What do you think?
Rate this book
Escape From #2
Escape from East Berlin
A historical thriller, chronicling two daring attempts to cross the Berlin Wall, set decades apart.
December, 1961 - Marta is a young girl who saw thirty miles of barbed wire appear across her city overnight, separating Berlin into West and East — with Marta’s home on the Communist Bloc-controlled eastern side.
--
January, 1989 - Now a spray-painted concrete monolith, the Berlin Wall bisects the city. Kurt, a young East Berliner, often wonders what those living on the other side must think of their unseen neighbors. Do they hate the people of East Germany as completely as Kurt has been instructed to hate them?
--
Inspired by real events.
December, 1961 - Marta is a young girl who saw thirty miles of barbed wire appear across her city overnight, separating Berlin into West and East — with Marta’s home on the Communist Bloc-controlled eastern side.
--
January, 1989 - Now a spray-painted concrete monolith, the Berlin Wall bisects the city. Kurt, a young East Berliner, often wonders what those living on the other side must think of their unseen neighbors. Do they hate the people of East Germany as completely as Kurt has been instructed to hate them?
--
Inspired by real events.
170 pages, Paperback
Published September 6, 2022
55 people are currently reading
721 people want to read
About the author
Andy Marino
31 books251 followersAndy Marino was born in upstate New York, spent half his life in New York City, and now lives in the Hudson Valley. He is the author of seven novels for young readers, most recently THE PLOT TO KILL HITLER trilogy.
THE SEVEN VISITATIONS OF SYDNEY BURGESS is his first novel for adults.
THE SEVEN VISITATIONS OF SYDNEY BURGESS is his first novel for adults.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
June 17, 2025
Communism bad. Western values good. I will not be putting this in my classroom. 2 stars
March 31, 2025
December 1961. Enige tijd geleden was Marta getuige van het feit dat Berlijn in Oost en West verdeeld werden. Kort daarop werd haar broer doodgeschoten, toen hij een poging waagde om de grens over te steken. Dan krijgt Marta een gevaarlijke, maar wel veelbelovende kans aangeboden, maar dat betekent wel dat Marta een onwijs moeilijke keuze moet maken. Is de drang naar vrijheid zo groot dat ze haar dood wil riskeren?
Januari 1989. De Berlijnse muur zorgt voor een tweedeling van de stad. Kurt vraagt zich vaak af, of zijn ouders aan de andere kant van de muur nog weleens aan hem denken. Zijn oudere broer Franz werkt bij de grenspolitie. Wanneer hij op een avond vertelt dat er tijdelijk niet geschoten mag worden, bedenkt Kurt een plan. Hij moet naar het Westen om zijn ouders te vinden. Zelfs als hij zijn broer daarbij moet passeren.
Mijn ervaring:
Geweldig, pakkend, spannend, actievol en bloedstollend. Andy Marino heeft een filmische, levendige en vlotte schrijfstijl en weet een prachtig, heftig en aangrijpend verhaal uit te werken, waarin je helemaal wordt meegezogen.
Het verhaal bestaat uit twee verschillende verhaallijnen die door elkaar heen lopen, waarbij we het verhaal van zowel Marta als Kurt volgen. Zowel de hoofdpersonages, als wel alle andere personages in het verhaal zijn realistisch en met finesse uitgewerkt. Bij de hoofdpersonages weet Andy Marino ontzettend goed de gevoelens, emoties en gedachten van de personages te verwoorden. Hierdoor leef je echt met hen mee en hoop je voor hen beiden op een goed einde.
De verhaallijn kent een mooie opbouw, waarbij de spanning er direct vanaf het eerste moment in zit. Daarbij weet Andy Marino gedurende het verhaal op de perfecte momenten te switchen in de verhaallijnen waardoor je echt aan het boek gekluisterd bent. Andy Marino weet het tijdsbeeld, de sfeer en de hele setting echt zo te beschrijven, dat je er helemaal in wordt meegezogen. Daarbij weet hij ook ontzettend goed het gevoel van 'wie is wel en of niet te vertrouwen', over te brengen. Tot aan het einde zat ik op het puntje van je stoel, waarbij hij met een mooi epiloog het verhaal uiteindelijk wist af te sluiten.
Ontsnapping uit Oost-Berlijn is een filmische, bloedstollende en pakkende young adult. Andy Marino weet de sfeer, het tijdsbeeld en de personages erg filmisch en indrukwekkend te beschrijven. Hierdoor ga je helemaal mee in het heftige verhaal en zit je echt op het puntje van je stoel. Erg indrukwekkend en pakkend. Met een mooi epiloog wordt het verhaal afgesloten.
Januari 1989. De Berlijnse muur zorgt voor een tweedeling van de stad. Kurt vraagt zich vaak af, of zijn ouders aan de andere kant van de muur nog weleens aan hem denken. Zijn oudere broer Franz werkt bij de grenspolitie. Wanneer hij op een avond vertelt dat er tijdelijk niet geschoten mag worden, bedenkt Kurt een plan. Hij moet naar het Westen om zijn ouders te vinden. Zelfs als hij zijn broer daarbij moet passeren.
Mijn ervaring:
Geweldig, pakkend, spannend, actievol en bloedstollend. Andy Marino heeft een filmische, levendige en vlotte schrijfstijl en weet een prachtig, heftig en aangrijpend verhaal uit te werken, waarin je helemaal wordt meegezogen.
Het verhaal bestaat uit twee verschillende verhaallijnen die door elkaar heen lopen, waarbij we het verhaal van zowel Marta als Kurt volgen. Zowel de hoofdpersonages, als wel alle andere personages in het verhaal zijn realistisch en met finesse uitgewerkt. Bij de hoofdpersonages weet Andy Marino ontzettend goed de gevoelens, emoties en gedachten van de personages te verwoorden. Hierdoor leef je echt met hen mee en hoop je voor hen beiden op een goed einde.
