Going Over, the newest novel from Beth Kephart, like her Small Damages, reveals the unseen scars of war.
Set in early 1983, it's the romantic, gut-wrenching story of Ada and Stefan, teens living on the opposite sides of the Berlin Wall, who alternate as narrators. The deep friendship between their grandmothers, Omi and Grossmutter, dating back to World War II, means graffiti artist Ada has known Stefan since she was two years old and "loved him since the day I turned 12." With her grandmother Omi, Ada makes the journey across the Wall to Stefan's East Berlin as many as four times a year. As Ada nears her 16th birthday, she is desperate for Stefan to do the unthinkable: cross the Wall. For Stefan, the journey is beyond dangerous. His mother and grandfather made the trip and never returned for him. For every newspaper clipping Ada can smuggle over telling of someone's successful escape, Stefan can find a failed attempt. When failure will mean death or imprisonment, is it better to live at arm's length from love or to make the jump? As Stefan weighs the consequences of running and staying, Ada finds herself entangled in another struggle when Savas, a young Turkish boy from the daycare she works for, goes missing. All the while, the dangers of the Stasi and the Wall loom ominously in the background.
Kephart's novel is one of heartache and triumph. Rather than painting an overtly rosy picture of life on either side of the Wall, Kephart shows the struggles of life in a divided Berlin. Ada's and Stefan's alternating chapters give readers a window into both worlds. Though Ada has considerably more chapters, the emotion and danger packed into Stefan's chapters make his resonate just as powerfully. Beautiful characters, some drawn from real life, bring the story into sharp focus as the power of love is brought to light in its various facets. To Kephart's credit, Ada and Stefan's love is not the only one shown. From rebellious Arabella and her American suitor, to Ada's mother's new artist boyfriend, who may or may not abandon her as so many others have, to the decades-long friendship of Omi and Grossmutter, love abounds in this novel. Going Over carefully balances love and heartbreak, propelling readers through the story, constantly wondering about the fate of Savas and whether Stefan will be able to cross over. The dangers and consequences Kephart portrays are as real as the victories and joys. --Kyla Paterno
Shelf Talker: Two teens living on opposite sides of the Berlin Wall fall in love, but is their love great enough for one of them to risk death in an attempt to escape East Berlin?