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The Wall Between Us
Berlin, 1961. Anja and Monika are best friends – they even share a cat called Otto. When a huge barbed wire fence is built between their apartment blocks, everything changes; their city and family are divided by the Berlin Wall. In the West, Anja is sure it will be taken down, but Monika is afraid. Her world is neighbours keep disappearing, others become spies and shadowy threats lurk around every corner. Then, Anja discovers that Otto has found a way across. And if he can reach Monika, so can she ... PRAISE FOR DAN '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
212 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 8, 2023
9 people are currently reading
171 people want to read
About the author
Dan Smith
313 books17 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
September 8, 2025
My Year 5 class absolutely loved this book! They were completely hooked and kept begging me to read more. We went through all the emotions and it was tough not to cry at times! Highly recommend!
June 19, 2024
I can’t find the words to describe this breathtaking, beautiful book.
November 27, 2023
Quite interesting but very repetitive.
April 28, 2024
The Wall Between Us by Dan Smith is a powerful historical children’s novel that totally gripped me. I just could not put it down and read it in just two sittings, pausing only to sleep.
The novel is about the erecting of the Berlin Wall in 1961. This literally divided families as the wall split Berlin in two. The Berlin Wall was actually 155Km long with just three checkpoints, the most famous being Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin. West Germany was divided from Soviet controlled East Germany, which was a very different place to live.
All the action is seen through the eyes of two twelve year old cousins who lived either side of the street that the wall cut in two. They were like sisters and best friends, nothing had ever divided them before, they even shared Otto the cat.
The action is written in the form of letters, notes, diary entries and reports. History literally comes alive for the reader. We can ‘feel’ the fear and the disappointment. It is easy to empathise with both girls.
This was a time of mistrust, distrust and betrayal. Anyone could be an informant. It was best to trust no one and to keep one’s opinions private. It was also a time where bribery and coercion were used. A young girl’s openness and innocence is manipulated as she becomes a pawn in a dangerous game.
Lives were altered forever as guilt threatened to sink characters. Innocence was forever marred.
Dan Smith has produced a marvellous tale. The Wall Between Us is a social commentary on the times. 1961 was a momentous time in history. Likewise, 1989 when the wall came down is also momentous. Everyone remembers what they were doing as the news broke of the wall coming down. As a child born in the 1960’s, I had only ever known of a time with the Berlin Wall. To watch the events unfold in 1989 on my television really was history unfolding before my eyes. The significance was not really realized by me at the time.
The Wall Between Us is a powerful tale for anyone aged twelve years and over. History really does spring to life as the reader empathises with Anja and Monika. The Wall Between Us should be part of the English national curriculum. It is such a powerful read about a dark time. We should all be aware of the past, so that we do not repeat it.
The Wall Between Us would also make a fabulous television series – any producers out there, please take note.
The novel is about the erecting of the Berlin Wall in 1961. This literally divided families as the wall split Berlin in two. The Berlin Wall was actually 155Km long with just three checkpoints, the most famous being Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin. West Germany was divided from Soviet controlled East Germany, which was a very different place to live.
All the action is seen through the eyes of two twelve year old cousins who lived either side of the street that the wall cut in two. They were like sisters and best friends, nothing had ever divided them before, they even shared Otto the cat.
The action is written in the form of letters, notes, diary entries and reports. History literally comes alive for the reader. We can ‘feel’ the fear and the disappointment. It is easy to empathise with both girls.
This was a time of mistrust, distrust and betrayal. Anyone could be an informant. It was best to trust no one and to keep one’s opinions private. It was also a time where bribery and coercion were used. A young girl’s openness and innocence is manipulated as she becomes a pawn in a dangerous game.
Lives were altered forever as guilt threatened to sink characters. Innocence was forever marred.
Dan Smith has produced a marvellous tale. The Wall Between Us is a social commentary on the times. 1961 was a momentous time in history. Likewise, 1989 when the wall came down is also momentous. Everyone remembers what they were doing as the news broke of the wall coming down. As a child born in the 1960’s, I had only ever known of a time with the Berlin Wall. To watch the events unfold in 1989 on my television really was history unfolding before my eyes. The significance was not really realized by me at the time.
The Wall Between Us is a powerful tale for anyone aged twelve years and over. History really does spring to life as the reader empathises with Anja and Monika. The Wall Between Us should be part of the English national curriculum. It is such a powerful read about a dark time. We should all be aware of the past, so that we do not repeat it.
