My 11 year old loves WWII books and chose this book for us. I am glad she did, right from the beginning this book has you interested in Hansi’s experience in East and West Berlin post WWII It’s entertaining and educational. It made me think about my own freedoms and the importance of teaching them to our children.
We read this as a read-aloud. It is now my 10 year-olds favorite book! It is a great historical-fiction about communism, but it is also a great book to inspire Americans, and help us remember our freedoms and what we need to protect. The book does end in a way that feels like there could be a great sequel. We were a little disappointed that there wasn’t a sequel, but my son responded with: “I am going to write the sequel!”
This is a great historical fiction set during WWII. It’s from the perspective of a 12 year old boy, Hansi, trapped behind the Berlin Wall and his journey to escape. It’s suspenseful, educational, and emotional. We couldn’t put it down.
I really liked this book. It’s an historical fiction and teaches a lot of great principles. It explains why communism is not a good world view to line yourself with. I think this would be a great resource to teach about that world view and the dangers of it.
Suddenly the sound of heavy footsteps drew nearer, coming up the stairs, tramp, tramp, tramp, nearer, strange and threatening. . . . The Russian police of East Berlin. Five of them!
When twelve-year-old Hansi’s father is arrested, his world is turned upside down. Why was his father taken away? Hansi discovers a past he didn’t know his family had, and soon after, he embarks on an adventure he never could have imagined—a daring trek to cross the great wall that divides East from West Berlin.
With the help of a small dog and some other friends he makes along the way, Hansi comes to realize that the things he’s been taught in post-World War II East Berlin may not provide the best way to live after all.
162 pages
This book is a suggested read-aloud for the History Year 1 course and is included in the optional History 1 Book Pack.