A Night Divided by Jennifer A Nielsen Review

WARNING: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS BELOW

“The fence was only the beginning. It had just divided my life in half. And nothing would ever be the same again.”-A Night Divided, Jennifer A Nielsen

With the rise of the Berlin Wall, twelve-year-old Gerta finds her family divided overnight. She, her mother, and her brother Fritz live on the eastern side, controlled by the Soviets. Her father and middle brother, who had gone west in search of work, cannot return home. Gerta knows it is dangerous to watch the wall, to think forbidden thoughts of freedom, yet she can't help herself. She sees the East German soldiers with their guns trained on their own citizens; she, her family, her neighbors and friends are prisoners in their own city.

But one day, while on her way to school, Gerta spots her father on a viewing platform on the western side, pantomiming a peculiar dance. Then, when she receives a mysterious drawing, Gerta puts two and two together and concludes that her father wants Gerta and Fritz to tunnel beneath the wall, out of East Berlin. However, if they are caught, the consequences will be deadly. No one can be trusted. Will Gerta and her family find their way to freedom?

I kinda missed the boat on middle grade novels. I mean, sure, I read some middle grade novels back in late elementary school through my middle school years, but I think for the most part I made the jump directly from advanced children's chapter books to YA and even adult books. When I think back to my middle school years I read books like The Outsiders, To Kill a Mockingbird, and The Great Gatsby, but I also read complete trash like the TTYL series (that I can't believe my mom let me read) that was all most decidedly not middle grade. The books that I think came the closest to middle grade include the Araminta Spookie books that I first really got into in 4th or 5th grade I believe, maybe later, the Percy Jackson series (5th grade for that one), and The Girl Who Could Fly. Middle school was also where I became obsessed with Unwind, but that's a story for another day. As a whole though, I don't really remember reading much at all in middle school, and if I did middle grade wasn't something that really appealed to me because of how fantasy heavy it was.

Because of this, when I encounter middle grade out in the wild, I never know really how to grade it. While I'm confident in my abilities to rate YA and adult novels, simply because I've read a ton of those, middle grade of any kind stump me. I constantly wonder if I'm being too lenient on a book or too harsh on one, whether I expect too much or too little. And because I hate rating them, I avoid them and the cycle kind of repeats itself. Also, I don't like fantasy, and a lot of middle grade is fantasy which makes it easier to avoid. I suppose that middle grade is a good metaphor for the middle school years, though, since from what I remember people always used to expect too much of me or not enough. I guess if you wanted to be deep about it you could say that's why I stay away from middle grade- who wants to relive their middle school years?

Anyway, I picked this book up because it was recommended to me, sounded interesting, and was cheap enough for me to want it. I go through historical phases a lot, and right now I'm super into the 60s and the Cold War. Mostly the early sixties, though. I'm also trying to get back into historical fiction. I mean, it's not that my love for it has ever died or anything, it's that I really haven't been impressed with any of the new releases in this genre and have been having a hard time finding really great old ones. I'm also been getting sick of WWII (though The Last Lament is on my list). I don't know. I think the reasons thrillers have been standing out to me lately is because of all new and exciting things happening in the genre and the lack of sameness and repetition whereas the historical fiction genre lately is plagued by it. Also, I hate romance novels, and I don't know why, but there's something about historical fiction that draws romance writers. So A Night Divided, being about the Cold War and East Berlin and NOT WWII drew me in despite being middle grade.

And right away, my usual problems with middle grade started. My first potential criticism was that the author really liked to tell us her research as opposed to show it to us. We got a lot of paragraphs that were basically info-dumps, something I probably would have liked more if it all wasn't simplified and repetitive to me. This isn't Life: An Exploded Diagram, telling me straight up facts but in an amusing way. No, it was pretty dry, basic WWII/Cold War stuff. However, even as I wrote this complaint down in my notes, the nagging in my brain started again. "What if this stuff is typical of middle grade historical fiction? What if some twelve year old girl reads this book and decides she wants to know more about the Cold War and soon she wants to become a historian?" And this is where I hesitate. Look, I'm not one to give idea points, unless the idea is really, really cool. I don't give people who write books about "taboo" topics higher scores than those who don't because of their "bravery". That seems dishonest to me. But in this case, I waffled. Because the hard facts aren't really that bad or annoying, and I would love if middle schoolers got interested in history because of books like this. Apparently, I do give idea points to books that I think have some educational or interest value, especially if their target audience is bored middle schoolers with no interests besides shopping and boys and music. So in the end, I decided I didn't hate the factual paragraphs.

