A Night Divided

A Night Divided by Jennifer A. Nielsen dramatizes the experiences of the division of Germany after World War II and tells a tale of family separation from a child’s perspective. The novel explores the effects of repressive government on intimate relationships as the main character, 12-year-old Gerta, watches friendships and partnerships dissolve due to the Cold War. It is a story of individual heroism and family devotion. The novel became an ILA-CBC Children’s Choices Reading List Selection. Nielsen is known for her many middle grade and young adult novels, including The False Prince (2012), Rescue (2021), and Iceberg (2023).

Content Warning: The novel and this guide discuss torture and police brutality.

At the start of the novel, Gerta is ignorant of the political challenges she and her family face. Her father has a history of government critique but has been careful to hide this from his children. Still traumatized by World War II, Gerta’s mother wants nothing to do with dissidents or protesting and desires only to keep her family clothed, fed, and safe. All this changes, however, when the Berlin Wall is erected overnight, while Gerta, her family, and the rest of Germany sleeps.