The Wall Between Us would also make a fabulous television series – any producers out there, please take note.
February 1, 2025
The wall between us is a depressing and melancholy story about a historical event in 1961, when west and east Berlin was separated. The story is about two girls named Anja and Monika who are best-friends and cousins become separated when a border wall is made between their homes marking East and West Berlin. The wall changes everything. The two friends are both determined to get back together, however, they have to hide from spies who do not want any West Berliners going into the East, and East Berliners going into the West.
I liked that the historical background of the story was well explained. Not only was this book entertaining, but also informing, as I could learn more about when Berlin was separated. For example, I was informed that there were lots of spies who stopped people from crossing the wall, and people who attempted were killed. I also liked that the book had some writing formats where it was like a diary that the characters wrote. This gave us a closer understanding of how the characters felt and thought. In the plot of the story, there were lots of twists and turns, and even dramatic irony. Personally, I think that the plot is very well organized. However, some parts I think could improve are the detail and description, as most parts lacked detail, and I couldn’t really imagine what was going on by reading the words. Although this could be because the book was targeted on a younger audience, I personally think that it would have been better if the book was directed to an older audience, as the topic of the book is very stern and serious, therefore, I believe that older people would be able to connect with the topic more that younger kids.
All in all, I would suggest this book to students ages 9-11, or students who are close to the end of the primary years, but not yet in middle school, as the book is an easy read, but the topic is kind of depressing and serious. I do think this is a book that everyone is welcome to read, but not students who are too young because the topic would not make sense, or interest them, or students who are older, because they might find that the book is boring because the reading level is relatively low.
I liked that the historical background of the story was well explained. Not only was this book entertaining, but also informing, as I could learn more about when Berlin was separated. For example, I was informed that there were lots of spies who stopped people from crossing the wall, and people who attempted were killed. I also liked that the book had some writing formats where it was like a diary that the characters wrote. This gave us a closer understanding of how the characters felt and thought. In the plot of the story, there were lots of twists and turns, and even dramatic irony. Personally, I think that the plot is very well organized. However, some parts I think could improve are the detail and description, as most parts lacked detail, and I couldn’t really imagine what was going on by reading the words. Although this could be because the book was targeted on a younger audience, I personally think that it would have been better if the book was directed to an older audience, as the topic of the book is very stern and serious, therefore, I believe that older people would be able to connect with the topic more that younger kids.
All in all, I would suggest this book to students ages 9-11, or students who are close to the end of the primary years, but not yet in middle school, as the book is an easy read, but the topic is kind of depressing and serious. I do think this is a book that everyone is welcome to read, but not students who are too young because the topic would not make sense, or interest them, or students who are older, because they might find that the book is boring because the reading level is relatively low.
October 16, 2024
Anja y Monika no son sólo primas, son las mejores amigas del mundo. Se ven todos los días, ya que viven enfrente la una de la otra, separadas solo por una pequeña calle. Sus vidas son perfectas hasta que una noche de 1961, cuando solo tenían doce años, unos obreros empiezan a construir un muro. No se trata de cualquier muro, sino que es el tristemente famoso Muro de Berlín, el aciago intento de la comunista República Democrática Alemana de evitar que su población tenga contacto con la "decadencia" occidental.
Con las aventuras y desventuras de Anja y Monika el autor muestra al público más joven qué fue y qué significó este Muro que separó no un país, sino familias, parejas, amigos. Una separación que duró décadas, desde 1961 hasta 1989.
El libro está escrito alternando el diario de Anja y las cartas de Mónika, por lo que conocemos de primera mano los dos puntos de vista de ambas niñas.
Es una lectura muy amena, emotiva, que se lee rápido. Un buen libro para que los más jóvenes de la casa sepan algo más de esa etapa de nuestra historia.
Con las aventuras y desventuras de Anja y Monika el autor muestra al público más joven qué fue y qué significó este Muro que separó no un país, sino familias, parejas, amigos. Una separación que duró décadas, desde 1961 hasta 1989.
El libro está escrito alternando el diario de Anja y las cartas de Mónika, por lo que conocemos de primera mano los dos puntos de vista de ambas niñas.
Es una lectura muy amena, emotiva, que se lee rápido. Un buen libro para que los más jóvenes de la casa sepan algo más de esa etapa de nuestra historia.