De verhaallijn kent een mooie opbouw, waarbij de spanning er direct vanaf het eerste moment in zit. Daarbij weet Andy Marino gedurende het verhaal op de perfecte momenten te switchen in de verhaallijnen waardoor je echt aan het boek gekluisterd bent. Andy Marino weet het tijdsbeeld, de sfeer en de hele setting echt zo te beschrijven, dat je er helemaal in wordt meegezogen. Daarbij weet hij ook ontzettend goed het gevoel van 'wie is wel en of niet te vertrouwen', over te brengen. Tot aan het einde zat ik op het puntje van je stoel, waarbij hij met een mooi epiloog het verhaal uiteindelijk wist af te sluiten.
Ontsnapping uit Oost-Berlijn is een filmische, bloedstollende en pakkende young adult. Andy Marino weet de sfeer, het tijdsbeeld en de personages erg filmisch en indrukwekkend te beschrijven. Hierdoor ga je helemaal mee in het heftige verhaal en zit je echt op het puntje van je stoel. Erg indrukwekkend en pakkend. Met een mooi epiloog wordt het verhaal afgesloten.
June 26, 2023
“There is nothing worse than being an informer. But is it okay when you’re trying to save your family?”
“You won’t win a chess game against the Stasi. We own all the boards, and all the pieces, and we move them whether or not it’s our turn.”
“I don’t believe they will ever accept this wall.”
This was a really good historical middle grade novel about the Berlin Wall, the wall that separated socialist East Berlin from capitalist West Berlin. My 10-year old son wanted to read this book and asked me if I could read it first, to which I did gladly. I really enjoyed the dual timeline with its characters: 1961 with Marta and her family, still reeling from the death of her brother, Stefan, who tried to swim across to West Berlin; and 1989 with Kurt, whose parents live in West Berlin while he lives with his brother in East Berlin. Both characters and timelines have characters that want to leave East Berlin for a chance at a better life. I liked how it showed the paranoia of East Berliners due to the fact that the Stasi police was bugging the homes of its citizens as well as the many informers that would turn its own people in. It brought a scary realism to the story as you tried to picture yourself in that situation. I also liked how author Andy Marino used Lothar Mueller in both timelines. And though I had heard of the Berlin Wall and it’s ultimate removal, it was a surface knowledge and this book gave me insights I never had. My only complaint is that I wish the ending was a little more fleshed out; another 10-20 pages of the timelines coming together or even a little bit of their own timeline before bringing the timelines together would have made for an even more cohesive story. But I definitely liked it and I think my son will too.
“You won’t win a chess game against the Stasi. We own all the boards, and all the pieces, and we move them whether or not it’s our turn.”
“I don’t believe they will ever accept this wall.”
This was a really good historical middle grade novel about the Berlin Wall, the wall that separated socialist East Berlin from capitalist West Berlin. My 10-year old son wanted to read this book and asked me if I could read it first, to which I did gladly. I really enjoyed the dual timeline with its characters: 1961 with Marta and her family, still reeling from the death of her brother, Stefan, who tried to swim across to West Berlin; and 1989 with Kurt, whose parents live in West Berlin while he lives with his brother in East Berlin. Both characters and timelines have characters that want to leave East Berlin for a chance at a better life. I liked how it showed the paranoia of East Berliners due to the fact that the Stasi police was bugging the homes of its citizens as well as the many informers that would turn its own people in. It brought a scary realism to the story as you tried to picture yourself in that situation. I also liked how author Andy Marino used Lothar Mueller in both timelines. And though I had heard of the Berlin Wall and it’s ultimate removal, it was a surface knowledge and this book gave me insights I never had. My only complaint is that I wish the ending was a little more fleshed out; another 10-20 pages of the timelines coming together or even a little bit of their own timeline before bringing the timelines together would have made for an even more cohesive story. But I definitely liked it and I think my son will too.
July 2, 2023
I’d give this book a 3.5. It gives young readers a glimpse of life in East Berlin at the beginning and end of the Berlin Wall. What it doesn’t do is really explain why it went up and how it ended. However, the author does give resources at the end that do go into more depth.
July 9, 2025
For me I’m not a huge fan of two stories coming together. I personally like one full out story. I didn’t get a lot of descriptive characteristics of the characters. I didn’t know what they look like. But I can understand why people like it because Kurt ‘s grandfather was a character in Marta’s story. I also didn’t understand some of the code words Marta used when she was on the phone. Overall a classic historical fiction for East Berlin :)
November 10, 2023
Originally got this for my son/daughter in middle school to help them while learning about WWII and the issues revolving Germany.
Was a simple read with challenging vocabulary for the age range it was intended for.
Was a simple read with challenging vocabulary for the age range it was intended for.
Read
March 23, 2024I really need to update this more finished this book like 4 days ago but it's a good history book
September 19, 2024
I thought this book over explained everything and was verry hard to follow.
August 28, 2022
You are stuck in East Berlin. How do you make it past the wall and other barriers that are put up to keep you in? Perhaps you will try to swim across the river that lies between the two sides. Or you could take a train by sneaking into a deserted underground station. Then there is the option of teaching yourself to climb over using a grappling hook. These are all methods used in this book to attempt to cross over into West Berlin. Some are successful, but many are not and often the escapee is shot on sight. The Stasi tactics and schemes illustrated in this work of fiction are chilling. With family and friends jumping at the chance to help their government. Andy Marino gives us a snapshot of what it was like shortly after the wall was put in place and also shortly before and immediately after the wall starts to come down. There but for the grace of God. . .
