Read & reviewed by Olive (Tawa Student); The Boy Behind The Wall is a fantastic book about two young teenagers that live on opposite sides of the Wall. Harry lives with his mother and father in the West side of Berlin. Jakob lives with his adoptive parents, Hans and Margot, in East Berlin. Harry sends a message over the Wall, hoping for someone to find it. Jakob receives Harry’s note and decides to make a change. He starts something huge, something that could change both of their lives forever.
I would rate The Boy Behind The Wall 10 + and for people that like books in an alternate universe.
Berlin, 1967.
Three weeks after moving to West Berlin for his diplomat father's work, American Harry Rogers witnesses the shooting of a boy trying to escape into the West over the Wall.
In East Berlin, Jakob is the adopted son of a high up Stasi officer, Hans Eberhardt.
When Harry floats a helium filled balloon with a message attached, Jakob chances upon it and sees an opportunity. The boys begin a correspondence. On the surface their letters appear to be those of two normal pen friends, but beneath these they use lemon juice as invisible ink to share messages that would not make it past the authorities. They soon realise that a hidden tunnel is their only way out as Harry and Jakob race time and test their wits against the watchful eyes of the Stasi.
Review; 'It has everything a school Library Manager could possibly hope for in a book to recommend to their students. It gives the reader historical knowledge. It is an adventure. It is thrilling. The pacing is perfect. There is no bad language' -- Dudley School Librarian
Author Biography: Welbeck Flame and Tibor Jones have collaborated to develop this book with a talented team of writers, including two German editors, who work collaboratively with a dynamic and creative approach echoing the TV script-writing model. The Boy Behind the Wall, and its sequel publishing in 2022, will be published under the fictional author nameMaximillian Jones. The project was conceived and produced by Kevin Conroy Scott, was co-written by Michael Button, Gavin Burgess and James Horrocks and was managed by Joe Heap and Charlotte Colwill.
Historical thriller, age recommended; 11years plus
Paperback
Maximillian Jones
304 pages
H: 198mm W: 129mm