A Night Divided

Kate Simses serves up a vivid, utterly believable portrayal of a family separated by the newly erected Berlin Wall. Young Gerta, her mother, and her older brother, Fritz, are trapped by the constant scrutiny of the East German border police, while her father and younger brother are unable to return from the West. Listeners will feel the complete despair in Gerta's voice as life in East Berlin becomes bleak and uncertain. Simses allows hope to flicker in the two children as they dig a tunnel toward freedom, and their father and brother. Simses paces the ebb and flow of tension so well that listeners will lose all track of time. The palpable fear of capture and the excited hope of reunion raise this performance above the norm. M.F.T. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine

Starred review from December 1, 2015

Gr 5-8-This work follows the brave journey of 12-year-old Gerta and her older brother, Fritz, as they try to leave East Berlin. Gerta's father escaped right before the Wall went up, but Gerta spots him across the Wall and deciphers his secret message that she is to dig her way through freedom. The novel graphically describes life in East Berlin and the terror and fear experienced by the average citizen. The suspense builds with each chapter. Additional characters who make the story come alive include the snooping neighbor; Gerta's former best friend, Anna; and their lonely mother, who has to care for their aging grandmother. Kate Simses's reading is fast-paced, emotionally charged, and exciting. Her voice is clear and age-appropriate for the characters depicted. VERDICT This excellent work of historical fiction is suspenseful, realistic, and enthralling. ["The novel's strong setting and tense climax will keep readers engrossed and holding their breath until the last page": SLJ 7/15 review of the Scholastic book.]-Ellen Frank, Flushing High School Library, Queens, NY

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

hummingbird1 - Gerta's family is split. Gerta, Gerta's mom, and one of Gerta's brothers are on the east side, and Gerta's dad and Gerta's other brother are on the west side. The wall divides them. Earlier that week, Gerta's brother and dad went over to the west side to look for work, but the wall went up before they could get back, dividing their family. People try to escape from the west, but the soldiers are not afraid to kill. Even after its been up for a year, Gerta still finds herself staring at the wall, wishing she was on the other side. One day when she was walking to school, Gerta sees her brother and dad for the first time since the wall went up. Her dad does a silly dance they used to do together, but he keeps emphasizing on the "dig" part. After other clues come, Gerta concludes that her dad wants her to tunnel across to the west side, along with her mom and brother. But the bloodthirsty soldiers could very well end Gerta's life, so the risk is huge. But since this is her only chance to get across. Gerta and her brother Fritz try to tunnel their way to freedom, with many challenges and consequences along the way. This page turning book will keep your heart beating, and you can really feel Gerta's emotions. I love this book SO MUCH, and I know you will too. I recommend this book to boys and girls ages 9+.