I could not put this book down! You are immediately drawn into the drama of Gerta and her family being divided by the Berlin Wall. Her father and brother, Dominic, were on the West side of Berlin for a few days and when the wall went up on August 13, 1961 Gerta, her mom, and her brother Fritz were home on the East side. Their family and many others were now unable to be together. Gerta's father had been very vocal about his feelings about the government in the East so their family was being closely watched. They learn that their home is bugged by the government so they are very creative in how they communicate while at home.
When Gerta spots her father on a lookout on the wall she sees him acting out a moves to a song he would sing for her at night. She believes that her father wants her to dig to the other side of the wall. It's been four long years since the family was separated and she convinces Fritz to help her dig the tunnel where their father was able to communicate to them through a mysterious delivery of a map. They are running out of time because Fritz is almost old enough to be placed in the military and he doesn't want to be in the military. They also learn that even their close friends can be now spies and enemies while an enemy might really be a friend. Who can they really trust? Soon their mother is helping with the digging which makes the work go much faster. Will they make it out alive? Will they see their father and Dominic? You will need to read this ASAP to find out!
I have a favorite quote from this book as well. Fritz tells his sister Gerta "Courage isn't knowing you can do something; it is only being willing to try". Gerta was willing to try whatever she could to get her family reunited even if she didn't make it she would try.
I really loved this book and appreciate my new found knowledge about Berlin during this time in our world's history.
After reading this book spend sometime with your family.
Happy Daily Reading
Deanna
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