Beetle Bunker

The Wall Trilogy #2

by Robert Elmer

Middle-school readers ages 8-12 can experience a story of action and adventure in Beetle Bunker , book 2 in the Wall Trilogy series which presents historically accurate fiction that brings the past to life in a kid-friendly way. In 1961 East Berlin, Sabine discovers a forgotten underground bunker that could possibly take her family under the wall to West Berlin and freedom … if they can find a way to get her across. Beetle Bunker is perfect In Beetle Bunker , Sabine lives in 1960s East Berlin, where neighbors spy on each other, books are forbidden, and people sometimes disappear in the middle of the night … to the west side of the Berlin Wall. When Sabine discovers a forgotten underground bunker, she first uses it to escape her crowded home and comments on her physical disability, then thinks of a new use for the bunker. Could it take her family under the wall to freedom? If you enjoyed Beetle Bunker , be sure to check out the other books in the Wall Trilogy for the entire Candy Bombers and Smuggler’s Treasure

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Childrens

160 pages, Paperback

First published August 27, 2006

About the author

Robert Elmer is the author of more than fifty books, including contemporary novels for the adult Christian audience, nonfiction devotionals like Piercing Heaven and Fount of Heaven (Lexham Press), and seven series for younger readers. Among kids, he is best known for his historicals such as the Young Underground, Adventures Down Under, Life Behind the Wall, and Promise of Zion books. When he's not at the keyboard, he enjoys beachcombing and travel with his wife, and spending time with their three kids and families.

Reviews

[Tarissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Pretend he's not there. And Hitler will go away. Pretend it's not real. And the war will soon be over. Pretend you don't notice. And the wall won't matter so much. Pretend, pretend, pretend. And the Stasi will be nice to us. Well, it never worked that way." (Chapter 13, Beetle Bunker)

Sabine, a girl on crutches with a mind for adventure, lives in Berlin during the Cold War. As troubles of war increase, a Soviet wall is erected, cutting the city in half. Her passageway to freedom is blocked. Her family cannot escape the Iron Fist anymore. Until... Sabine make the discovery of a lifetime. An abandoned bunker with a mysterious Volkswagen inside. Could this become her family's way to freedom?

I learned much about the Cold War from reading Beetle Bunker. The Wall trilogy is awesome! I'd never heard of Freedom Tunnels before, and I didn't know that Hitler had anything to do with the production of the Volkswagen car. But now I do know these things and so many other facts too.

Great series! Can't wait to read book 3 next.

[Hailey Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread. I LOVED Robert Elmer’s books when I was younger, and I was curious to reread this one because I remembered it had a disabled MC. I’d say it was done pretty well.

[Faith Gilliosa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still fun read and good, but think I enjoyed it less than the other two. And yet...necessary for enjoyment of the 3rd, so maybe just think of it as a 2nd act in the book/series as a whole.

[Caleb · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book you will go on a journey to Berlin in 1961. Where a wall divides the city and has guards all around it, not allowing anyone to pass through. There are some people who have tried, some make it out and some do not. You will follow the main characters to see what their life is like and what they plan to do about their situation. I found that this book took a little while to pick up speed, but overall it was a good book to read.

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was as good as the first book in the series, Candy Bombers. Candy Bombers left you wanting more as did Beetle Bunker. Very interesting story to spark an interest in learning more about WW II.