Thank you to Scholastic and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Scholastic and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
January 2, 2023
After Marta's brother is killed trying to cross the new border between East and West Germany, she finds it hard to make it through each day. That is until she is brought in on her cousin's plan to escape with their whole family. But can she evade notice, when her family is under heavy surveillance after her brother's death? She knows the man with the candy cane who has been following her is Stasi. Is he onto their plan?
Two decades later Kurt, the grandson of a celebrated Stasi agent wants to get out of East Berlin. His parents are now in West Germany, and he'd much rather be with them than with his older brother obsessed with following in their grandfather's footsteps.
One night will impact the futures of both Marta and Kurt.
It took me a little while to get into this, but once I realized Marino was somehow going to tie the two stories from 1961 and 1989 together, I was hooked and devoured 3/4 of it in one go (which isn't hard, it isn't very long). Definitely read the author's note about real stories that inspired some of the elements in this book. I now have some more nonfiction books on East Germany I want to read from his list of recommendations. This rides the line between middle grade and young adult in the ages of the protagonists and the type of content. It says middle grade on the back but some parts feel much more YA (like the intro).
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. Marta's brother's death is described in detail. Other deaths of people trying to cross the border are mentioned. Threats of violence and psychological intimidation are employed by East German authorities.
Two decades later Kurt, the grandson of a celebrated Stasi agent wants to get out of East Berlin. His parents are now in West Germany, and he'd much rather be with them than with his older brother obsessed with following in their grandfather's footsteps.
One night will impact the futures of both Marta and Kurt.
It took me a little while to get into this, but once I realized Marino was somehow going to tie the two stories from 1961 and 1989 together, I was hooked and devoured 3/4 of it in one go (which isn't hard, it isn't very long). Definitely read the author's note about real stories that inspired some of the elements in this book. I now have some more nonfiction books on East Germany I want to read from his list of recommendations. This rides the line between middle grade and young adult in the ages of the protagonists and the type of content. It says middle grade on the back but some parts feel much more YA (like the intro).
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. Marta's brother's death is described in detail. Other deaths of people trying to cross the border are mentioned. Threats of violence and psychological intimidation are employed by East German authorities.
March 5, 2023
A great option for reluctant readers to access a piece of history. Since the book is so short, it is a good option for students who don't possess reading stamina (or are just beginning to read middle grades books) but the shorter length also left something to be desired in the details department. I also felt like the ending was lacking, and I was hoping for more connection between the two main characters. I think the Berlin Wall is fascinating and engages readers of all ages. Gaining perspectives of two young adults, one at the beginning of the wall and one at the end, was unique. I prefer when each chapter alternates perspective rather than after a chunk of chapters because I find it harder to keep the characters and events straight, especially if I read the book over a week rather than a couple of days. While I enjoyed the book, I guess I was hoping for more, although there's only so much that can be said in 160-some pages. Definitely some pros and cons with this one. It just depends on your purpose for reading.
July 18, 2025
Recensie is oorspronkelijk gepubliceerd in de Boekenkrant
Spannend en leerzaam tegelijk:
Ontsnapping uit Oost-Berlijn start met een spannend proloog waarin heel snel duidelijk wordt dat het leven vroeger in Oost-Berlijn gevaarlijk kan zijn. Wanneer een paar jongens de Berlijnse muur te slim af proberen te zijn gaat het helemaal mis. Een jongen die droomt van de Olympische Spelen wordt doodgeschoten.
1961 en 1989
Dit verhaal bevat twee tijdlijnen. Je leest over het leven van Marta in 1961 en over dat van Kurt in 1989. Beide hoofdpersonages wonen in Oost-Berlijn waar ze eigenlijk niet gelukkig zijn en zich ook regelmatig afvragen waarom het leven zoals zij het kennen zo verloopt. Schrijver Andy Marino weet de schrijnende sfeer in het boek goed vast te leggen, een goed voorbeeld hiervan is wanneer Marta een metafoor over de Berlijnse muur van haar moeder hoort:
“‘In de ogen van de eenheidspartij,’ legt haar moeder uit, ‘zijn wij het bloed van Oost-Duitsland. De burgers. Wij zijn tenslotte de arbeiders en die vormen de motor van alles. In die zin is iedereen die vertrekt een kleine aderlating, een stroompje bloed dat wegvloeit uit het lichaam van de staat. De muur was bedoeld als verband tegen het leegbloeden, maar in plaats daarvan is het meer een wond aan het worden. Een grote schram die dwars door de stad loopt, een snee in het weefsel van het Oosten.’ Ze knikt naar het krijtbord. ‘En de wond raakt geïnfecteerd.’”
Verraden of meewerken
Marta komt in een lastige situatie terecht. Eén van haar neven maakt plannen om te ontsnappen uit Oost-Berlijn en Marta raakt hier per ongeluk bij betrokken. Hoewel ze ongelukkig is in Oost-Berlijn, is het voor Marta toch lastig om mee te werken aan een ontsnapping. Ze wil haar ouders niet achterlaten en wil ze al helemaal niet verraden. Ze wordt voor een lastige keuze gezet: haar neef verraden of meewerken aan een ontsnapping naar West-Berlijn.
Kleinzoon van een belangrijk Stasi-agent
In 1989 is Kurt’s leven ook niet gemakkelijk. Zijn opa is één van de belangrijkste Stasi-agenten en zijn grote broer is grenswachter in Oost-Berlijn. Beide mannen in Kurt’s leven zijn trotse mannen. Zij zijn een goed voorbeeld van hoe Kurt kan zijn, denken zij. Kurt denkt daar echter heel anders over en is het niet eens met de omstandigheden in Oost-Berlijn. Dromen over West-Berlijn heeft hij allang achter zich gelaten. Maar dan krijgt hij ineens hulp uit onverwachte hoek, iemand kan hem helpen om te vluchten naar West-Berlijn. Kurt begint te twijfelen, zijn de risico’s het waard en durft hij te ontsnappen?
Avontuurlijk
Ontsnapping uit Oost-Berlijn is een los te lezen boek van de ‘Escape’ reeks. Kenmerkend is dat de boeken avontuurlijk en daardoor vermakelijk zijn voor kinderen. Marino heeft een goede dosis spanning verwerkt in het verhaal waardoor je continue geprikkeld wordt om door te lezen. Dat het avontuurlijk en spannend is, is niet het enige. Ontsnapping uit Oost-Berlijn is namelijk ook erg leerzaam. Marino geeft een duidelijk beeld van de omstandigheden destijds en gebruikt begrippen die daarbij passen. Achterin het boek vind je een begrippenlijst, zodat de jonge lezer het woord op kan zoeken en leert wat het betekent. Ontsnapping uit Oost-Berlijn is een boek dat zeer geschikt is om te gebruiken bij geschiedenislessen over de Berlijnse muur doordat het boek interessant en vermakelijk tegelijkertijd is.
Spannend en leerzaam tegelijk:
Ontsnapping uit Oost-Berlijn start met een spannend proloog waarin heel snel duidelijk wordt dat het leven vroeger in Oost-Berlijn gevaarlijk kan zijn. Wanneer een paar jongens de Berlijnse muur te slim af proberen te zijn gaat het helemaal mis. Een jongen die droomt van de Olympische Spelen wordt doodgeschoten.
1961 en 1989
Dit verhaal bevat twee tijdlijnen. Je leest over het leven van Marta in 1961 en over dat van Kurt in 1989. Beide hoofdpersonages wonen in Oost-Berlijn waar ze eigenlijk niet gelukkig zijn en zich ook regelmatig afvragen waarom het leven zoals zij het kennen zo verloopt. Schrijver Andy Marino weet de schrijnende sfeer in het boek goed vast te leggen, een goed voorbeeld hiervan is wanneer Marta een metafoor over de Berlijnse muur van haar moeder hoort:
“‘In de ogen van de eenheidspartij,’ legt haar moeder uit, ‘zijn wij het bloed van Oost-Duitsland. De burgers. Wij zijn tenslotte de arbeiders en die vormen de motor van alles. In die zin is iedereen die vertrekt een kleine aderlating, een stroompje bloed dat wegvloeit uit het lichaam van de staat. De muur was bedoeld als verband tegen het leegbloeden, maar in plaats daarvan is het meer een wond aan het worden. Een grote schram die dwars door de stad loopt, een snee in het weefsel van het Oosten.’ Ze knikt naar het krijtbord. ‘En de wond raakt geïnfecteerd.’”
Verraden of meewerken
Marta komt in een lastige situatie terecht. Eén van haar neven maakt plannen om te ontsnappen uit Oost-Berlijn en Marta raakt hier per ongeluk bij betrokken. Hoewel ze ongelukkig is in Oost-Berlijn, is het voor Marta toch lastig om mee te werken aan een ontsnapping. Ze wil haar ouders niet achterlaten en wil ze al helemaal niet verraden. Ze wordt voor een lastige keuze gezet: haar neef verraden of meewerken aan een ontsnapping naar West-Berlijn.
Kleinzoon van een belangrijk Stasi-agent
In 1989 is Kurt’s leven ook niet gemakkelijk. Zijn opa is één van de belangrijkste Stasi-agenten en zijn grote broer is grenswachter in Oost-Berlijn. Beide mannen in Kurt’s leven zijn trotse mannen. Zij zijn een goed voorbeeld van hoe Kurt kan zijn, denken zij. Kurt denkt daar echter heel anders over en is het niet eens met de omstandigheden in Oost-Berlijn. Dromen over West-Berlijn heeft hij allang achter zich gelaten. Maar dan krijgt hij ineens hulp uit onverwachte hoek, iemand kan hem helpen om te vluchten naar West-Berlijn. Kurt begint te twijfelen, zijn de risico’s het waard en durft hij te ontsnappen?
Avontuurlijk
Ontsnapping uit Oost-Berlijn is een los te lezen boek van de ‘Escape’ reeks. Kenmerkend is dat de boeken avontuurlijk en daardoor vermakelijk zijn voor kinderen. Marino heeft een goede dosis spanning verwerkt in het verhaal waardoor je continue geprikkeld wordt om door te lezen. Dat het avontuurlijk en spannend is, is niet het enige. Ontsnapping uit Oost-Berlijn is namelijk ook erg leerzaam. Marino geeft een duidelijk beeld van de omstandigheden destijds en gebruikt begrippen die daarbij passen. Achterin het boek vind je een begrippenlijst, zodat de jonge lezer het woord op kan zoeken en leert wat het betekent. Ontsnapping uit Oost-Berlijn is een boek dat zeer geschikt is om te gebruiken bij geschiedenislessen over de Berlijnse muur doordat het boek interessant en vermakelijk tegelijkertijd is.
March 28, 2023
1961 - Two teenage boys are excited. They creep through the night after conjuring a plan to see two girls. This plan however is playing out in East Germany where a wall of vicious wire and border guards are present to prevent them from achieving their goal. These boys are excellent swimmers, and after scoping out their path of least discovery they find a place that will help hide them as they cross the harbour.