January 8, 2024
3.5
This is technically as children's book, but frankly it has more depth than the average YA. Told largely in an epistolary format with various forms of communication between cousins and best friends Anja and Monika as they find themselves on different sides of the Berlin Wall. Having recently visited Berlin its notable how thin the wall actually was. Yet its impact was colossal and Smith does well to convey how the wall began as a fence that sprang up overnight and gradually worsened into the near-impermeable barrier it became. The role of the Stasi and how people became ensmeshed in them is also clearly illustrated without being too didactic.
I felt the story stopped a little sooner than I would have liked, but I cannot deny that the story arrived its aim, making an almost hard to believe historical event come alive.
This is technically as children's book, but frankly it has more depth than the average YA. Told largely in an epistolary format with various forms of communication between cousins and best friends Anja and Monika as they find themselves on different sides of the Berlin Wall. Having recently visited Berlin its notable how thin the wall actually was. Yet its impact was colossal and Smith does well to convey how the wall began as a fence that sprang up overnight and gradually worsened into the near-impermeable barrier it became. The role of the Stasi and how people became ensmeshed in them is also clearly illustrated without being too didactic.
I felt the story stopped a little sooner than I would have liked, but I cannot deny that the story arrived its aim, making an almost hard to believe historical event come alive.
February 26, 2024
3.5 stars
Anja and Monika are cousins and best friends who are separated suddenly when a wall is built down their street in Berlin. Set in a fascinating time in history when Germany is separated into East and West, the story is mostly narrated in alternating perspectives from their letters/journal writing which are catalogued in a police file. Anja realises her cat is appearing on the barricades' far side and sneaks out at night to follow it in the hopes of seeing her cousin again. At times Anja is annoyingly naive and Monika lacking in sense. But the author manages to convey the fear which pervaded life and the way people were manipulated into telling tales on their neighbours and colleagues. Not quite as stand out as "Cloud and Wallfish" by Anne Nesbet, but still enjoyable and informative.
Anja and Monika are cousins and best friends who are separated suddenly when a wall is built down their street in Berlin. Set in a fascinating time in history when Germany is separated into East and West, the story is mostly narrated in alternating perspectives from their letters/journal writing which are catalogued in a police file. Anja realises her cat is appearing on the barricades' far side and sneaks out at night to follow it in the hopes of seeing her cousin again. At times Anja is annoyingly naive and Monika lacking in sense. But the author manages to convey the fear which pervaded life and the way people were manipulated into telling tales on their neighbours and colleagues. Not quite as stand out as "Cloud and Wallfish" by Anne Nesbet, but still enjoyable and informative.
May 26, 2025
This is an informative story about what life was like when Germany was divided after WW2 and the Berlin Wall essentially turned West Berlin into an island.
The division of East and West began with a barbed-wire fence and grew from there. Unhappy about being separated, friends Anja and Monika send messages via a small locket on Anja's cat. One day, Anja follows the cat and ends up stranded on the wrong side of the wall. Secrecy and danger prevail.
The cons of the book is that it is limited to telling events from a child's point of view, and when Anja is trapped, it becomes very repetitive as she does the same things every day (stay quiet, stay hidden). Monika's stupidity (naïvety), while realistic in some respects, was also grating.
Overall, good, but I think it could have been better.
The division of East and West began with a barbed-wire fence and grew from there. Unhappy about being separated, friends Anja and Monika send messages via a small locket on Anja's cat. One day, Anja follows the cat and ends up stranded on the wrong side of the wall. Secrecy and danger prevail.
The cons of the book is that it is limited to telling events from a child's point of view, and when Anja is trapped, it becomes very repetitive as she does the same things every day (stay quiet, stay hidden). Monika's stupidity (naïvety), while realistic in some respects, was also grating.
Overall, good, but I think it could have been better.
July 8, 2023
I absolutely adored this book. The diary format worked well, making the story accessible and clear. I remember growing up in Germany and, as a teen, watching the wall fall on television in utter disbelief and with immense hope. Dan Smith is an immensely gifted storyteller and handles this tricky period with sensitivity and care. While we often think of the end of the wall, we very rarely reflect on the ordinary people and the children who watched it rise. Take a bow, Dan Smith. This one is a keeper for me.
July 16, 2023
Wow wow wow, 5++ stars for this! Edge of your seat thriller set in a relatively recent period in history that many children may not know about - they learn about WWII but probably not so much about the Cold War period. Absolutely fascinating and no doubt realistic insight into a city divided and how difficult it would have been to trust anyone at the time. It reminded me of another fantastic YA book - I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys, which is set in 1980s Communist Romania. Would recommend anyone who enjoys this to try that book, although it is aimed at a slightly older readership.
August 7, 2023
This has been sitting patiently on my TBR for quite a while now! I am a quiet lover of history (especially around WW2)… and my god I regret waiting so long to read this! There’s not much fiction set around the building of the Berlin Wall and Dan Smith has written something gripping, terrifying and brilliant. There’s so much paranoia, espionage and friendship in this and lots of it juxtaposes each other at times. I read this in one sitting - it’s that good! This is going STRAIGHT to my classroom library!
June 25, 2023
I consumed this little treasure in one sitting. A glorious piece of history meets YA; characters to root for, an emotional rollercoaster and tackling hard-hitting issues in a way that is both accessible and engaging for young adults.
I've been a fan of Dan Smith's work for a long time - particularly for studying with Year 7s - but I think this is my favourite of his. Looking forward to seeing him speak in September.
I've been a fan of Dan Smith's work for a long time - particularly for studying with Year 7s - but I think this is my favourite of his. Looking forward to seeing him speak in September.
June 1, 2024
A middle grade historical fiction. Berlin 1961. A city has just been split into East and West meaning two cousins living opposite sides of the divide are also separated. This is a story of friendship, family, division and on a simple level the power of propaganda. I thought it was a heavy topic written very well for the age group. I was rooting for Anja, Monika, their cat Otto and their families. The ending was a bit too clean and simple for the complexities of the time though.
January 1, 2025
i picked this book up at a coffee shop the other day. someone had left it behind and ended up reading the entire thing in one sitting. it was such an engaging novel, covering a topic i wasn’t familiar with. i found myself emotionally invested in the story, and it left a lasting impact. the author does a fantastic job of weaving together the characters and their experiences, making you reflect on deeper issues while still keeping the plot gripping. a short but powerful read!
October 4, 2025
There were 200 more pages of this to read tonight, and I read every single one of them with an intense sense of urgency and just…woah. What an ordeal people had to go through during those times!
A really well written (a very varied variety of genres all in one novel) piece of historical fiction that is going straight into the recommendations box on Monday morning. I might have a bit of a hangover after this one!
A really well written (a very varied variety of genres all in one novel) piece of historical fiction that is going straight into the recommendations box on Monday morning. I might have a bit of a hangover after this one!
February 14, 2024
I really enjoyed this book about a subject I didn't know that much about. The characters really brought the story to life with the dual perspectives of the letters and diary entries. There were some very emotional moments, especially towards the end, which, along with the suspense, made me keep reading quickly until I reached the last page.
September 7, 2024
Such a unique and beautiful novel which gave a fantastic perspective of the daily struggles and challenges that life during the building of the Berlin wall brought.
The characters we the perfect mixture of sweet, funny, and heartbreakingly relatable and the ending was just *chef's kiss* despite having me in tears :,)
The characters we the perfect mixture of sweet, funny, and heartbreakingly relatable and the ending was just *chef's kiss* despite having me in tears :,)
September 14, 2024
A thrilling historical adventure that highlights the difficult decisions made by people at the time the Berlin Wall was erected. Right from the start, you know Anja is arrested, but the events that lead up to that keep the reader turning the pages compulsively. A great read.
August 16, 2025
I literally can't find the words to describe this beautifully written book about such important, historical events. it says the recommended reading for was 9-12 year olds I'm 45 and i cried at the end. so pleased don't let the age put you off reading this book. thank you so much @ Dan Smith.
July 4, 2023
I absolutely love Dan Smith. His writing is engaging from start to finish. So informative and compassionate.
December 15, 2023
I enjoyed this book and think it is perfect for fans of Alan Gratz! I will be adding it to our grade school library catalog and reading more Dan Smith.
January 3, 2024
Absolutely fantastic. A perfect balance of history, character and emotion. I will definitely read more by Dan Smith. A quick, easy read but I was hooked to the end. Even brought a tear. Fabulous.
February 2, 2024
Hands down best book I’ve read ❤️❤️❤️
February 5, 2024
A young-adult interesting read about the beginning of the Berlin wall told in the perspectives of 2 12-year old friends separated by the wall.
February 6, 2024
Great read aloud for older kids. A mini history lesson mixed in with a novel. A similar middle grade book, A Night Divided, I liked more. But really liked this one also.
November 29, 2024
Pretty good premise but I think it could have been better. I’ve certainly read better for this topic and age group.
November 29, 2024
Major foreshadowing yet major plot twist at the same time
January 31, 2025
It was such an amazing book. Definitely recommended!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews