DIE MAUER MUSS WEG - Kids' Books on East and West Germany and the Coming Down of the Wall

65 years ago the Berlin wall was erected. After that Germany was divided in East and West, with two different political systems and all that comes with it. For children nowadays it may be hard to imagine, even more so when they are fare away here in the US. Probably most of us parents have forgotten a thing or two, even though we still speak about "the wall in our heads". Here are some great age-appropriate books to read to and with your child - and discuss.

Franziska Gehm / Horst Klein

HÜBENDRÜBEN

ALS DEINE ELTERN NOCH KLEIN UND DEUTSCHLAND NOCH ZWEI WAREN

In the center of this picture book/graphic book are two cousins: Max who lives in Federal Republic of Germany and Maja, who lives in East Germany. We learn about their daily lives - of the differences, but also what they have in common.We learn why Germany was divided in two after WW II - and are suddenly confronted with a pop up wall jumping up from the page right after the explanation. It is a book with a good sense of humor, that explains things age appropriately and takes a non ideological stance. You can look at it again and again - and go as deep as you like in discussing with your kid.

Highly recommended!

6 years and up

Gerda Raidt

WIE EIN VOGEL

This is a beautifully illustrated and touching memoir, that tells of a childhood in East Berlin in a non-chalant manner. Gerda grew up in Eastern Berlin, for her the Berlin Wall was just a reality. Nobody can cross it - apart from old people like her grandmother, who always returns with exciting gifts from the West. And birds - they can fly over, Birds are also an important part of Gerda's life.. There is the bird she had herself, the bird her friend left behind when disappearing to the West. The birds that seem to have flown over from the West...

7 years and up

Hannah Schrott

FRITZI WAR DABEI

A very different take on history is offered in this book. We get a glimpse at the very last days of East Germany from the perspective of the nine year old girl Fritzi. When school starts after the summer break, Fritzi is confused. Her best friend Sophie is gone and the teacher doesn't seem to miss her. More people disappear. And Fritzi's grand-mother calls from Munich to ask if they are still in the East. Mondays people demonstrate against the ruling regime. Fritzi's mother is on the side of the ones leaving and demonstrating. Her father says, you can't just leave a country like a movie theater when you don't enjoy the film. So Fritzi goes to the demonstrations with her mom alone. But then people seem to become more and more afraid. Her mother continues to head to the streets on Mondays, but Fritzi stays home with her father because it is too dangerous. From inside they see trucks pouring into the city...

Suspenseful and moving - the author spoke to many who were children in 1989 and thus it has a very immediate feeling to it.

7 years and up

Franziska Gehm

PULLERPAUSE IM TAL DER AHNUNGSLOSEN

If you are looking for something hilariously funny, that still offers great insights, PULLERPAUSE IM TAL DER AHNUNGSLOSEN is for you! Jobst and his mother are returning from their vacation - they were on a time travel in the middle ages - when his mother urgently needs to pee. So they take a stop in Dresden, 1987. But then their suitcase - which actually is their time travel vehicle - disappears. Still clad for the middle ages, they attract quite a bit of attention and almost get arrested. But luckily a theatre director intervenes and they can stay in his dacha, while they with the help of some children search for the suitcase. Unfortunately the suitcase was highly suspicious and has been brought to Berlin to investigate. Will they make it out to Munich in the the 21st century?

9 years and up

Katja Ludwig

DAS MAUERSCHWEINCHEN

Nora, lives on the Wolliner Street 46. Aron who loves constructing stuff, in particular anything that flies, often lives with his grandmother a little further up at number 56, when his parents are in Moscow. In between them is the Berlin wall. When a butcher on the Eastern side wants to kill a guinea pig, Aron constructs a flying object to save the little animal. And on the other side of the wall is Nora, who wants nothing more then a pet....

This book is cleverly done. Once you have finished reading Aron's story and learned about his everyday life. you turn the book round and read it from the Nora's.

9 years and up

Susan Schädlich / Alexander von Knorre

WIE WAR DAS IN DER DDR?

This non-fiction book is an excellent mix of memories of the authors, who were children in the 1980ies, funny sketches and bubbles with addtional fun (or not so fun) facts.

It depicts every day life, and how different it was depeneding on the situation of the family and their political stance. And tells about people who had an impact in the course of the history, such as Gorbatschow or activists like Poppe. Also comes with a time line and a map. Great resource!

9 years and up

Dirk Kummer

ALLES NUR AUS ZUCKERSAND

Jonas and Fred are best friends and as close as can be, despite their very different backgrounds. Jonas' parents are members of the communist party. Fred's mother is a single parent who studies the world map and preys before dinner.. Most days they hang out in empty factories close to the Western border. But their days together are over sooner then they like. Fred's mother has applied for an exit visa and it has been granted. They are not allowed to see each other anymore. They do so secretly. How will the two be able to see each other again and stay friends once Jonas is gone? They are convinced they can and form a plan.

A very touching novel about a friendship and how politics can affect children. Dirk Kummer made an equally amazing and award winning movie with the same title.

10 years and up

Ute Krause

IM LABYRINTH DER LÜGEN

A suspenseful middle grade novel that combines a mystery, friendship and a childhood in East Berlin. 12 year old Paul lives with his uncle and grandmother, since his parents were arrested after trying to flee to the West - they were bought free and now live in the West. How can they live without him? It is confusing and difficult for Paul to comprehend, even more after a traumatic experience in a boarding school. But he slowly adjust with his loving grandmother and makes friends with Milena who also just moved to Berlin and misses her Cuban mother.

When suspicious things happen at night at the Pergomon museum, where Paul's uncle works, they are all set on solving the mystery themselves, unaware of the complications this might bring for all...

There also is an excellent TV series.

10 years and up

mawil

KINDERLAND

EINE KINDHEIT IM SCHATTEN DER MAUER

Kinderland is an award-winning graphic novel that is set in the last days of Eastern Germany. In its center is Mirco Witze, a shy and insecure teenager, who tries to stay out of trouble by adjusting as much as he can. It is not as easy as it could be, as his parents are regime critics and church goers. His big passion is table tennis. With his friends he is so enthralled by organizing a tournament, he somehow doesn't really take in what is going on around him: other kids in his class are missing, his parents are discussing leaving Easter Germany themselves and people are on the streets...

10 years and up

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