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A Night Divided
From NYT 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 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?
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?
8 pages, Audible Audio
First published August 25, 2015
2281 people are currently reading
32450 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer A. Nielsen
50 books9,414 followersJennifer lives at the base of a very tall mountain in Northern Utah with her husband, three children, and a naughty puppy. She loves the smell of rainy days, hot chocolate, and old books, preferably all at once. She is a former speech teacher, theater director, and enjoyed a brief but disastrous career as a door-to-door pollster. In her spare time, Jennifer tends to panic, wondering what she has forgotten to do that has allowed her any spare time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 5,208 reviews
November 29, 2023
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.
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.
February 18, 2016
This book was chosen for my neighborhood's book club pick, and honestly, I was a little wary about it, thinking that it might be a little childish, since it is shelved as Juvenile or Middle Grade Fiction. I have read many of these books (often with my children), and they often tend to be a "watered down" version of what you might have expected or some of them tend to be too silly for my liking. However, I ended up really liking this book. Historical Fiction is a favorite of mine, and although it took me a little while to get into the story I felt like the author did a great job of keeping me hooked. As the story and the suspense of what would end up happening to the family built, I did not want to put the book down until it was done.
This book is perfect for younger readers, in that it does not contain anything too violent or crude, and that it teaches about the history of the Berlin Wall. I also thought it was great for me as an adult. Definitely recommended to anyone who likes Historical Fiction, and I have already passed it over to my 13 year old son who needs to read some Historical Fiction for school. He has read several of Jennifer Nielsen's other books so I'm hopeful he'll enjoy this one as well. I may have to check into some of her other books now.
This book is perfect for younger readers, in that it does not contain anything too violent or crude, and that it teaches about the history of the Berlin Wall. I also thought it was great for me as an adult. Definitely recommended to anyone who likes Historical Fiction, and I have already passed it over to my 13 year old son who needs to read some Historical Fiction for school. He has read several of Jennifer Nielsen's other books so I'm hopeful he'll enjoy this one as well. I may have to check into some of her other books now.
April 29, 2017
*is trying futilely not to hyperventilate*
WHAT JUST HAPPENED?! I seriously think I'm going to need a new heart because mine about wore itself to death with all that suspense.
This book doesn't stop. Not for a second. From the very first page, I was sucked into the bleak, hard world of East Berlin, where even thinking is a crime. Still, even with all that intensity, Jennifer Nielsen somehow managed to shape her characters--all of them--into people who popped off the page.
All right. I feel the need for a list. *grins*
Lovely Things:
- The family dynamics. CAN I GET AN AMEN? How many YA books do you see that are focused on families? To say this is a forgotten area would be a gross understatement. I absolutely adored Gerta and Fritz and their family. Their love, loyalty, and devotion to each other is evident throughout the entire book. They're a real, honest family--not perfect but what family is?
- The writing. As usual, Jennifer blew my socks off with her writing. I'm still doing Camp NaNo sooooo...it was hard not to compare my writing to hers and cringe. XD She has such an engaging, natural writing style that I adore.
- ALL THE THEMES. Freedom. Courage. Sacrifice. Love. It's all in here.
- The setting. Okay, admittedly, this was NOT a good time period for Germany. But all the research that went into creating this heartbreakingly realistic picture of East Berlin was amazing. It makes me want to read more about the Berlin Wall!
- The action. MY GOODNESS. Just...how?? The action never stopped the entire time and now I'm just sitting here panting because wow. I feel like I just ran from the Stasi myself.
Not So Lovely Things:
- The ending. It seemed pretty rushed, but it didn't detract much at all from my enjoyment of the book.
- Erm...nothing else? The book is squeaky clean--with the violence at a minimum--although it's pretty dark for a lot of younger readers. I didn't personally mind; in fact, I rather thought the darkness was necessary to make the light shine brighter overall.
Even if you don't like historical fiction, GO READ THIS BOOK. It blew my mind. *goes off to recommend it to everyone and their pet lizard*
5 stars!
WHAT JUST HAPPENED?! I seriously think I'm going to need a new heart because mine about wore itself to death with all that suspense.
This book doesn't stop. Not for a second. From the very first page, I was sucked into the bleak, hard world of East Berlin, where even thinking is a crime. Still, even with all that intensity, Jennifer Nielsen somehow managed to shape her characters--all of them--into people who popped off the page.
All right. I feel the need for a list. *grins*
Lovely Things:
- The family dynamics. CAN I GET AN AMEN? How many YA books do you see that are focused on families? To say this is a forgotten area would be a gross understatement. I absolutely adored Gerta and Fritz and their family. Their love, loyalty, and devotion to each other is evident throughout the entire book. They're a real, honest family--not perfect but what family is?
- The writing. As usual, Jennifer blew my socks off with her writing. I'm still doing Camp NaNo sooooo...it was hard not to compare my writing to hers and cringe. XD She has such an engaging, natural writing style that I adore.
- ALL THE THEMES. Freedom. Courage. Sacrifice. Love. It's all in here.
- The setting. Okay, admittedly, this was NOT a good time period for Germany. But all the research that went into creating this heartbreakingly realistic picture of East Berlin was amazing. It makes me want to read more about the Berlin Wall!
- The action. MY GOODNESS. Just...how?? The action never stopped the entire time and now I'm just sitting here panting because wow. I feel like I just ran from the Stasi myself.
Not So Lovely Things:
- The ending. It seemed pretty rushed, but it didn't detract much at all from my enjoyment of the book.
- Erm...nothing else? The book is squeaky clean--with the violence at a minimum--although it's pretty dark for a lot of younger readers. I didn't personally mind; in fact, I rather thought the darkness was necessary to make the light shine brighter overall.
Even if you don't like historical fiction, GO READ THIS BOOK. It blew my mind. *goes off to recommend it to everyone and their pet lizard*
5 stars!
August 8, 2025
کتاب یک شب فاصله، یک رمان تاریخی برای نوجوانان است دربارهی وقایعی که پس از ساخت دیوار برلین در آلمان شرقی رخ میدهد. راوی داستان یک دختر نوجوان به نام گرتاست. دختر دوازده سالهای که در پی ساخت این دیوار، پدر و برادرش در آلمان غربی گرفتار میشوند ولی گرتا و مادر و برادر دیگرش در آلمان شرقی هستند. انها در پی راهی هستند که دوباره بهم برسند. رمان خیلی خوب وقایع مربوط به این اتفاق تاریخ را در فضایی ترسناک و هیجانانگیز ان دوران بیان میکند که به نظرم مناسب نوجوانان بود. شخصیتپردازی کتاب هم خوب بود چون توانسته بود شخصیت گرتا را به عنوان دختری باهوش، شجاع و واقعگرا به تصویر بکشد. کسیکه مصمم و آگاه است تا راهی به سوی آزادی پیدا کند. نویسنده مفهوم خانواده دوستی و مبارزه، امید داشتن در برابر استبداد، شجاعت واقعی، تاثیر فرزندان و قدرت اراده و انتخاب را با نگاهی هوشمندانه در این کتاب گنجانده بود.
April 12, 2021
Truth be told I started reading Jennifer A. Nielsen's Berlin Wall escape novel A Night Divided when I first put it on my to-read list in early 2016 (and in fact I read it in one day). However I never actually got around to declaring it as "read" and posting my review (and mostly because I was unsure about how I should proceed with reviewing and rating A Night Divided).
For yes, while I as someone who was born in West Germany in 1966 and thus grew up (until my family immigrated to Canada in 1976) in the shadow of the Berlin Wall and with the full knowledge that Germany was a divided country and people, I was happy to encounter a Middle Grade novel about the Berlin Wall and one which clearly demonstrated how said wall (and in fact the entire East/West German internal border) cruelly separated families, friends and certainly made East Germany into a huge prison camp in many ways (and was also quite pleasantly surprised that Jennifer A. Nielsen totally seems to have understood the horror of family separation that Gerta and her family experience when the father and brother Dominic are in the Western section of Berlin visiting, looking for work on the night when the Berlin Wall is being constructed and thus come morning they can of course not get back to their home in the Eastern section and the mother, Gerta and Fritz can equally no longer go and meet with the father and Dominic in West Berlin), there were (and are) still too many niggling little problems or at least potential issues that I encountered in A Night Divided for me to unilaterally praise and sing the novel's accolades (but yes, I was feeling a bit guilty about this and therefore I just kept procrastinating with regard to posting a review for A Night Divided, something that I am now going to remedy, even if my review might indeed be a trifle negative and critical).
Now one of my main issues (if not actually the main issue) with A Night Divided is that I (on both a personal and emotional level) just cannot really see the vast majority of Jennifer A. Nielsen's featured characters as all that authentically East German in their behaviour and with their actions (that they feel more like I am reading about individuals, about persons with distinctly North American attitudes and philosophies and simply covered with a thin veneer of German names). In other words that while I have found the family separation story and angle of A Night Divided emotionally heart-breaking and also authentic enough, the day-to-day lives of Gerta and her family (even their encounters with STASI officials etc.), they often do not really feel to and for me as though I am actually reading a true and historically culturally authentic account of East Germany and East German life during the Berlin Wall period. And yes, this is made even more painfully obvious with and by the fact that I do tend to find especially main character and narrator Gerta both rather majorly inauthentic as a twelve year old child and in my opinion also far too often acting like a political mouthpiece of Americanism (that instead of A Night Divided really and truly with reality and grace showing what East Germany was like during the Cold War, the novel often simply feels like it is basically just criticising and condemning the GDR and the Soviet Union and well, I would certainly want a bit more of a sense of balance and seeing both sides of the story so to speak).
Furthermore, it also seems from the acknowledgements listed at the back of A Night Divided that Jennifer E. Nielsen obviously did not engage in all that much primary research on East Germany for A Night Divided except for making use of information and details gleaned from a California-based museum (which I for one would actually consider rather second-hand information on East Germany anyhow). For sorry, but in my humble opinion, this type of one stop researching would of course not be in any manner the same as the author, as Jennifer E. Nielsen actually visiting Germany and German museums or even using museum websites etc. based in Germany itself. And quite frankly, the author should really have tried to visit many different sites with varying points of view about East Germany, East German life, culture and politics to get a more authentic and not so one-sided a portrait (as indeed, while A Night Divided rightfully condemns East German propaganda and how the authorities thwarted and destroyed freedom and human rights, I have actually also found there to be a layer of authorial American propaganda presented in A Night Divided with which I certainly have felt annoyingly uncomfortable and definitely like I am being a bit preached at). Combined with the fact that much of A Night Divided has also tended to drag on and on until there suddenly is a total reversal and a typical of adventure stories classic chase scene with stereotypical villains, a redeeming sacrifice, and yes, the final and obligatory happy ending for Gerta and her family (which of course I do appreciate, but probably would have liked much better if it had not been so on the surface and standardly adventure thriller like), I really have even with my appreciation that A Night Divided exists not really enjoyed the novel all that much on both a reading pleasure and an academic level (finding it entertaining and emotionally engaging enough on the surface but deep down much too one-sided, too artificial and not really all that descriptive as an authentic tale of East Germany). Two and a half stars, but yes, I am grudgingly going to up the ranking to three stars, as I do applaud Jennifer E. Nielsen's effort with A Night Divided even though the end product does at least for me still leave quite a bit to be desired.
For yes, while I as someone who was born in West Germany in 1966 and thus grew up (until my family immigrated to Canada in 1976) in the shadow of the Berlin Wall and with the full knowledge that Germany was a divided country and people, I was happy to encounter a Middle Grade novel about the Berlin Wall and one which clearly demonstrated how said wall (and in fact the entire East/West German internal border) cruelly separated families, friends and certainly made East Germany into a huge prison camp in many ways (and was also quite pleasantly surprised that Jennifer A. Nielsen totally seems to have understood the horror of family separation that Gerta and her family experience when the father and brother Dominic are in the Western section of Berlin visiting, looking for work on the night when the Berlin Wall is being constructed and thus come morning they can of course not get back to their home in the Eastern section and the mother, Gerta and Fritz can equally no longer go and meet with the father and Dominic in West Berlin), there were (and are) still too many niggling little problems or at least potential issues that I encountered in A Night Divided for me to unilaterally praise and sing the novel's accolades (but yes, I was feeling a bit guilty about this and therefore I just kept procrastinating with regard to posting a review for A Night Divided, something that I am now going to remedy, even if my review might indeed be a trifle negative and critical).
Now one of my main issues (if not actually the main issue) with A Night Divided is that I (on both a personal and emotional level) just cannot really see the vast majority of Jennifer A. Nielsen's featured characters as all that authentically East German in their behaviour and with their actions (that they feel more like I am reading about individuals, about persons with distinctly North American attitudes and philosophies and simply covered with a thin veneer of German names). In other words that while I have found the family separation story and angle of A Night Divided emotionally heart-breaking and also authentic enough, the day-to-day lives of Gerta and her family (even their encounters with STASI officials etc.), they often do not really feel to and for me as though I am actually reading a true and historically culturally authentic account of East Germany and East German life during the Berlin Wall period. And yes, this is made even more painfully obvious with and by the fact that I do tend to find especially main character and narrator Gerta both rather majorly inauthentic as a twelve year old child and in my opinion also far too often acting like a political mouthpiece of Americanism (that instead of A Night Divided really and truly with reality and grace showing what East Germany was like during the Cold War, the novel often simply feels like it is basically just criticising and condemning the GDR and the Soviet Union and well, I would certainly want a bit more of a sense of balance and seeing both sides of the story so to speak).
Furthermore, it also seems from the acknowledgements listed at the back of A Night Divided that Jennifer E. Nielsen obviously did not engage in all that much primary research on East Germany for A Night Divided except for making use of information and details gleaned from a California-based museum (which I for one would actually consider rather second-hand information on East Germany anyhow). For sorry, but in my humble opinion, this type of one stop researching would of course not be in any manner the same as the author, as Jennifer E. Nielsen actually visiting Germany and German museums or even using museum websites etc. based in Germany itself. And quite frankly, the author should really have tried to visit many different sites with varying points of view about East Germany, East German life, culture and politics to get a more authentic and not so one-sided a portrait (as indeed, while A Night Divided rightfully condemns East German propaganda and how the authorities thwarted and destroyed freedom and human rights, I have actually also found there to be a layer of authorial American propaganda presented in A Night Divided with which I certainly have felt annoyingly uncomfortable and definitely like I am being a bit preached at). Combined with the fact that much of A Night Divided has also tended to drag on and on until there suddenly is a total reversal and a typical of adventure stories classic chase scene with stereotypical villains, a redeeming sacrifice, and yes, the final and obligatory happy ending for Gerta and her family (which of course I do appreciate, but probably would have liked much better if it had not been so on the surface and standardly adventure thriller like), I really have even with my appreciation that A Night Divided exists not really enjoyed the novel all that much on both a reading pleasure and an academic level (finding it entertaining and emotionally engaging enough on the surface but deep down much too one-sided, too artificial and not really all that descriptive as an authentic tale of East Germany). Two and a half stars, but yes, I am grudgingly going to up the ranking to three stars, as I do applaud Jennifer E. Nielsen's effort with A Night Divided even though the end product does at least for me still leave quite a bit to be desired.
June 10, 2022
This is a great book to share with kids. The story focuses on a family separated by the Berlin Wall.
It raises a lot of good discussion questions. For instance, when, if ever, is it acceptable to lie or steal?
The book is well paced, and the last quarter of the book is very fast paced. Recommended for kids and adults who enjoy historical fiction.
It raises a lot of good discussion questions. For instance, when, if ever, is it acceptable to lie or steal?
The book is well paced, and the last quarter of the book is very fast paced. Recommended for kids and adults who enjoy historical fiction.
January 26, 2022
4.5 stars!
Characters: Gerta was a great character. She was determined and brave, but she also got discouraged at times like any normal person.
Language: Clean.
Moral: The main theme of this novel was freedom, and this theme was illustrated very well against the backdrop of East Berlin.
Plot: Plenty of exciting moments and drama kept me turning pages as Gerta and her family worked on escaping from East Berlin.
Romance: Clean. This novel didn't have any romance (beyond Gerta's brother having a failed romance).
Writing: Jennifer Nielsen has a clear, easy-to-read style, and I'm looking forward to reading more by her in the future.
Overall: A Night Divided was an entertaining read, and I'd recommend it for those who enjoy clean fiction, suspense, historical fiction, and middle-grade novels.
Characters: Gerta was a great character. She was determined and brave, but she also got discouraged at times like any normal person.
Language: Clean.
Moral: The main theme of this novel was freedom, and this theme was illustrated very well against the backdrop of East Berlin.
Plot: Plenty of exciting moments and drama kept me turning pages as Gerta and her family worked on escaping from East Berlin.
Romance: Clean. This novel didn't have any romance (beyond Gerta's brother having a failed romance).
Writing: Jennifer Nielsen has a clear, easy-to-read style, and I'm looking forward to reading more by her in the future.
Overall: A Night Divided was an entertaining read, and I'd recommend it for those who enjoy clean fiction, suspense, historical fiction, and middle-grade novels.
March 11, 2016
"There was no warning the night the wall went up.
I awoke to sirens screaming throughout my city of East Berlin. Instantly, I flew from my bed. Something must be terribly wrong. Why were there so many? "
"The fence was only the beginning. It had just divided my life in half. And nothing would ever be the same again. "
"I figured it out during reading time that afternoon, forty-five minutes in which I could not recall a single word I'd read. It came down to the mistake Papa had made in his performance. Where he should have changed from a shovel to a rake, he only kept digging. And that was the end of his dance.
He was digging.
Papa wanted me to dig.
But why? "
--
I didn't know this was Miss Nielsen's first attempt at historical fiction till after but you wouldn't know it from the way it is written. She shines here, writing how one family is affected after the Berlin Wall is put up, with half of their number trapped in the West.
This is less a period sort of piece than it is focusing on the closeness of Gerta's family and how she, her brother Fritz, and their mother deal with being stuck in an evironment that is very controlling and strict. Scary as well, anyone could be a spy for the government or be desperate enough to turn someone in to save their family,get special favors, anything.
I loved how Gerta didn't give up, even when she was scared and frustrated she didn't let herself be dragged down or paralyzed by it. She pushed on and did the best she could.
Fritz impressed me as well for the same reasons, and also how protective he was over his family.
Even when a certain something happened, he wasn't down for long.
One of my favorite moments before the family was separated was when
There many times I wanted to kick the Stasi and everyone connected to them... in once case I felt sort of sorry for him but had a hard time having sympathy for him.. considering his actions.
Also loved Gerta's friend Anna. Certain times you aren't sure about certain things she does, but at a certain point you can understand why.
There's tension in the story but for awhile its more about them digging the tunnel and doing the best they can not to get caught(not a spoiler, on the dust-jacket) and hiding from the officers when the need arises.
I was wringing my hands, silently praying they would get the tunnel done and get out to safety... when
The tension rackets up near the end of the book, and I had to stop myself from reading too fast so I wouldn't miss anything. The last couple did seem a bit rushed but the way it ended I didn't much too much.
I would recommend, all school libraries and libraries in general should have this... I will definitely be reading this to/with my niece when she is older. It would be a good way to start to dip into history for her.
I awoke to sirens screaming throughout my city of East Berlin. Instantly, I flew from my bed. Something must be terribly wrong. Why were there so many? "
"The fence was only the beginning. It had just divided my life in half. And nothing would ever be the same again. "
"I figured it out during reading time that afternoon, forty-five minutes in which I could not recall a single word I'd read. It came down to the mistake Papa had made in his performance. Where he should have changed from a shovel to a rake, he only kept digging. And that was the end of his dance.
He was digging.
Papa wanted me to dig.
But why? "
--
I didn't know this was Miss Nielsen's first attempt at historical fiction till after but you wouldn't know it from the way it is written. She shines here, writing how one family is affected after the Berlin Wall is put up, with half of their number trapped in the West.
This is less a period sort of piece than it is focusing on the closeness of Gerta's family and how she, her brother Fritz, and their mother deal with being stuck in an evironment that is very controlling and strict. Scary as well, anyone could be a spy for the government or be desperate enough to turn someone in to save their family,get special favors, anything.
I loved how Gerta didn't give up, even when she was scared and frustrated she didn't let herself be dragged down or paralyzed by it. She pushed on and did the best she could.
Fritz impressed me as well for the same reasons, and also how protective he was over his family.
Even when a certain something happened, he wasn't down for long.
One of my favorite moments before the family was separated was when
There many times I wanted to kick the Stasi and everyone connected to them... in once case I felt sort of sorry for him but had a hard time having sympathy for him.. considering his actions.
Also loved Gerta's friend Anna. Certain times you aren't sure about certain things she does, but at a certain point you can understand why.
There's tension in the story but for awhile its more about them digging the tunnel and doing the best they can not to get caught(not a spoiler, on the dust-jacket) and hiding from the officers when the need arises.
I was wringing my hands, silently praying they would get the tunnel done and get out to safety... when
The tension rackets up near the end of the book, and I had to stop myself from reading too fast so I wouldn't miss anything. The last couple did seem a bit rushed but the way it ended I didn't much too much.
I would recommend, all school libraries and libraries in general should have this... I will definitely be reading this to/with my niece when she is older. It would be a good way to start to dip into history for her.
December 5, 2020
داستان در مورد یه خانواده ست که زمانی که دیوار برلین، آلمان رو به دو بخش شرقی و غربی تقسیم میکنه، زندگیشون به طور قابل توجهی دستخوش تغییر میشه.
از نظر تاریخی کتاب برام جذاب بود چون تا الان چندان در مورد وضعیت جامعهی آلمان شرقی چیزی نمیدونستم. با این حال، نسبت به کتابهای دیگهای که داستانی - تاریخی هستن، همه چیز در سطح باقی موند و یک شب فاصله رو شاید بشه یه داستان الهامبخش نوجوونانه دونست و نه بیشتر.
نوع شخصیتپردازی و عمیق شدن توی پرداختن به اعضای خانوادهی گرتا یا حتی خود گرتا، گرههای داستانی، نوع روایت و پایانبندی، همه و همه معمولی و در سطح بود.
امتیازم به کتاب ۳.۵ ه که به خاطر مسائل تاریخی و نسبتا جذاب پرداختن بهش، به بالا گرد کردم.
--------------------
یادگاری کتاب:
چشم نگاه میکند اما این ذهن است که میبیند.
...
ما نمیدونستیم موفق میشیم یا نه، فقط میدونستیم باید امتحانش کنیم.
...
ملتی که به مردمش اجازه نمیدهد خودشان درست و غلط را قضاوت کنند، ملتی است که از مردمش میهراسد.
جان.اف کندی
...
فکر کردن یا حرف زدن جرم نیست، اینکه بخوای خودت باشی جرم نیست.
...
ستمگر هیچوقت آزادی را داوطلبانه به تو اهدا نمیکند. آزادی را باید با زور از او گرفت. دکتر مارتین لوتر کینگ
از نظر تاریخی کتاب برام جذاب بود چون تا الان چندان در مورد وضعیت جامعهی آلمان شرقی چیزی نمیدونستم. با این حال، نسبت به کتابهای دیگهای که داستانی - تاریخی هستن، همه چیز در سطح باقی موند و یک شب فاصله رو شاید بشه یه داستان الهامبخش نوجوونانه دونست و نه بیشتر.
نوع شخصیتپردازی و عمیق شدن توی پرداختن به اعضای خانوادهی گرتا یا حتی خود گرتا، گرههای داستانی، نوع روایت و پایانبندی، همه و همه معمولی و در سطح بود.
امتیازم به کتاب ۳.۵ ه که به خاطر مسائل تاریخی و نسبتا جذاب پرداختن بهش، به بالا گرد کردم.
--------------------
یادگاری کتاب:
چشم نگاه میکند اما این ذهن است که میبیند.
...
ما نمیدونستیم موفق میشیم یا نه، فقط میدونستیم باید امتحانش کنیم.
...
ملتی که به مردمش اجازه نمیدهد خودشان درست و غلط را قضاوت کنند، ملتی است که از مردمش میهراسد.
جان.اف کندی
...
فکر کردن یا حرف زدن جرم نیست، اینکه بخوای خودت باشی جرم نیست.
...
ستمگر هیچوقت آزادی را داوطلبانه به تو اهدا نمیکند. آزادی را باید با زور از او گرفت. دکتر مارتین لوتر کینگ
February 27, 2018
“Individuality was a weakness, a sickness of the west. So we all walked in step, eyes ahead, and with conversations at a minimum. We”
― Jennifer A. Nielsen, A Night Divided
I am so glad to see a middle grade book written about this topic and timeframe. It affords a real sense of what it was like for a German family in Berlin residing on the “wrong” side of the wall albeit its' fictional characters. It seems an underdiscussed thematic that this book is shedding some awareness on. Ask children today….they may have heard about the Berlin Wall, but have not experienced it through a living book. Unlike the abundance of choices about the American Revolution and the Civil War at hand.
“Fear … was the most powerful weapon possessed by the Stasi. — David Cook, British author”
― Jennifer A. Nielsen, A Night Divided
Gerta, her mother and brother wake up one morning with a wall outside of their apartment. Gerta’s older brother and father have just left Berlin two days prior for some business and won’t have a way to get back to the family that happens to be on the East side of the wall now! Shocked and desperate they try to recall the last times they had together as a family, and try to go on their way with life.
Oppressed by laws, food and material rations and the Stasi's guarding eyes, it feels choking to Gerta and her brother over time. They have tried so hard to stay good, do right and be grateful. But what could they do? Their “thoughts” it seems are the only thing that cannot be touched and taken away from them, like everything else has. Their dream of the West with all its’ splendor of food, jobs and colorful clothing becomes the strong thread to hold onto. As does their desire to see their father and brother again some day.
"I didn't want to be like them. And at the same time, I was beginning to forget how to be different, how to be my own self. It was the feeling of being swallowed up, and I hated it.”
― Jennifer A. Nielsen, A Night Divided
Friends turn on friends. Neighbors spy on neighbors. The bribes and stakes are high. Some pay a deadly price being seen in the wrong place at the wrong time, or having been overheard speaking their mind to the wrong person.
“Courage isn't knowing you can do something; it's only being willing to try . . .”
― Jennifer A. Nielsen, A Night Divided
Gerta’s family has a record with the Stasi since her father has always been a freedom activist. This is causing more check-ups on them and a bugged house as general tension seems to be rising in Berlin. But Gerta is a courageous girl. Without her mothers’ knowledge and against her brothers resistance, she is devising an escape plan. But it requires a lot of work, a lot of deceiving and several strives with death as she finds herself questioned by Stasi at gunpoint.
“If I don't stand for freedom, then I must sit in chains.”
― Jennifer A. Nielsen, A Night Divided
This was a great book. I have not given away any spoilers nor do you know if they make it or what plan she devised. But I can tell you, that there are some intense moments towards the end that made my pulse race and my heart ache. It is written in middle grade fashion and I admit, I am a whimp…but it was really good! There are so many details that I just could not put into this review that were essential to its' ambiance and time that made the novel feel very real. So, if you ever wondered what it was like, or like to shed a little light on this topic, give it a try. It’s like a fresh breeze of a read. Just simply different and well written. Enjoy!
― Jennifer A. Nielsen, A Night Divided
I am so glad to see a middle grade book written about this topic and timeframe. It affords a real sense of what it was like for a German family in Berlin residing on the “wrong” side of the wall albeit its' fictional characters. It seems an underdiscussed thematic that this book is shedding some awareness on. Ask children today….they may have heard about the Berlin Wall, but have not experienced it through a living book. Unlike the abundance of choices about the American Revolution and the Civil War at hand.
“Fear … was the most powerful weapon possessed by the Stasi. — David Cook, British author”
― Jennifer A. Nielsen, A Night Divided
Gerta, her mother and brother wake up one morning with a wall outside of their apartment. Gerta’s older brother and father have just left Berlin two days prior for some business and won’t have a way to get back to the family that happens to be on the East side of the wall now! Shocked and desperate they try to recall the last times they had together as a family, and try to go on their way with life.
Oppressed by laws, food and material rations and the Stasi's guarding eyes, it feels choking to Gerta and her brother over time. They have tried so hard to stay good, do right and be grateful. But what could they do? Their “thoughts” it seems are the only thing that cannot be touched and taken away from them, like everything else has. Their dream of the West with all its’ splendor of food, jobs and colorful clothing becomes the strong thread to hold onto. As does their desire to see their father and brother again some day.
"I didn't want to be like them. And at the same time, I was beginning to forget how to be different, how to be my own self. It was the feeling of being swallowed up, and I hated it.”
