"A Night Divided" by Jennifer A. Nielsen is a Good Read We Both Enjoyed! (Updated)

A Night Divided by Jennifer A. Nielsen 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.
(Karen's review, 5 stars)


In A Night Divided by Jennifer A. Nielsen, Gerta lives with her mom and dad and two brothers.  They have heard talk of something soon to happen so the father and young brother go on a scouting mission, but when the Berlin Wall goes up, they cannot get back!  Greta wants to be together again but how to make that happen and who to trust?

This book was very good!  The writing is excellent and the tension builds throughout.  I loved all the characters and the book reads true to life.  A must read!  I highly recommend this one!
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday--4 Today

Gerard's:

For a moment, I honestly don't understand.  And then it hits me with the force of a blow:  they don't have a problem with what I've done.

From page 21 of Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult.

We walked on in silence for a couple of minutes longer, until my anger had entirely faded and I could no longer remember exactly why I'd chased after her in the first place.

From page 13 of Our Chemical Hearts by Krystal Sutherland.

Karen's:

I awoke to sirens screaming throughout my city of East Berlin.  Instantly, I flew from my bed.  Something must be terribly wrong.

From page 1 of A Night Divided by Jennifer A. Nielsen.

And all of a sudden
I'm blinking back tears.
Because seeing him
lying there like that makes me . . .

From page 11 of Saving Red by Sonya Sones. 


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Books and a Beat. Anyone can play along, so I thought  I  would play for fun! Just pick two sentences from the book you are reading. 

Happy Reading!

"Our Chemical Hearts" by Krystal Sutherland, A Good Debut Novel

In Our Chemical Hearts by Krystal Sutherland, Henry Page is sitting in class one day when a new girl enters dressed in boys clothes, her hair undone, and walks with a cane.  Henry needs a female relationship in his life, is Grace Town the girl for him?   I thought this book was really good.  I enjoyed both Henry and Grace as they got to know each other.  The last part of the book is very good!  For a first book by the author, she set a high bar for herself.
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"Saving Red" by Sonya Sones is a "Feel-Good" Book (UPDATED)

Saving Red, by Sonya Sones is about Molly, a teen girl with a service dog, Pixel, who helps her cope with her panic attacks.  She becomes friends with a homeless girl, Red, who  has some mental issues of her own.  Molly decides to help reunite her with her family before Christmas. 

I enjoyed this unique teen fiction book written in verse.  It goes very quick and I liked the story line.  It touches on PTSD, suicide in addition to homelessness, mental illness and guilt.  It was interesting to see her make friends with Red and also Cristo and his cat!  Although this book deals with some heavy subjects, it is not dark at all but pretty uplifting.
(Karen's review, 5 stars)

In Saving Red, by Sonya Sones, Molly is a young teen girl who has a dog named Pixel.  You will love Pixel!  One night, Red is out doing community service and she sees a young red-headed girl who she becomes friends with.  She wants to get Red back to her family in time for the holidays but can she?

This book is told in verse with ongoing action so it goes very fast.  I enjoyed all the characters.  If you are looking for a feel-good book, this is it!  I LOVED IT!
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"The Call" by Peadar O'Guilin

The Call by Peadar O'Guilin takes place in Ireland.  The Sidhe have been banished and put in a land of their own and have the power to take young teens to their land.  If you get the "call," good luck on getting away!

This book is an out-and-out horror story.  If this was a movie, I am not sure I would want to see it.  But I was fine reading it.  Nessa is a really good main character.  The last part of the book was a real page turner!  If there is a book 2, sign me up!  If you enjoyed the Hunger Games, then you will probably enjoy this one.
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!