Plumfield and Paideia

A Night Divided

Reviewed by Sara Masarik
This 2015 middle-grade novel by Jennifer A. Nielsen tells the story of a family divided by the Berlin Wall during the Cold War. It is the second historical fiction novel by Nielsen that I have read, and I am glad to have this one in my lending library. It moves at a different pace than that of Words on Fire and is less exciting, but it offers readers young and old a compelling tale of life inside the wall. Nielsen does an excellent job of helping us to understand why so few tried to escape East Germany – because of the danger, because of retribution to the loved ones who stayed behind, and because of uncertainty that the West was really any better. But the realities of life inside the wall are chilling. Read the full review

Noah's Ark

Reviewed by Sara Masarik
In 1978, Peter Spier blessed the world with one of the most engaging renditions of Noah's Ark that I have ever seen. In a nearly wordless book, the reader is invited into one imaginative scene after another delightful scene of the biblical tale. Two things struck me as I read this book... Read the full review

Norman the Doorman

Reviewed by Sara Masarik
Norman the Doorman by Don Freeman is a totally adorable picture book that will delight little ones and the grownups reading aloud to them. Read the full review