East Germany. A strict regime of Socialism, demanding loyalty of its population. This loyalty is strong in many, making them watchful and wary of traitors among them. Even if they are just two teenage boys wanting to see their girlfriends. They pay the price in their trust of others around them.
Marta knows all about distrust. She is the sister of one of these teens and hates the lies told in the local newspapers, labelling her older brother a Western spy. Her family has been rocked to its core with the loss of her brother and she is struggling to find her balance without him. Until she hears of another escape plan.
Trust is the key again, and with informers everywhere, ready to turn in their neighbours for nothing but the power they feel over others, Marta doesn't know who to believe in. Conversations are dangerous wherever she goes, especially after hearing adults who claim to be friends also claim they don't trust each other either. Who is telling the truth?
Tension rises within her at the knowledge the Stasi are watching her. This comes from a Stasi officer himself, following her, threatening her family. Do they know something she doesn't? Finally, she knows she must place her trust in someone if she is ever going to save herself and her parents.
1989 - The wall still stands between West and East Germany. The difference between both sides of Berlin is even more noticeable. East Berlin is in a state of disrepair but the West is moving forward with the rest of the world.
When Kurt's own parents were deemed traitors by East Germany, they were to be executed. Luckily his grandfather, high up in the Stasi prevented this, but Kurt never saw them again. His older brother Franz is a soldier working for the Stasi and keen to follow in his grandfather's footsteps. Kurt begins to hate Franz as he revels in the shooting of normal people trying to escape. Speaking their parent's name in their own home is also banned. When a chance to join his parents in West Germany is dropped in his lap, he wonders if it's a trick. Is Franz testing him somehow?
This story of the Berlin Wall is a gripping one. I was taken back to a time when a country is sliced in half overnight by miles of razor wire in a warped attempt to prevent the West's capitalism to spread throughout Germany. Border checkpoints are ruled with an iron fist, and anyone trying to escape are shot, no matter their age.
The tension of living in East Germany and not being able to trust anyone - even your own family members, builds throughout the novel, and the two time zones of 1961 and 1989 are cleverly interwoven with a surprising twist.
Anyone who enjoys Alan Gratz novels will enjoy this well researched and engaging read of a troubling time in our history. Thankfully it culminates in a barrier cutting families and futures apart, finally being torn down.
Age - 10+
East Germany. A strict regime of Socialism, demanding loyalty of its population. This loyalty is strong in many, making them watchful and wary of traitors among them. Even if they are just two teenage boys wanting to see their girlfriends. They pay the price in their trust of others around them.
Marta knows all about distrust. She is the sister of one of these teens and hates the lies told in the local newspapers, labelling her older brother a Western spy. Her family has been rocked to its core with the loss of her brother and she is struggling to find her balance without him. Until she hears of another escape plan.
Trust is the key again, and with informers everywhere, ready to turn in their neighbours for nothing but the power they feel over others, Marta doesn't know who to believe in. Conversations are dangerous wherever she goes, especially after hearing adults who claim to be friends also claim they don't trust each other either. Who is telling the truth?
Tension rises within her at the knowledge the Stasi are watching her. This comes from a Stasi officer himself, following her, threatening her family. Do they know something she doesn't? Finally, she knows she must place her trust in someone if she is ever going to save herself and her parents.
1989 - The wall still stands between West and East Germany. The difference between both sides of Berlin is even more noticeable. East Berlin is in a state of disrepair but the West is moving forward with the rest of the world.
When Kurt's own parents were deemed traitors by East Germany, they were to be executed. Luckily his grandfather, high up in the Stasi prevented this, but Kurt never saw them again. His older brother Franz is a soldier working for the Stasi and keen to follow in his grandfather's footsteps. Kurt begins to hate Franz as he revels in the shooting of normal people trying to escape. Speaking their parent's name in their own home is also banned. When a chance to join his parents in West Germany is dropped in his lap, he wonders if it's a trick. Is Franz testing him somehow?
This story of the Berlin Wall is a gripping one. I was taken back to a time when a country is sliced in half overnight by miles of razor wire in a warped attempt to prevent the West's capitalism to spread throughout Germany. Border checkpoints are ruled with an iron fist, and anyone trying to escape are shot, no matter their age.
The tension of living in East Germany and not being able to trust anyone - even your own family members, builds throughout the novel, and the two time zones of 1961 and 1989 are cleverly interwoven with a surprising twist.
Anyone who enjoys Alan Gratz novels will enjoy this well researched and engaging read of a troubling time in our history. Thankfully it culminates in a barrier cutting families and futures apart, finally being torn down.
Age - 10+
April 13, 2025
Veronique las 'Ontsnapping uit Oost-Berlijn', het tweede deel in de Escape-serie, geschreven door Andy Marino.
Haar mening lees je hieronder. ⬇️
Het is december 1961. Berlijn is net verdeeld in Oost en West-Berlijn. Maar het is nog korter geleden dat haar broer is doodgeschoten op het moment dat hij probeerde de grens tussen Oost en West over te steken. Dan krijgt Marta een gevaarlijke kans, maar dit is ook meteen de moeilijkste keuze ooit.
Het is januari 1989. De Berlijnse muur splitst de stad nog steeds in tweeën. De jonge Kurt woont met zijn oudere broer Franz samen in het oosten. Zijn ouders zijn naar het westen verbannen. Kurt vraagt zich regelmatig af of zijn ouders nog wel eens aan hem denken. Als Franz, werkzaam bij de grenspolitie, vertelt dat er tijdelijk niet geschoten mag worden bij de muur, bedenkt Kurt een plan. Kan hij naar het westen zodat hij zijn ouders kan zien?
