Going Over

Description

It is February 1983, and Berlin is a divided city-a miles-long barricade separating east from west. But the city isn't the only thing that is divided. Ada, almost 16, lives with her mother and grandmother among the rebels, punkers, and immigrants of Kreuzberg, just west of the wall. Stefan, 18, lives east with his brooding grandmother in a faceless apartment bunker of Friedrichshain, his telescope pointed toward freedom. Bound by love and separated by circumstance, their only chance lies in a high-risk escape. But will Stefan find the courage to leap? Will Ada keep waiting for the boy she has only seen four times a year for as long as she can remember? Or will forces beyond their control stand in their way? Told in the alternating voices of the pink-haired graffiti artist and the boy she loves, Going Over is a story of daring and sacrifice, choices and consequences, and love that will not wait. Now in paperback, the beautiful, gripping story of two teenagers determined to be together despite their forced separation on opposite sides of the Berlin Wall.

Beth Kephart is the award-winning author of eighteen books, including Flow: The Life and Times of Philadelphia's Schuylkill River, Small Damages, Handling the Truth, Nest. Flight. Sky., and Going Over. Two more books-a young adult novel set in Florence, Italy, and a collection of essays on memory and place-are set to launch in 2015. Kephart teaches creative nonfiction at the University of Pennsylvania, reviews adult novels for the Chicago Tribune, writes a monthly essay for the Philadelphia Inquirer, has written about books and publishing trends for many publications, and has appeared at numerous venues as a keynote speaker, a workshop leader, a judge, and an observing journalist. Kephart was one of 50 authors (18th century to present) named to the Literary Legacy exhibition at the Philadelphia International Airport and is a Radnor High Hall of Famer.

"An absorbing story of young love and conflicting ideologies."--Publishers Weekly "A keenly intimate story of human love made epic by circumstances."-- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "An intense, absorbing read that shows how the personal and political can be fused together, and how small, personal acts can have life-changing implications for many people.... a unique, passionate story illuminating a fascinating time and place."--Common Sense Media "Paints a vivid picture of a divided Berlin and the wall that separates friends, lovers and families."--BookPage "A profound read meant for discussion."-VOYA: Voice of Youth Advocates "Going Over carefully balances love and heartbreak, propelling readers through the story."--Shelf Awareness "Readers will finish the book and continue to think about how effective one wall can be in separating a country and in fashioning attitudes toward life."--Reading Today "An excellent example of historical fiction focusing on an unusual time period."-School Library Journal, starred review "At once compelling and challenging... this gripping effort captures the full flavor of a trying time in an onerous place."--Kirkus Reviews "A stark reminder of the power of hope, courage, and love."-Booklist, starred review A Junior Library Guild Selection "Beth Kephart has done it again. She's spun gold out of the language of longing and has shown us how to make room for miracles. Going Over--about a boy and girl separated by the cruelest of fates--will inspire any reader to make the leap for love."--Patricia McCormick, author of National Book Award Finalists Sold and Never Fall Down "An unforgettable portrayal of life and love divided. Kephart captures the beauty and desperation of 1980's Berlin with prose both gripping and graceful."--Ruta Sepetys, New York Times bestselling author of Between Shades of Gray and Out of the Easy "Beth Kephart is one of my heroes. She's spun gold out of the language of longing and has shown us how to make room for miracles. We Could Be Heroes-about a boy and girl separated by the cruelest of fates-will inspire any reader to make the leap for love."--Patricia McCormick, author of National Book Award Finalists Sold and Never Fall Down