― Jennifer A. Nielsen, A Night Divided
Friends turn on friends. Neighbors spy on neighbors. The bribes and stakes are high. Some pay a deadly price being seen in the wrong place at the wrong time, or having been overheard speaking their mind to the wrong person.
“Courage isn't knowing you can do something; it's only being willing to try . . .”
― Jennifer A. Nielsen, A Night Divided
Gerta’s family has a record with the Stasi since her father has always been a freedom activist. This is causing more check-ups on them and a bugged house as general tension seems to be rising in Berlin. But Gerta is a courageous girl. Without her mothers’ knowledge and against her brothers resistance, she is devising an escape plan. But it requires a lot of work, a lot of deceiving and several strives with death as she finds herself questioned by Stasi at gunpoint.
“If I don't stand for freedom, then I must sit in chains.”
― Jennifer A. Nielsen, A Night Divided
This was a great book. I have not given away any spoilers nor do you know if they make it or what plan she devised. But I can tell you, that there are some intense moments towards the end that made my pulse race and my heart ache. It is written in middle grade fashion and I admit, I am a whimp…but it was really good! There are so many details that I just could not put into this review that were essential to its' ambiance and time that made the novel feel very real. So, if you ever wondered what it was like, or like to shed a little light on this topic, give it a try. It’s like a fresh breeze of a read. Just simply different and well written. Enjoy!
October 20, 2024
اگر نتوانم اندیشه ام را به زبان آورم پس من بودن من هم جرم است.
خیلی کتاب خوبی بود . قلبم از این همه شجاعت و عشق و فداکاری فشرده شد.
کتاب های زیادی در مورد جنگ جهانی خوندم اما همه شون روایت حین جنگ بود .
در کتاب یک شب فاصله جنگ تموم شه و آلمان به دو قسمت شرقی و غربی تقسیم شده
قسمت شرقی سهم روس ها شده . مردم در قسمت شرقی با فقر و گرسنگی و کمونیست دست وپنجه نرم می کنن. خیلی ها به غرب فرار کردن
بحث بر سر رفتن یا نرفتن به غرب توی خانواده گرتای ۸ ساله بین پدر و مادرش بالا گرفته
مادرش به خاطر مادربزرگ راضی به ترک شرق نیست
اما پدرش به دلیل فعالیت های سیاسی که داشته تصمیم درست رو رفتن می دونه . و گرتا هم دلش می خواد بره.
نتیجه این میشه که پدر و یکی از برادرهای گرتا برای بررسی بیشتر به غرب میرن و گرتا همراه مادر و یکی دیگه از برادرهاش می مونن.
پدر قول میده زود برگرده اما ۲ روز بعد دیوار برلین تمام آرزوهای گرتا رو از بین میبره.
خانواده ش دوتکه میشن و راه رفتن بسته میشه و ...
این داستان گرتا و خانواده شه و بهایی که برای آزادی پرداخت می کنن.
آزادی... کلمه ای که تا وقتی دربند نباشی معنی شو نمی فهمی...
خیلی جاها با گرتا و حرف هاش بغض کردم.
خیلی جاها حسرت شجاعتش روخوردم .
خیلی جاها تحسینش کردم .
ترجمه: خوب
امتیازم : ۴/۷
پ.ن: صوتی ش رو با صدای دلنشین مریم پاکذات گوش دادم و حتما پیشنهاد می کنم .
۷۳
خیلی کتاب خوبی بود . قلبم از این همه شجاعت و عشق و فداکاری فشرده شد.
کتاب های زیادی در مورد جنگ جهانی خوندم اما همه شون روایت حین جنگ بود .
در کتاب یک شب فاصله جنگ تموم شه و آلمان به دو قسمت شرقی و غربی تقسیم شده
قسمت شرقی سهم روس ها شده . مردم در قسمت شرقی با فقر و گرسنگی و کمونیست دست وپنجه نرم می کنن. خیلی ها به غرب فرار کردن
بحث بر سر رفتن یا نرفتن به غرب توی خانواده گرتای ۸ ساله بین پدر و مادرش بالا گرفته
مادرش به خاطر مادربزرگ راضی به ترک شرق نیست
اما پدرش به دلیل فعالیت های سیاسی که داشته تصمیم درست رو رفتن می دونه . و گرتا هم دلش می خواد بره.
نتیجه این میشه که پدر و یکی از برادرهای گرتا برای بررسی بیشتر به غرب میرن و گرتا همراه مادر و یکی دیگه از برادرهاش می مونن.
پدر قول میده زود برگرده اما ۲ روز بعد دیوار برلین تمام آرزوهای گرتا رو از بین میبره.
خانواده ش دوتکه میشن و راه رفتن بسته میشه و ...
این داستان گرتا و خانواده شه و بهایی که برای آزادی پرداخت می کنن.
آزادی... کلمه ای که تا وقتی دربند نباشی معنی شو نمی فهمی...
خیلی جاها با گرتا و حرف هاش بغض کردم.
خیلی جاها حسرت شجاعتش روخوردم .
خیلی جاها تحسینش کردم .
ترجمه: خوب
امتیازم : ۴/۷
پ.ن: صوتی ش رو با صدای دلنشین مریم پاکذات گوش دادم و حتما پیشنهاد می کنم .
۷۳
November 12, 2021
۴.۵
قلب من برات رفت که😭
ولی خیلی بهتر میشد اگه اسم کتاب «یک دیوار فاصله» بود..
قلب من برات رفت که😭
ولی خیلی بهتر میشد اگه اسم کتاب «یک دیوار فاصله» بود..
February 8, 2022
۳۰ درصد آخرش از استرس حتی نمیتونستم نفس بکشم:)
June 2, 2020
This was a very quick read- but a wonderful middle school recommendation. This follows a young girl on the wrong side of the Berlin Wall. It’s a courageous story that will remind all to be thankful for our freedom.
October 29, 2024
A country disjointed; a city divided; a friendship fractured; a family separated.
✏️ Review ✏️
When governments restrict and oppress, the people yearn to taste freedom. And A Night Divided descriptively delivers a story of one such time where people longed to be freed from the grip of an oppressive government: 1960s East Berlin.
The plot of this story features a thoughtful balance between the simple and mundane aspects of every day life and the suspenseful and dangerous acts of going against a powerful government. While there were a few times I would've liked more construction to the plot, it nonetheless kept my attention through its entirety. Quite a number of surprises along the way!
Exhibiting a wide array of qualities, the characters impart helpful dimension to this story: fear, courage, depression, hope, hate, perseverance, passivity, determination. These diverse qualities make for a more dynamic story, while also making the characters more realistic. Could the characters' development been deeper? Yes, it could. There were a few times where the story felt a bit superficial for lack of character development; but no major drawbacks are presented.
Considering that A Night Divided is Jennifer A. Nielsen's first work of historical fiction, I think the overall quality of this book is quite impressive. Besides providing a great story (who doesn't love a good story!? 😁), this book is also very educational. This is my historical fiction read about life on the Communist side of the Berlin Wall, and reading A Night Divided has definitely deepened my understanding and broadened my knowledge about this time in history. I learned so many different things that I'm surprised I didn't know before, especially about how life was like in East Berlin.
So with that said, I recommend this book for your enjoyment (maybe you'll learn something new, too!).
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
📊 A Quick Overview 📊
👍🏼 What I Liked:
•The varied character qualities — adds flavor and dimension to the story.
•The plot. A few parts could be better but overall it's pretty good.
•The educational value. This book contains a representative story of what life was like in 1960s East Berlin. Without being intrusive to the flow of the story, so many historical aspects can be learned all while enjoying a good book.
👎🏼 What I Did Not Like:
•The lack of character development. Doesn't present any major drawbacks, but it may make the story feel a bit superficial at times.
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
📖 BOOK BREAKDOWN 📖 (Overall: 3/5)
~Fundamentals: (1=worst; 5=best)
— 📈 Plot: 3.5/5
— 📝 Writing: 3/5
— 👥 Characters: 3/5
~Content: (0=none; 1=least; 5=most)
— 🤬 Language: 0/5
— ⚔️ Violence: 0/5
— ⚠️ Sexual: 0/5
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
📣 Random Comments 📣
•(None)
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
💬 Favorite Quotes 💬
•Mama once said the most wonderful thing about being young is our ability to make things normal. That whatever life does to us, no matter how strange, it isn't long before insanity seems ordinary, as if upside down is the way things should be. (p. 17)
•"You've seen the sun.... Now that you have, could you ever be content with just the stars for light? Would that be enough for you?" (p. 83)
✏️ Review ✏️
When governments restrict and oppress, the people yearn to taste freedom. And A Night Divided descriptively delivers a story of one such time where people longed to be freed from the grip of an oppressive government: 1960s East Berlin.
"It was Sunday, August 13, 1961, a day I would remember for the rest of my life. When a prison had been built around us as we slept."
The plot of this story features a thoughtful balance between the simple and mundane aspects of every day life and the suspenseful and dangerous acts of going against a powerful government. While there were a few times I would've liked more construction to the plot, it nonetheless kept my attention through its entirety. Quite a number of surprises along the way!
"Barbed Wire Sunday. The day that divided a city, and eventually a country. Worst of all the day that divided my family.
The sun warmed my back as it slowly rose in the east, and I shivered against it. This early morning light had not ended the long, dark night. No.
For us, the dark had only begun."
Exhibiting a wide array of qualities, the characters impart helpful dimension to this story: fear, courage, depression, hope, hate, perseverance, passivity, determination. These diverse qualities make for a more dynamic story, while also making the characters more realistic. Could the characters' development been deeper? Yes, it could. There were a few times where the story felt a bit superficial for lack of character development; but no major drawbacks are presented.
"'We have a good life here [in East Berlin],' Anna said. 'Why [i]sn't it enough...?'
I explained it to her the way Fritz explained it to me long ago. 'You've seen the sun, Anna. Now that you have, could you ever be content with just stars for light? Would that be enough for you?'"
Considering that A Night Divided is Jennifer A. Nielsen's first work of historical fiction, I think the overall quality of this book is quite impressive. Besides providing a great story (who doesn't love a good story!? 😁), this book is also very educational. This is my historical fiction read about life on the Communist side of the Berlin Wall, and reading A Night Divided has definitely deepened my understanding and broadened my knowledge about this time in history. I learned so many different things that I'm surprised I didn't know before, especially about how life was like in East Berlin.
So with that said, I recommend this book for your enjoyment (maybe you'll learn something new, too!).
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
📊 A Quick Overview 📊
👍🏼 What I Liked:
•The varied character qualities — adds flavor and dimension to the story.
•The plot. A few parts could be better but overall it's pretty good.
•The educational value. This book contains a representative story of what life was like in 1960s East Berlin. Without being intrusive to the flow of the story, so many historical aspects can be learned all while enjoying a good book.
👎🏼 What I Did Not Like:
•The lack of character development. Doesn't present any major drawbacks, but it may make the story feel a bit superficial at times.
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
📖 BOOK BREAKDOWN 📖 (Overall: 3/5)
~Fundamentals: (1=worst; 5=best)
— 📈 Plot: 3.5/5
— 📝 Writing: 3/5
— 👥 Characters: 3/5
~Content: (0=none; 1=least; 5=most)
— 🤬 Language: 0/5
— ⚔️ Violence: 0/5
— ⚠️ Sexual: 0/5
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
📣 Random Comments 📣
•(None)
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
💬 Favorite Quotes 💬
•Mama once said the most wonderful thing about being young is our ability to make things normal. That whatever life does to us, no matter how strange, it isn't long before insanity seems ordinary, as if upside down is the way things should be. (p. 17)
•"You've seen the sun.... Now that you have, could you ever be content with just the stars for light? Would that be enough for you?" (p. 83)
May 9, 2022
I LOVED this book! It was clean, educational, and made me laugh and cry. Especially the ending (which I won't give away, but believe me it was fantastic <3T_T) Definitely recommend for readers of all ages!
December 1, 2017
wow wow wow
August 7, 2020
Another book that is hard to rate:
I was excited to hear that this book is about the EAST/WEST conflict in Berlin. I grew up close to the wall and this was basically my childhood. I will recommend this book to all middle schoolers who want to learn a bit more. I think a young American reader will find this book neat and informative (although bit predictable).
Now, As a German reader it felt a bit frustrating. I had to remind myself that she's talking about my country (DDR/GDR) because it just didn't feel like it. She threw in some terms that reminded me that the story plays near the Wall but that was not how I perceived it. In the back of the book she explained that her research came from visiting a museum in CA, and Youtube interviews etc. I thought it was odd that she didn't have a German reader proofread it first. There were some really obvious errors that made my husband laugh out loud when I read him the quotes. (to be fair she included in the book that all factual errors are hers)
1. Gerta grows corn in the middle of Berlin. (that is a major plot point) ANYONE knows that Germans don't eat corn. We only grow "feed corn" for the pigs to eat. Only in the 2000s did we start to see corn on the cob for sale (frozen bags through Schwan's delivery). I have seen corn in cans but it's really not common. The other thing she grows is squash. I never heard of squash until I moved to the states virtually unknown at that time.
2. Gerta is hot and tired and wants to fill up her water bottle at a restaurant. Any tourist knows you can't do that. You sit a table and order a 4 oz glass of luke warm water and pay 4Euros for it. Nobody will ever give you tab water, especially in a container you brought. It's just so unheard of. It's like going to McDonalds in the middle of "Twilight" and ordering hot peppermint tea. You read that phrase and you spend 2 minutes recovering from the oddity.
3. . Names: she also doesn't use appropriate German names for the time and the audioreader mispronounced their last name so badly that the strong "LION -Loewe" was read as "LOW" which is obviously different from a lion.
4. Kids don't have jobs. Kids still can't have jobs during school years. Why would an author assume that all kids follow American standards? A simple google search would have been sufficient. In East Germany all necessities were heavily subsidized. Apartments, food, education. Lack of money was not the issue. It was access to anything and freedom. (but the plot point came back to being poor and needing an extra job to scrape by (American conflict point)
5. Conflict: It was hard to gather from the book just how hard the conflict was. To stay is bad, to leave is bad. Very few escaped and all paid a price. I don't think a 12-year old was able to really understand this. This is a classic example of hindsight writing. Gerta's experience is gathered from her hindsight (adult version from what happened to her) because no child can really understand all the political implications which even the adult had a hard time to grasp. Why aren't all 12-year old in the State outraged about political issues and writing heroic books about it and build tunnels to escape? Because they live in happy ignorant bliss created by their parents. No German parent would ever have included their children in any of their dissatisfaction. It's culturally not common.
