The Wall Between Us

By Author / Illustrator

Dan Smith

Genre

Historical Fiction

Age range(s)

Publisher

Chicken House Ltd

ISBN

9781912626762

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

08-06-2023

Synopsis

A stunning, exciting story from acclaimed author Dan Smith - author of the Carnegie Medal-nominated Nisha's War.

BERLIN 1961 Anja and Monika live opposite each other. They play together every day, with Otto the cat. One night they wake up to bangs and shouts. Soldiers are building a huge barbed wire fence between them. A terrible forever wall that gets longer and higher until it divides the whole city. On the East side, Monika is scared - neighbours are becoming spies and there are secret police everywhere. It's Anja who spots that Otto has found a way across. If he can visit Monika, then perhaps she can too. But Anja gets trapped and there's no safe way back . . .

An emotional, atmospheric story from Carnegie Medal-nominated author Dan Smith, author of Nisha's War, My Friend the Enemy and She Wolf. A high-stakes adventure, set during the Cold War, centred on two cousins separated when the Berlin Wall is built. Perfect for readers aged 9 and up who may be studying the Cold War at school.

PRAISE FOR DAN SMITH: 'Action, adventure, wolves, snow ... this story has EVERYTHING. I devoured it so quickly I need to read it again.' EMMA CARROLL on She Wolf. 'This book grabbed me from page one - highly recommended' HISTORICAL NOVEL SOCIETY on My Friend the Enemy.

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Reviews

The Wall Between Us would make a fantastic addition to any classroom learning about wars. Set in Berlin in 1961, best friends Anja and Monika are suddenly divided when a huge barbed wire fence is built between their homes. Life dramatically changes for Monika as people around her keep disappearing and dangers appear increasingly more often. One day, she discovers that the cat the girls used to play with together has found a way over the wall, which gives her hope that she can too.

The story depicts a really difficult time in history but tells it with great sensitivity in a way that is relatable to children. The diary format makes it really accessible and allows you as a reader to clearly empathise with the girls. It would make some great examples of writing for children to study and replicate in school and I will be adding it into our Year 6 curriculum to supplement other famous stories structured in a diary style.

I would thoroughly recommend this book to children aged nine and above.

272 pages / Reviewed by Lisa Watkins, teacher