Het verhaal begint met een spannende proloog. Hierdoor wilde ik meteen snel doorlezen.
Het boek kent twee verhaallijnen. Aan de ene kant de verhaallijn van Marta die zich in 1961 afspeelt en de andere verhaallijn speelt zich af in 1989 en hierin heeft Kurt een belangrijke rol. De verhaallijnen worden afwisselend vertelt en Andy Marino weet beide verhaallijnen boeiend neer te zetten. De personages zijn voldoende diep uitgewerkt waardoor ik me goed in de personages kon inleven. Ze zijn realistisch neergezet en ik merkte dat Andy Marino zich echt in de beide periode ingelezen heeft.
Een van de thema's die Marino goed heeft weten neer te zetten is vertrouwen. Wie is wel te vertrouwen en hoe goed ken je iemand echt. Marino weet het verhaal tot het einde spannend te houden. Hij laat beide verhaallijnen mooi afsluiten door de epiloog.
Marino heeft een beeldende en pakkende schrijfstijl waardoor ik de scènes echt voor me zag. Ik denk dat dit verhaal ook jongeren een goed beeld geeft van de geschiedenis van Oost en West Berlijn en de gebeurtenissen. Wel was het wellicht fijn geweest voor jongeren als er ook aandacht besteed was aan waarom de muur er kwam en uiteindelijk ook weer afgebroken werd, maar ik kan begrijpen waarom Marino dit niet gedaan heeft.
Dit boek ontvingen wij van Kluitman. Dit beïnvloedt onze mening niet.
Haar mening lees je hieronder. ⬇️
Het is december 1961. Berlijn is net verdeeld in Oost en West-Berlijn. Maar het is nog korter geleden dat haar broer is doodgeschoten op het moment dat hij probeerde de grens tussen Oost en West over te steken. Dan krijgt Marta een gevaarlijke kans, maar dit is ook meteen de moeilijkste keuze ooit.
Het is januari 1989. De Berlijnse muur splitst de stad nog steeds in tweeën. De jonge Kurt woont met zijn oudere broer Franz samen in het oosten. Zijn ouders zijn naar het westen verbannen. Kurt vraagt zich regelmatig af of zijn ouders nog wel eens aan hem denken. Als Franz, werkzaam bij de grenspolitie, vertelt dat er tijdelijk niet geschoten mag worden bij de muur, bedenkt Kurt een plan. Kan hij naar het westen zodat hij zijn ouders kan zien?
Het verhaal begint met een spannende proloog. Hierdoor wilde ik meteen snel doorlezen.
Het boek kent twee verhaallijnen. Aan de ene kant de verhaallijn van Marta die zich in 1961 afspeelt en de andere verhaallijn speelt zich af in 1989 en hierin heeft Kurt een belangrijke rol. De verhaallijnen worden afwisselend vertelt en Andy Marino weet beide verhaallijnen boeiend neer te zetten. De personages zijn voldoende diep uitgewerkt waardoor ik me goed in de personages kon inleven. Ze zijn realistisch neergezet en ik merkte dat Andy Marino zich echt in de beide periode ingelezen heeft.
Een van de thema's die Marino goed heeft weten neer te zetten is vertrouwen. Wie is wel te vertrouwen en hoe goed ken je iemand echt. Marino weet het verhaal tot het einde spannend te houden. Hij laat beide verhaallijnen mooi afsluiten door de epiloog.
Marino heeft een beeldende en pakkende schrijfstijl waardoor ik de scènes echt voor me zag. Ik denk dat dit verhaal ook jongeren een goed beeld geeft van de geschiedenis van Oost en West Berlijn en de gebeurtenissen. Wel was het wellicht fijn geweest voor jongeren als er ook aandacht besteed was aan waarom de muur er kwam en uiteindelijk ook weer afgebroken werd, maar ik kan begrijpen waarom Marino dit niet gedaan heeft.
Dit boek ontvingen wij van Kluitman. Dit beïnvloedt onze mening niet.
March 1, 2024
I really liked the book 'A Night Divided' and the description of this book seemed similar. I was not disappointed. Both books conveyed that crossing the Berlin Wall was akin to escaping from a maximum security prison.
This book is about two border crossings from East Berlin to West Berlin: one - shortly after the Berlin Wall came up, and the other shortly before it came down. (The wall lasted from August 13, 1961 to November 9, 1989. The escapes in this book took place in December 1961 and January 1989.) The 1961 escape is about a 12 year old girl and her family. The 1989 escape is about a boy of unspecified age, presumably about the same age. It's interesting to put into perspective that a few months before the first escape, or a few months after the last escape, people could freely travel back and forth.
Back in 1989, I remember everyone making a big deal about the Berlin Wall coming down. It's an event of worldwide significance. The epilogue does not detail the coming down of the Berlin Wall, but it does mention that the wall came down. Since the book touched on the beginning and the end, I wished the book would say more about the characters before the wall came up and when the wall came down.
Regarding the time before the wall came up, I found this quote interesting of a Stasi agent's perspective of why the wall was needed: "For thirteen years...we allowed Western corruption to move freely back and forth across our weak and porous border. And all the while... advocated for a stronger...real barrier, to keep out the insidious creep of capitalism and greed." (Page 49).
Here are some of the book's typos:
"The second youngest, a shirtless boy of six..." (P. 28, This should say the second oldest, having described two kids younger than six and one older.)