The movie "JOJO Rabbit" depicts this muted relationship much better. JoJo's mom never discusses her political view to her kid because it's plain dangerous. Kids talk to teachers to neighbors and anyone could have been a spy. I think this could have been researched and written better.
A commenter added that gardening was encouraged. "schrebergarten" is still a common practice and it would not have been in the middle of Berlin.
the list goes on and on. ..Lots of little things that made the place/ time/ story feel foreign to me.
Again, historically it is a good read for kids to get them started. I have to say though that this book sparked some interest to write down more about my experience.
I was excited to hear that this book is about the EAST/WEST conflict in Berlin. I grew up close to the wall and this was basically my childhood. I will recommend this book to all middle schoolers who want to learn a bit more. I think a young American reader will find this book neat and informative (although bit predictable).
Now, As a German reader it felt a bit frustrating. I had to remind myself that she's talking about my country (DDR/GDR) because it just didn't feel like it. She threw in some terms that reminded me that the story plays near the Wall but that was not how I perceived it. In the back of the book she explained that her research came from visiting a museum in CA, and Youtube interviews etc. I thought it was odd that she didn't have a German reader proofread it first. There were some really obvious errors that made my husband laugh out loud when I read him the quotes. (to be fair she included in the book that all factual errors are hers)
1. Gerta grows corn in the middle of Berlin. (that is a major plot point) ANYONE knows that Germans don't eat corn. We only grow "feed corn" for the pigs to eat. Only in the 2000s did we start to see corn on the cob for sale (frozen bags through Schwan's delivery). I have seen corn in cans but it's really not common. The other thing she grows is squash. I never heard of squash until I moved to the states virtually unknown at that time.
2. Gerta is hot and tired and wants to fill up her water bottle at a restaurant. Any tourist knows you can't do that. You sit a table and order a 4 oz glass of luke warm water and pay 4Euros for it. Nobody will ever give you tab water, especially in a container you brought. It's just so unheard of. It's like going to McDonalds in the middle of "Twilight" and ordering hot peppermint tea. You read that phrase and you spend 2 minutes recovering from the oddity.
3. . Names: she also doesn't use appropriate German names for the time and the audioreader mispronounced their last name so badly that the strong "LION -Loewe" was read as "LOW" which is obviously different from a lion.
4. Kids don't have jobs. Kids still can't have jobs during school years. Why would an author assume that all kids follow American standards? A simple google search would have been sufficient. In East Germany all necessities were heavily subsidized. Apartments, food, education. Lack of money was not the issue. It was access to anything and freedom. (but the plot point came back to being poor and needing an extra job to scrape by (American conflict point)
5. Conflict: It was hard to gather from the book just how hard the conflict was. To stay is bad, to leave is bad. Very few escaped and all paid a price. I don't think a 12-year old was able to really understand this. This is a classic example of hindsight writing. Gerta's experience is gathered from her hindsight (adult version from what happened to her) because no child can really understand all the political implications which even the adult had a hard time to grasp. Why aren't all 12-year old in the State outraged about political issues and writing heroic books about it and build tunnels to escape? Because they live in happy ignorant bliss created by their parents. No German parent would ever have included their children in any of their dissatisfaction. It's culturally not common.
The movie "JOJO Rabbit" depicts this muted relationship much better. JoJo's mom never discusses her political view to her kid because it's plain dangerous. Kids talk to teachers to neighbors and anyone could have been a spy. I think this could have been researched and written better.
A commenter added that gardening was encouraged. "schrebergarten" is still a common practice and it would not have been in the middle of Berlin.
the list goes on and on. ..Lots of little things that made the place/ time/ story feel foreign to me.
Again, historically it is a good read for kids to get them started. I have to say though that this book sparked some interest to write down more about my experience.
August 2, 2018
After reading the False Prince series by this author I wanted to try out another one of her books, but I didn't know where to start. Finally a friend's review convinced me to read it. (I'm looking at you, Mary Liz ;) ).
I was not disappointed by this book. The vivid descriptions and amazing pictures of the division felt kept me hooked. I could picture the wall so well in my head.
Gerta's character was very vivid, along with so many of the supporting characters. I loved her brother, but he felt a little blank to me.
This book showed so much how much work freedom takes sometimes, and that it's not free.
Also can I hear a halleluiah, there was no romance in this book! It's all about family!!
And that ending. Wow. O.o
There were only two things I disliked about the book. 1. Gerta's lying. I found it very sad how much she lied. 2. The attitude towards God. While Gerta seems to believe He's real, she doesn't want to bother praying, or saying she's sorry. She even go's so far as to make her mom leave her Bible behind. While both of things are what I would expect from a secular book, they did lessen my enjoyment of the book.
Overall, a good book on the Berlin Wall being put up.
Favorite quote: "My only choice was between Communist gray, and Communists grayer."
I was not disappointed by this book. The vivid descriptions and amazing pictures of the division felt kept me hooked. I could picture the wall so well in my head.
Gerta's character was very vivid, along with so many of the supporting characters. I loved her brother, but he felt a little blank to me.
This book showed so much how much work freedom takes sometimes, and that it's not free.
Also can I hear a halleluiah, there was no romance in this book! It's all about family!!
And that ending. Wow. O.o
There were only two things I disliked about the book. 1. Gerta's lying. I found it very sad how much she lied. 2. The attitude towards God. While Gerta seems to believe He's real, she doesn't want to bother praying, or saying she's sorry. She even go's so far as to make her mom leave her Bible behind. While both of things are what I would expect from a secular book, they did lessen my enjoyment of the book.
Overall, a good book on the Berlin Wall being put up.
Favorite quote: "My only choice was between Communist gray, and Communists grayer."
May 29, 2025
4.5 Stars ✨
Middle Grade Historical Fiction
“Courage isn't knowing you can do something; it's only being willing to try . . .”
“ If I don't stand for freedom, then I must sit in chains.”
Jennifer Nielsen has once again captured my full attention with her beautiful writing in this historical tale. You know a book is good when it’s written for middle grade children and as an adult, you binge it. A Night Divided had me on the edge of my seat! It takes place during the Cold War, after the Berlin Wall is erected. Dividing East Berlin (The Soviets) and West Berlin (a democracy). The main character, 12 year old Gerta, was brave and so courageous. It was an emotional story about courage, resistance, freedom and oppression. I can’t wait to share it with my kids, it will definitely open doors to lots of discussions. Middle school kids need more books like these! If you haven’t read it, I highly recommend .
Middle Grade Historical Fiction
“Courage isn't knowing you can do something; it's only being willing to try . . .”
“ If I don't stand for freedom, then I must sit in chains.”
Jennifer Nielsen has once again captured my full attention with her beautiful writing in this historical tale. You know a book is good when it’s written for middle grade children and as an adult, you binge it. A Night Divided had me on the edge of my seat! It takes place during the Cold War, after the Berlin Wall is erected. Dividing East Berlin (The Soviets) and West Berlin (a democracy). The main character, 12 year old Gerta, was brave and so courageous. It was an emotional story about courage, resistance, freedom and oppression. I can’t wait to share it with my kids, it will definitely open doors to lots of discussions. Middle school kids need more books like these! If you haven’t read it, I highly recommend .
March 30, 2017
A Night Divided by Jennifer A. Nielsen is a must read for fans of the author's previous works, middle grade historical fiction, and an interest in the Berlin Wall. Although this story is set in the 1960s, it still manages to come across as a very timely piece historical fiction novel featuring a twelve year old girl trying to escape to the West after her family has been divided by the Berlin Wall. Then again, the story really focuses on what it means to be a family and how to survive dark times. I really liked Gerta and her brother, Fitz, both are very brave and protective of their family. The only thing that really bothered me was with the audiobook production - the Stasi agents get thick German accents whereas Gerta and her family get standard American accents. Either way, I highly recommend this tense middle grade historical fiction novel featuring a family separated by the Berlin Wall in the 1960s. Nielsen is as fantastic at writing historical fiction as she is enthralling epic fantasy and I can't wait to read The Mark of the Thief and The Scourge.
Read
February 7, 2017I wanted to reach through the pages and save this little girl and her family. What an adept imagining. I especially like how there were heroes and villains on both sides. The tension was so palpable, my heart raced along with theirs.
April 3, 2019
داستان بی نظیری بود، درباره دختری که برای رسیدن به پدر و برادرش و آزادی ای که اون طرف دیوار برلین منتظرشونن، از زیر دیوار تونل می کنه!
داستان دوستی و محبت، استقامت، آزادی خواهی، زیر بار حرف زور نرفتن و خیلی چیزای دیگه بود ...
داستان دوستی و محبت، استقامت، آزادی خواهی، زیر بار حرف زور نرفتن و خیلی چیزای دیگه بود ...
May 29, 2025
کتاب «یک شب فاصله» یک رمان تاریخی هیجانانگیزه که برای مخاطب نوجوان نوشته شده. کتاب داستان دختری به نام گرتا رو روایت میکنه که در برلین شرقی زندگی میکنه و پس از ساخت دیوار پدر و برادرش آنسوی دیوار باقی میمانند و خونواده دوتکه میشه. کتاب به خوبی فضای خفقانآور و کنترل شده برلین شرقی تحت حاکمیت کمونیستها رو نشون میده. این کتاب ممکنه برای خوانندگان بزرگسال کمی ساده باشه. اون پیچیدگیهای سیاسی و تاریخی رو سادهتر نشون میده و بیشتر کتاب هیجانانگیزیه.
September 25, 2021
توی شهری که حتی زندگی کردن هم جرمه، سکوت مساویه با مرده بودن!
و حتی مرگ در حین تلاش برای آزادی، سرنوشتی بهتر از پذیرش زندانه...
این کتاب، طعمی داره مثل طعم آزادی... جنگیدنی برای رهایی... و اینکه هیچ چیز و هیچ کسی، نمیتونه برای ابد حق مسلم انسان هارو که آزادی و فکر کردنه بگیره...
این کتاب هم رفت کنار اون هایی که تا ابد توی ذهن و روح و قلبم حک میشه
و حتی مرگ در حین تلاش برای آزادی، سرنوشتی بهتر از پذیرش زندانه...
این کتاب، طعمی داره مثل طعم آزادی... جنگیدنی برای رهایی... و اینکه هیچ چیز و هیچ کسی، نمیتونه برای ابد حق مسلم انسان هارو که آزادی و فکر کردنه بگیره...
این کتاب هم رفت کنار اون هایی که تا ابد توی ذهن و روح و قلبم حک میشه
March 17, 2017
So good, but... SO stressful--which makes the book even better! Loved it!!
May 23, 2024
A Night Divided by Jennifer A. Nielson is a captivating historical fiction novel that kept me hooked from start to finish. The story of a divided family striving for freedom is both heart-wrenching and inspiring.
March 15, 2021
This was one of the hardest books for me to read. It was really tough. It was not so much the content, but the reality of the time it is set in (divided Germany) that was really moving. The government controlled peoples’ thoughts, by simply not letting them think.
This has happened again and again over history and it will happen again in the future.
Gerta is a character that will stay in my mind for a long time. She had the courage to think. May we always have this courage too.
5 stars from 5
Quotes:
“If I cannot speak what I think, then it’s a crime just to be me.” p.72
“We do have the responsibility to be good citizens. Even if we are rebelling against some of their laws – maybe even their biggest law – that doesn’t mean we can rebel against everything that is right.” p.190
This has happened again and again over history and it will happen again in the future.
Gerta is a character that will stay in my mind for a long time. She had the courage to think. May we always have this courage too.
5 stars from 5
Quotes:
“If I cannot speak what I think, then it’s a crime just to be me.” p.72
“We do have the responsibility to be good citizens. Even if we are rebelling against some of their laws – maybe even their biggest law – that doesn’t mean we can rebel against everything that is right.” p.190
March 4, 2023
نمیدونم کی یا چی من رو نفرین کرده تا کتابهای مناسب رو، خیلی اتفاقی در زمان مناسبی بخونم و درد و رنجم چندین برابر بشه. شاید فکر کنید کلمهی «رنج» اینجا اشتباهه چون کتابها رو باید در زمان مناسبشون خوند، ولی نه. مثلا اون موقعی که داداشم توی سیسییو بود و اصلا مشخص نبود بههوش میآد یا نه، من یهو به خودم اومدم و دیدم دارم کتاب «میک هارته اینجا بود» رو میخونم که خاطرات یه دختر بعد از مرگ برادرشه. و بعله، اون زمان عملا از هم پاشیدم. حالا هم همینطوره. روز به روز زندگیِ ما پر از سیاهی و ترس و کثافته و من میام خیلی اتفاقی نسخهی واقعی و نوجوانانهی «۱۹۸۴» رو میخونم! حقی که نفرین شدهم و باید پیش دعانویسی، چیزی برم.
(ولی شما یهروزی که حالتون خوب بود، این کتاب رو بخونید. به نظرم نویسندهش کار بزرگی انجام داده. دمش گرم.)
(ولی شما یهروزی که حالتون خوب بود، این کتاب رو بخونید. به نظرم نویسندهش کار بزرگی انجام داده. دمش گرم.)
June 12, 2022
داستان این کتاب راجع به یه خانواده است که به وسیله استبداد دو طرف یه دیوار تقسیم شدن و از هم جدا موندن. از ظلم و اسارتی میگفت که به طرز دردناکی برام آشنا بود؛ شاید نه به اون شدت اما خیلی عمیق. این داستان اصلا رمانتیک نیست. درمورد عشق یه خانواده است و جسارتشون برای پس گرفتن آزادی که ازشون گرفته شده. نمیگم کتاب تاپ و خفنی بود ولی زیبا بود. باهاش احساس راحتی میکردم. کلی هیجان رو تجربه کردم، اصلا حوصله رو سر نمیبرد از بس داستانش فراز و فرود داشت و اکثر مواقع توی اوج بود. ترجمه داستان هم خوب بود و به نظرم جای خاصی نبود که بخوان سانسورش کنن.
من نمونه صوتی کتاب رو با صدای مهرانه امروانی گوش دادم و به نظرم اوکی بود و قشنگ میخوند:)
من نمونه صوتی کتاب رو با صدای مهرانه امروانی گوش دادم و به نظرم اوکی بود و قشنگ میخوند:)
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