Next, I decided I didn't like the main character very much. I didn't hate her or anything, but she was the very typical strong, trouble making preteen girl, the kind of character I picture when I'm asked to picture a female protag from a middle grade/young YA novel. I mean she's harmless enough- she's got the kind of traits that would empower a preteen girl but she's also so vanilla girls can project themselves on her. I mean, when I was a preteen girl, I enjoyed inserting myself as the main character (albeit so I can mentally manipulate the story so that everything in it happens that I want to happen). But I was torn as to how much personality I was to expect from a middle grade novel. I mean, the girls in books I remember reading- Araminta Spookie, Piper McCloud, Annabeth Chase, all those girls had tons of personality (admittedly all of them had "spunky" as a character trait in some form- except maybe Araminta, but she was in a class by herself) and none of them had as bland character traits as Gerta. I think this is one of those cases where I can definitely take off points, based on my limited experience.

In a lot of cases, I was reminded of Code Name Verity. I mean, Code Name Verity was alright, but I will maintain it's not the shining star of the YA/middle grade historical fiction genre. Elizabeth Wein's a good writer, but she doesn't stand out to me in a crowd the way Ruta Sepetys does or Mal Peet did (I mean, she's harmless, but kind of unoriginal, basic YA HF, though she does have some good ideas) And when I say I was reminded of Code Name Verity, I don't really mean in a content way, though the idea of digging a tunnel across the boarder and the action at the end is something Elizabeth Wein would dream up. I mean mostly in the fact that everything works out in the end. Sure, people do die, but they weren't really people I could bring myself to care deeply about. Those who you knew would come around came around, there's an instance of bait-and-switch villainry (which is one of my least favorite tropes of all time because come on now, just commit already), and a heel-face turn coming from the mother about staying in East Berlin. At least there was no magical back from the dead moments. It reminded me, in a very unpleasant way, of the second half of Code Name Verity and how Wein kind of destroyed every good thing she set up. But I don't know. Maybe that's what the middle grade audience wants, though I remember liking it when authors killed characters off, provided they weren't characters I really liked. Now, even when I like someone, I want them to die if the situation calls for their death. But at the same time, I could also see myself as a 12 year old, cheering them on when they escaped in A Night Divided. I mean, this isn't 1984. You know they're going to succeed in their goals, regardless as to how realistic or not they are.

There was also some very simplistic stuff about communism and the communist government I wasn't that into. Though again, I can see why Nielsen would be wary about diving right into the nitty-gritty of communism the way Simon Sebag Montefiore or Anthony Marra or, hell, even Ruta Sepetys does. It's the same reason why middle school world history drops off after the Middle Ages, or why they teach Animal Farm in 7th grade as opposed to 1984. I don't think any 12 year old, 12 year old me included, could truly comprehend the horrors of both WWs, or the terror of communism from the everyday man trapped inside the system. 

The writing wasn't much either. Too juvenile for me to really appreciate it. I think I'm the worst at judging middle grade writing, mostly because it's been so many years since I've read an actual middle grade novel and not a graphic novel that I have no idea what good middle grade writing is.

So in the end, this is a solid read I would surely recommend to any middle schooler interested in the topic of the Cold War, or at least I would if I knew any middle schoolers. Mostly those from the ages of 10-13, though in my opinion 13 is a little pushing it and I would likely give them Code Name Verity (despite my issues with that book) or Rose Under Fire instead. And maybe this one, if they really liked those two. I didn't love it or hate it, but it did remind me how much I miss this genre, and that's not a bad thing at all.

6.5 out of 10

Anya's Ghost by Vera Brosgol Review

WARNING: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS BELOW

Anya could really use a friend. But her new BFF isn't kidding about the "Forever" part.

Of all the things Anya expected to find at the bottom of an old well, a new friend was not one of them. Especially not a new friend who’s been dead for a century.

Falling down a well is bad enough, but Anya's normal life might actually be worse. She's embarrassed by her family, self-conscious about her body, and she's pretty much given up on fitting in at school. A new friend—even a ghost—is just what she needs.

Or so she thinks. Spooky, sardonic, and secretly sincere, Anya's Ghost is a wonderfully entertaining debut from author/artist Vera Brosgol. 

So, remember how I said I didn't really like graphic novels? Well, I still don't, but I might pick one up if it appeals to me enough. It's like fantasy, I don't really like it, but if one leaps out at me I'll put aside my prejudices for long enough to read it. Hey, that's how I discovered some of my favorite books, like The Road or Marina or the Six of Crows duology. 

So I picked up Anya's Ghost because it seemed like a really sweet graphic novel with some very mild horror elements about a girl from a Russian immigrant family who wanted to fit in despite everything and ends up meeting a ghost. As I strongly believe that Ghosts R Great, as well as my interest in Russian culture, I knew I had to read this book. 

I suppose, despite the ages of the characters, that it's middle grade, though I can't really tell with graphic novels. But the depth, or lack thereof, was right along the same level I've come to expect from middle grade works and thus I file it under middle grade. Fight me.

First, the negative. It had the same problem as the other graphic novels I read this month in that it seemed to be lacking depth, and felt rushed, leaving me wanting more from Anya and her story. The ghost thing, as well as the crush thing, felt like the author was really rushing to resolve that storyline. It's rare that I say this, but this book could be at least 100 pages longer. In fact, after finishing, I went on Goodreads, hoping for a sequel. I wanted more of Anya and her world and her friendship with Siobhan. Heck, I'd be fine with a webcomic- in fact, if she hadn't resolved the ghost storyline, this book idea would make a really freaking cute slice-of-life webcomic along the same lines as Sandra and Woo, or a more dramatic comedy like that one about the English school and the forest whose title I can't think of at the moment (sorry, it's been like 3 or 4 years since my webcomic phase- I stopped reading them when I started reading novels again). I mean, I guess that isn't a negative, since that means I liked the book enough to want more.

Because I did. I liked the message Brosgol was trying to get at. I liked the characters, and thought each one had a ton of potential. I loved Anya's family, and how even though she was embarrassed by them and how they tried to cling on to their old traditions while still assimilating to some degree, she still loved them- especially her brother, Sasha, who was your typical pain in the ass but loveable little brother, and her mother who, sure, was a little embarrassing but worked really hard to give her daughter a private school education- albeit a bad one. And I did love how Anya's crush's girlfriend wasn't some generic bitchy blonde mean girl, but was actually a really nice person. She reminded me of a girl I knew in high school- blond, beautiful, athletic, good grades, gifted singer, etc etc but also one of the nicest girls I knew. I think people like that exist just to make the rest of us feel bad.

So I guess my final thought is that this book is one of the best graphic novels I've read. Which I suppose isn't saying much, but still. Also, if I could, I'd commission Brosgol to write a webcomic based on Anya's Ghost. I suppose what this is means is that, while I don't love speculative fiction in real books, it's a lot better in graphic novels. Maybe it's because of the shorter length or the pretty illustrations, but if I must read speculative fiction in the future, especially paranormal or fantasy, I'd love it to be in graphic novel form. I think I'd pay good money to see books like Six of Crows or Marina (please God make that happen!) in graphic novel format. Not The Road though. I don't think that one would work too well.

7.5-8 out of 10

Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier Review + A Mini Review of Dare to Disappoint by Ozge Samanci

WARNING: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS BELOW

Catrina and her family are moving to the coast of Northern California because her little sister, Maya, is sick. Cat isn't happy about leaving her friends for Bahía de la Luna, but Maya has cystic fibrosis and will benefit from the cool, salty air that blows in from the sea. As the girls explore their new home, a neighbor lets them in on a secret: There are ghosts in Bahía de la Luna. Maya is determined to meet one, but Cat wants nothing to do with them. As the time of year when ghosts reunite with their loved ones approaches, Cat must figure out how to put aside her fears for her sister's sake - and her own. 

I'm not really a graphic novel fan. As much as I love art and animation and all that, graphic novels never really caught my eye. Maybe it's because graphic novel art reminds me a lot of the new Cartoon Network art, which is kind of unappealing to me. Also, a lot of graphic novels just kind of blend together and none of them stand out when I browse for books at my local library. 

But this month I read not one but two graphic novels. And I remembered another reason why I don't usually read graphic novels, but I'll get to that in a second. This is the first, which I picked up on a whim and also because, as I think I mentioned before, I really enjoy Raina Telgemeier's work. She's one of the few middle grade writers who have managed to hold my interest, and I find her art style unique and pleasant for a graphic novel. I especially like her memoirs, though I did also enjoy Drama, her first middle grade straight up novel. 

So with all that in mind I picked up Ghosts. I was intrigued by this book when it first came out in the September of last year, but then got distracted by other books that came out around that time, like A Gentleman in Moscow and Crooked Kingdom. I liked the fact that it was about a little girl with cystic fibrosis and her older sister dealing with the very real possibility that her sister will not live very long. I've never read a book that had a girl with cystic fibrosis in it, though I was aware of its existence, and really liked that representation. I also liked the Mexican cultural elements. Latin, especially Mexican, culture is so vibrant and colorful and quite interesting. Also, the Day of the Dead is easily one of the most interesting holidays out there, and I was a little in love with the Northern California town she created to set her story in- I'd never live in California, but if I had to, it'd be to there. Or San Francisco. Either one. 

That being said, my favorite part was the illustrations. I loved Telgemeier's take on ghosts. I admit, I expected a more realistic style of drawing ghosts and was really happy when I saw those cute little things. I also really liked her character designs and how she goes to extra lengths to make sure that all of her characters, even the background ones, are visually interesting and unique. 

Of course, this book does have flaws. It is a middle grade book, and a graphic novel, so the emotions don't reach as deep as they could have been. The characters aren't as developed as they could have been, and their development was pretty instantaneous. Both of these are common problems I have with graphic novels- I find that they're usually pretty short, and as such are pretty surface level in terms of depth. Often I leave them wanting more. 

But overall, I did enjoy this book, about as much I can enjoy a middle grade graphic novel. Also, ghosts. I really love ghosts. I'm tempted to pick up Anya's Ghost now because of this book. Recommended for any middle grade reader, graphic novel lover or not.

7.5 out of 10

And now, a mini review of Dare to Disappoint by Ozge Samanci

Growing up on the Aegean Coast, Ozge loved the sea and imagined a life of adventure while her parents and society demanded predictability. Her dad expected Ozge, like her sister, to become an engineer. She tried to hear her own voice over his and the religious and militaristic tensions of Turkey and the conflicts between secularism and fundamentalism. Could she be a scuba diver like Jacques Cousteau? A stage actress? Would it be possible to please everyone including herself?

In her unpredictable and funny graphic memoir, Ozge recounts her story using inventive collages, weaving together images of the sea, politics, science, and friendship. 

Not crazy about this book. It had a lot of the same problems as Ghosts, but with a storyline that endeared me less and with what seemed like much less heart. I felt like Samanci just wrote this book because of the success of books along the same lines as this, like Persopolis (haven't read that one, and honestly, it doesn't really appeal much to me). 

I also felt that Samanci didn't really know where she was going with this book. Did she want to write a book about her father's pressure on her, fundamental Islam, a picture of Turkey at the time, what? The book felt as confused as Turkey did during the 80s. The lack of her telling us any time periods confused me, and made this not the best book for someone interested in a history of modern Turkey. Perhaps that's intentional, to mimic her feelings about what she should do with her life, but I don't know.

So what did I like? It was easy to read- I read the whole thing in one sitting without even checking it out because I was tired of my other book- and the mixed media elements were interesting even if it did add to the confused, jumbled together nature of the book. Some parts were actually pretty funny, but other times her jokes missed the mark a bit. My favorite parts were at the beginning of the book, when she talked about her experiences in primary school- the book kind of lost me as she entered her teenage years.

But the art style was mostly unpleasant and the ending felt unfinished and I left this book feeling very meh. I suppose if I want to read a book about Middle Eastern culture (I'm referring to the Middle East more as a cultural construct, not a geographical one in this context, because I know that Turkey isn't part of the Middle East geographically and people get all butthurt about it), I'd pick up something by Khaled Hosseini. His books are longer, and they lack the pictures, but his characters and portrayals of their situations are unmatched. Adore his stuff.

5-5.5 out of 10