"...they might be still be angry, but they will have to admit that it was worth it." (P. 88, duplicated be)
"He can only a hope a ladder is one of those things." (P. 157, duplicated a)
This book is about two border crossings from East Berlin to West Berlin: one - shortly after the Berlin Wall came up, and the other shortly before it came down. (The wall lasted from August 13, 1961 to November 9, 1989. The escapes in this book took place in December 1961 and January 1989.) The 1961 escape is about a 12 year old girl and her family. The 1989 escape is about a boy of unspecified age, presumably about the same age. It's interesting to put into perspective that a few months before the first escape, or a few months after the last escape, people could freely travel back and forth.
Back in 1989, I remember everyone making a big deal about the Berlin Wall coming down. It's an event of worldwide significance. The epilogue does not detail the coming down of the Berlin Wall, but it does mention that the wall came down. Since the book touched on the beginning and the end, I wished the book would say more about the characters before the wall came up and when the wall came down.
Regarding the time before the wall came up, I found this quote interesting of a Stasi agent's perspective of why the wall was needed: "For thirteen years...we allowed Western corruption to move freely back and forth across our weak and porous border. And all the while... advocated for a stronger...real barrier, to keep out the insidious creep of capitalism and greed." (Page 49).
Here are some of the book's typos:
"The second youngest, a shirtless boy of six..." (P. 28, This should say the second oldest, having described two kids younger than six and one older.)
"...they might be still be angry, but they will have to admit that it was worth it." (P. 88, duplicated be)
"He can only a hope a ladder is one of those things." (P. 157, duplicated a)
October 23, 2025
Summary
In Berlin there was thirty miles of barbed wire that appeared overnight that separated Berlin into two sides. A bunch of stuff goes on with his family and he starts to think that he wants to escape the fence. The protagonist starts to make a plan to make it to the other side of the fence to find his parents. His plan works and he runs through to the fence dodging bullets that the guards were shooting. The antagonists are shooting and trying to take him down so he doesn't escape. He nearly escapes and once he makes it across he finds his parents.
Connection
The characters in this book relate with me because whenever I get nervous or dont know what to do I go to my parents and want to be able to talk to them. The protagonist wants to make it through the fence to get to his parents. He is scared so he wants to find his parents. He loves his parents and wants to sacrifice his life basically to get to his parents. I would do the same to get to my parents because my parents are really important to me.
Likes/ dislikes
I really liked the plot of the story and I thought it had a good exposition. Something I didn't like much was I felt like it was a little hard to understand what was going on and what was happening throughout the story. The story was man vs society because he is trying to escape the fence that the society decided to put up. I like this because I felt he was trying to fight to escape and it added more conflict throughout the story. I liked how the author ended the story because it talks about how he is dodging bullets and I feel like this creates more of an action scene.
In Berlin there was thirty miles of barbed wire that appeared overnight that separated Berlin into two sides. A bunch of stuff goes on with his family and he starts to think that he wants to escape the fence. The protagonist starts to make a plan to make it to the other side of the fence to find his parents. His plan works and he runs through to the fence dodging bullets that the guards were shooting. The antagonists are shooting and trying to take him down so he doesn't escape. He nearly escapes and once he makes it across he finds his parents.
Connection
The characters in this book relate with me because whenever I get nervous or dont know what to do I go to my parents and want to be able to talk to them. The protagonist wants to make it through the fence to get to his parents. He is scared so he wants to find his parents. He loves his parents and wants to sacrifice his life basically to get to his parents. I would do the same to get to my parents because my parents are really important to me.
Likes/ dislikes
I really liked the plot of the story and I thought it had a good exposition. Something I didn't like much was I felt like it was a little hard to understand what was going on and what was happening throughout the story. The story was man vs society because he is trying to escape the fence that the society decided to put up. I like this because I felt he was trying to fight to escape and it added more conflict throughout the story. I liked how the author ended the story because it talks about how he is dodging bullets and I feel like this creates more of an action scene.
July 20, 2025
The story is told from two different time periods. The first part of the story is set in Berlin three months after the Berlin Wall has gone up. We meet two young men who are planning to swim the river to the west side to meet up with two girls. Unfortunately someone has informed on them and they are shot at. One is killed the other imprisoned. Two months later we meet the dead boy’s sister Marta. She hates those who shot her brother. It has pretty much destroyed her family. She knows they are constantly watched by the Stasi. When she overhears her cousin planning to escape to the West side things are set in motion.
The second story is set in 1989. We meet Kurt Muller. His brother is a border guard and his grandfather is a high ranking official in the Stasi. Kurt’s parents were arrested and the grandfather arranged for them to be sent to the West. Both of their stories are held together with the grandfather in common.
This story shows just a small part of what it was like to live on the East side of the Berlin Wall and want the freedom of the West. The book is full of fear, hope and dreams. There was a lot of research done in this book. At the end the author gives us the names of books he used to research for the writing of this book. Several of them I have already read. This is a quick read, but one you will want to slow down as you read.
The second story is set in 1989. We meet Kurt Muller. His brother is a border guard and his grandfather is a high ranking official in the Stasi. Kurt’s parents were arrested and the grandfather arranged for them to be sent to the West. Both of their stories are held together with the grandfather in common.
This story shows just a small part of what it was like to live on the East side of the Berlin Wall and want the freedom of the West. The book is full of fear, hope and dreams. There was a lot of research done in this book. At the end the author gives us the names of books he used to research for the writing of this book. Several of them I have already read. This is a quick read, but one you will want to slow down as you read.
December 30, 2024
As I've been reading through what was once my classroom library, I've encountered many different authors of YA novels that intrigue me as an adult. Marino's "Escape From East Berlin" was no exception.
I haven't always been a fan of books that have multiple stories across different time periods or multiple perspectives, but I've warmed up to them, and Marino continued that trend for me here. The main reason for 4/5 stars is that I felt the ending of both stories was a bit rushed. A few more pages for each story, particularly the 1961 period, could have added so much for detail and enjoyment for the audience. The merging of the two stories was done simply in the epilogue, though some more story here could have fleshed out a more satisfying ending for both protagonists as well. Overall, a very enjoyable read!
I haven't always been a fan of books that have multiple stories across different time periods or multiple perspectives, but I've warmed up to them, and Marino continued that trend for me here. The main reason for 4/5 stars is that I felt the ending of both stories was a bit rushed. A few more pages for each story, particularly the 1961 period, could have added so much for detail and enjoyment for the audience. The merging of the two stories was done simply in the epilogue, though some more story here could have fleshed out a more satisfying ending for both protagonists as well. Overall, a very enjoyable read!
June 16, 2025
I read this with my 10 year old son and healed it a 2.5-3. He reads at a 9th grade level yet he had a hard time following. For background, he had a rough idea about the Berlin Wall from school but they didn’t cover a lot and he wanted to learn more. With so many characters, maybe a couple family trees in the front or back would help for this reading age group. Also, a brief, concise explanation of why and how the wall went up in the Germans’ POV would have helped him. Finally, an explanation of why it finally came down would have helped him with the ending. The ending was very abrupt and he was just left with questions. If anything it makes him ant to learn more I guess.
He wanted to read this after the author’s Alcatraz book- which he enjoyed a lot more. We aren’t sure if we should try the Chernobyl one.
He wanted to read this after the author’s Alcatraz book- which he enjoyed a lot more. We aren’t sure if we should try the Chernobyl one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 14, 2022
Very well-written book for middle schoolers. I like how Marino tied in two different stories, one from the beginning days of the Berlin Wall and one from just before it came down. He based the early escape on a true story, as he mentions in the author’s note at the end. This was a realistic view of life in East Berlin, with suspicion and betrayal and the government watching and listening to everything. It’s a good way to present the facts to middle schoolers, and is written at an appropriate level for that age group. My 7th-grade daughter enjoyed it, and my 5th grader will read it next. I recommend it for the age group listed. (Adults too!)
April 19, 2023
A very interesting take on the Berlin Wall and it’s impact on those living in East Berlin.
Set in two timeframes, Marino has captured the experiences of those trying to reach the ones they loved when the wall was first built and those doing the same many years later. The triumphs, sadness, rebellion, brainwashing, trust building and trust breaking that occurred during these times has been handled appropriately and in a way that is very engaging. He has also captured the evil that ran through the leadership of East Berlin during this time, portraying characters that were very easy to dislike for the actions they committed.
I would have loved to have read more about Marta and Kurt’s experiences between reaching West Berlin and meeting on the day the wall was torn down. But maybe that’s another story waiting to be written?
Definitely recommend for lovers of historical fiction, multiple perspectives and for the most part, happy endings!
Set in two timeframes, Marino has captured the experiences of those trying to reach the ones they loved when the wall was first built and those doing the same many years later. The triumphs, sadness, rebellion, brainwashing, trust building and trust breaking that occurred during these times has been handled appropriately and in a way that is very engaging. He has also captured the evil that ran through the leadership of East Berlin during this time, portraying characters that were very easy to dislike for the actions they committed.
I would have loved to have read more about Marta and Kurt’s experiences between reaching West Berlin and meeting on the day the wall was torn down. But maybe that’s another story waiting to be written?
Definitely recommend for lovers of historical fiction, multiple perspectives and for the most part, happy endings!
October 3, 2024
it was a good book it included many details to how people actually escaped the east to go to the west. it also shows how brutal the stasi greapos are to innocent civilians trying to escape a horrible country to go to a place that better for there children and themselves. I honestly think this is a really good book to read for history nerds and regular people. to anyone else that read this book I hope you liked it.
October 18, 2022
This title offers perspectives on both the start and the end of the Berlin Wall - why and how families would choose to leave. The narrative is strong, and the connections between the characters are interesting. My only complaint is that the text is quite small and with narrow margins, as though the publisher didn't want to go above a certain page count.
January 21, 2023
Excellent story of two young people who refuse to let the Stasi and the infamous Berlin Wall stand in their way. Compelling and filled with suspense, great information about the situation in East Germany and how even brothers would spy on each other. My only criticism is that switching perspectives from Marta in 1961 and Kurt in 1989 is not clearly defined and may confuse young readers.
November 23, 2023
Interesting and gripping but I think a tough read for its intended audience. Its time jumps were confusing and the storyline was complicated. Characters were tough to differentiate sometimes. Overall a really good historical novel but would probably only recommend for grades 6 and up unless a very advanced reader.
May 7, 2023
Escape from East Berlin gives you an amazing inside look at how the Soviet control Communists, Nationalists systems of East Berlin were ready to inflict pain anyone it said needed it. By reading this book you learn just how not every bad thing in Germany ended along with the Nazi Regime.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2024
This book was very interesting. I’m not sure what grade level it is intended for but there were times I struggle to read certain parts, could be the small font in the book. Gave my family good conversation starters about this difficult time in history.
August 23, 2024
I really enjoyed this one. I like how the 2 stories came together at the end. Reading about the Berlin Wall is really interesting. I guess I thought it happened right after WWII, and had more to do to with the events ;but now I realize it was significantly later. Great read
October 15, 2024
I enjoy historical-fiction. It's a good format for understanding snippets of history. This author does a very nice job of capturing the aftermath of the erecting of the Berlin Wall, of people yearning to be free, of a totalitarian state trying to "brain wash" the youth.
May 28, 2025
Interesting look into a complicated time, simplified for middle readers. However, there is still detail involved and a general feeling of unease that is quite palpable through the eyes of the same-aged characters as readers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews