the tiny, contained world trapped inside of the boundaries of the giant wall that locked in East Germans for years. Experience it through the eyes of a bold young girl, named Gerta, who's father is untrusted in everyone's eye. Gerta's determined to be reunited with her father and brother, whom she was/is separated with because of the stubborn wall in her way. Using the help of her brother, they stir up a dangerous plan to get themselves out of the cage they're in. If they're caught—then something far more worse than death will happen to them.
---

STATS:

Content Style: Historical Fiction
Page Length: 317 (not including bonus content)
Appeals to: Girls & boys ages 10-15
NEW VB RANK: Violence Meter (10 most violent): 5

QUESTION(S) YOU MAY WONDER:

Q: I don't like romance....
A: Don't worry! This book doesn't have a lot of romance at all! Only little mentions about Gerta's older brother's girlfriend.

Q: What are some positive elements in this story?
A: There is a strong bond between brother and sister, and it focuses on the power of family!

Vi Bear Says:

A great read!! I love great books, and this is one of them! The author paints a accurate story that shares what its like inside the dull and forced lives inside of 'the Wall'. A vivid, powerful theatrical experience is created when you scan chapter after chapter of "A Night Divided"!

- Violet Bear Book Reviews

A Night Divided by Jennifer A. Nielsen is about a family who is split by the Berlin Wall during the Cold War. Greta, her brother Fritz and their mother are stuck in East Berlin and her Father and other brother Dominic are in West Berlin. Greta and Fritz don’t like the Communist government running the country but are still trying to stay under the radar because they are afraid of the Stasi, the secret police. When Greta sees her father telling her to dig from one of the West’s platform she doesn’t quiet understand what it means. She soon realizes that he is telling her to tunnel out of East Berlin, that it is more essential then ever before because her brother will soon be old enough to join the military. This book is a great Middle Grade book about the Berlin Wall, I don’t know very much about the Cold War, only what I have learned in my APUSH class. And this book was really interesting because it showed the different generations attitudes about what was happening in East Berlin, the adults were tired of fighting while the young adults and children couldn’t understand why they weren’t fighting. I would recommend this book to middle school history lovers.

"A Night Divided" is a compelling piece of historical fiction. The story centers around Gerta and her family who with the construction of the Berlin Wall, find themselves separated. Gerta, her mother, and brother Fritz are trapped on the east side of the wall while her father and middle brother who had gone west to look for work are unable to return to them. The Soviets, who control the eastern side of the wall, impose draconian laws to keep residents in East Germany under their control. The state police, the Stasi are brutal in their treatment of those they deem to be threats, and Gerta finds her own family in danger.

This is a compelling and well-written story that explores life in Germany before reunification. Gerta has a strong voice and readers will find a lot to relate to in terms of her anxieties, her hopes, and dreams. Recommended for grades 4-8.

Gerta is the main character. Setting is in Berlin during the crisis and the wall is built to divide the city. Father and younger brother go to West Berlin to seek work. The wall goes up overnight and they cannot come home. Gerta, brother Fritz and mother are stuck in EAST Berlin. Over the course of time, Gerta and Fritz decide to dig a tunnel to the West. They see their father on the West side doing a dance and the digging motion. The two siblings work on this as much as possible to avoid the attraction of the soldiers. Mother is away carrying for the Grandma. When she comes home, surprisingly she joins in along with others that were opposed to escaping. Great history lesson on that era. My husband was in the National Guard and the 32nd Division was activated for 10 months because of Wall going up. To a large extend we say "he was called up to active duty during the Berlin Crisis" and no one can remember that. Great to recall the true facts of this era. A bit of prayers and bible reference included, but not overly religious. Good for YA portion of a church library.

This is an interesting historical fiction story about a family divided by the Berlin Wall. Gerta is 12 and lives in East Berlin with her parents and two brothers . . . until the night her father and one of her brothers left and never came back because a fence went up during the night separating East and West Berlin. Her father and brother were stuck on the other side! Then, before very long, the fence became a wall to keep the Eastern Berliners under Russia rule from leaving. Gerta is bold and determined to somehow get the rest of her family reunited with her father and brother on the other side of the wall but time is running out because Fritz, her oldest brother, is about to be inducted into the military in just a few weeks!

This is a very good story of bravery, courage, staying true to one’s beliefs and adventure that moves quickly. I couldn’t help but pull for Gerta to succeed and liked the ups and downs with her friendship with Anna. It soon got to the point where she didn't know who she could trust.

Totally amazing book! Set in East Berlin when the Berlin wall was built overnight with no warning, it is the story of a family who was divided in two by the wall and their struggle to escape to freedom in the west as a family. The story really shows what life was like in East Berlin and is the story of the courage twelve year old Gerta who is determined to help her family to be reunited by digging a tunnel under the wall and the death zone adjacent to it. I listened to the audio version of this book which was excellent. The story was compelling and I did not want to stop listening until I found out what happened. This is a fantastic book and I highly recommend it.

In this middle school novel, a family divided by the Berlin Wall must struggle to unite again, as must all of Germany. Overnight, Gerta, her mother, and her brother are separated from their father and brother by an impenetrable wall of stone. As more and more news of failed escapes travels around, Gerta and her brother decide they must tunnel past the wall and escape to freedom. They find unexpected allies and lose friends, all building up to the shocking ending.

Overall, this was an amazing story as well as an extremely well-written book. It makes you wonder what lengths you would go to to reach your loved ones. This book is similar to the other books she has written in the theme of escaping from someone desiring to use you. It is different from her other two series in that it features the escaping as the main part of the book and is set in a far different time period. The historical accuracy coupled with the courage and determination of the characters makes this a page turner that will keep you reading all night! Readers of her other books will enjoy this book.

Wow! This book for young people brought to life the desperation and heartache that people felt when the wall went up between East and West Berlin so well! I remember notes that were smuggled out and read over german programs on the Christian radio station HCJB to let listeners know that we got them... I also remember the joy felt worldwide when the wall finally came down and families could finally be reunited...

This story is about Gerta Lowe and her family during the early years of the Berlin Wall. After her father and brother are separated from the rest of the family by the raising of the wall, Gerta works to reunite with them while escaping the confines of her life in East Germany. She not only has to avoid the police and navigate the streets while not breaking curfew, but also has the added obstacle of neighbors who will turn her in to better their own situations. The characters were compelling, and I wanted to keep reading to find out what happened.

As a middle school teacher, I try to occasionally pick out books for my classroom library. I picked this book up at a school sale, and found that I couldn't put it down once I started. I found Gerta to be an great choice to tell the story through, and think my students will really notice the growth she made over the course of the story. They can't help but learn what it must have truly been like to live through the sudden division of someone's home and country. I highly recommend this book to children, and adults who would like a quick, fascinating read.

This is a well written fiction that very well could have be real, albeit sensational. Thanks to Jennifer Nielsen for providing an interesting story about life behind the Iron Curtain. This book should motivate my sixth grade son to study the history behind the division of Germany following WW-II. It’s always good to personalize what life might have been like under such horrible circumstances. And, yes ... “Geschichte wiederholt sich. History repeats itself.”

I enjoyed this middle-grade thriller, based on the construction of the Berlin wall in 1961 and the years immediately following. Fast paced and filled with suspense, A NIGHT DIVIDED is also a realistic peak into the cold war and behind the iron curtain.

There is some violence, none of it graphic, but most of the conflict comes from the psychological warfare waged by the East German regime, backed by very real threats.

Highly recommended for middle-grade and up, especially for those who like historical fiction.

Good historic fiction. I've read a lot about WWII, but less about the period after and I liked Nielsen's other books a lot, so this was something I was excited to read. Germany history is super interesting. The plot is fairly simple, but there’s a steady stream of tension to keep things moving that I think is kind of Nielson's trademark. I think the brother was my favorite character . . .
Yeah, I don’t really have much to say about this one, but it was really good. :)