Smuggler's Treasure

So what am I doing here? She asked herself, feeling a pang of shame. Am I the only one who understands how big this is? She watched her mother for a moment longer and it became pretty clear. It was all up to Liesl. 

Book: Smuggler's Treasure (The Wall) by Robert Elmer, Zonderkidz, 2006
 

Genre: Historical Fiction
Target Audience: Boys and Girls 11-18
Subject: Family history/secrets, taking a stand vs. obedience to parents
Summary: Liesl does NOT want to turn in another boring report that says the same things as everyone else. She wants to write about the war and the wall, but she wants something personal, a story. Her mom has one but won't share. Liesl is pretty determined though. She isn't content with status quo living on the correct side of the wall. She wants to make a difference. She smuggles Bibles across the border, joins a protest group, crosses the border on her own, and makes phone calls to America. She will find out what the big family secret is, no matter what the cost!
Notes: In the last book, the character had a tough time deciding anything, second guessing herself continually. Liesl on the other hand could use some second guessing. She acts first, then thinks later. Simple obedience to her parents or complete honesty or trusting what she knows is right would go a long ways towards keeping her out of trouble!
This is the 3rd book in The Wall series. Each book deals with the next generation. It begins with the story of Erich and his mom in the first book. The next one deals with a much younger sister and her struggles to escape. This 3rd one deals with the daughter of that younger sister who lives in the safest situation of any of them, but isn't content there. This series presents a picture of what life could have been like for children living on either side of the wall through different time periods.
Recommendation Scale: 5 for history, 1.5 for spiritual issues
Reviewer: J:-)mi

1 Peter 5:10 – And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.