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Summer of My German Soldier
Summer of My German Soldier
Author: Bette Greene
When her small hometown in Arkansas becomes the site of a camp housing German prisoners during World War II, 12-year-old Patty Bergen learns what it means to open her heart. Although she's Jewish, she begins to see a prison escapee, Anton, not as a Nazi -- but as a lonely, frightened young man with feelings not unlike her own, who understands an...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780553272475
ISBN-10: 0553272470
Publication Date: 10/1988
Pages: 199
Rating:
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 32

3.8 stars, based on 32 ratings
Publisher: Starfire
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio Cassette, Audio CD
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed Summer of My German Soldier on + 3352 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
A prize winning book for Teens which makes good reading for adults, too. Good study into what actually makes up bias, patriotism, and learning to understand.
reviewed Summer of My German Soldier on + 104 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
12 YEAR OLD JEWISH GIRL PATTY WAS NOT LOVED BY HER PARENTS, WHEN A GERMAN PRISONER OF WAR ESCAPED SHE HELPED HIM, IN ANTON SHE FOUND SOMEONE THAT APPRECIATED HER IN A WAY HER PARENTS NEVER DID. PATTY RISKS LOOSING HER FAMILY, FRIENDS AND EVEN HER FREEDOM FOR THIS FRIENDSHIP, IT IS A RISK SHE HAS TO TAKE AND ONE SHE WILL PAY A HIGH PRICE TO KEEP. (from the backcover). THIS IS ONE OF THESE BOOKS YOU ALWAYS REMEMBER.
PastorPeanut avatar reviewed Summer of My German Soldier on + 16 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I have enjoyed this book very much -- read it 4 or 5 times between the 5th grade and adulthood. It is a compelling -- and timely! -- narrative exploration of how we know our friends, and who are our enemies.
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MyLikeIt avatar reviewed Summer of My German Soldier on + 450 more book reviews
The Summer that Patty Bergen turned twelve is a summer that will haunt her forever. When her small hometown in Arkansas becomes the site of a camp housing German prisoners during World War II, Patty learns what it means to open her heart. Even though she's
Jewish, she begins to see a prison escapee, Anton, not as a Nazi -- but as a lonely, frightened young man with feelings not unlike her own, who understands and appreciates her in a way her parents never will. And Patty is willing to risk losing family, friends -- even her freedom -- for what has quickly become the most important part of her life.

A classic YA title, and a terrific read!
IlliniAlum83 avatar reviewed Summer of My German Soldier on + 181 more book reviews
Read this YA novel because one of my daughters had it as assigned reading years ago and it is one of the few popular WW II fiction books I hadn't read yet.

I can see the that the themes in the book would lead to a lot of discussion in a classroom of pre-teens-- child abuse, being a loner, being different from others in town (Jewish family), conflict with parents.......before you even get to the main act!

Going to avoid any spoilers but really need to say-- Disappointing ending.....it's like the author reached the expected page count and just stopped writing.
reviewed Summer of My German Soldier on + 123 more book reviews
"The summer that Patty bergen turns twelve is a summer that will haunt her forever.
When her small hometown in Arkansas becomes the site of a camp housing German prisoners during World War II, Patty Learns what it means to open her heart.
Even though she's Jewish, she begins to see a prison escapee, Anton, not as a Nazi, but as a lonely, frightened young man with feelings not unlike her own.
In Anton, Patty finds someone who softens the pain of her own father's rejection and who appreciates her in a way her mother never will.
While patriotic feelings run high, Patty risks losing family, friends - even her freedom - for this dangerous friendship.
It is a risk she has to take and one she will have to pay a price to keep."
reviewed Summer of My German Soldier on + 612 more book reviews
Patty Bergen was twelve the summer that the German prisoners arrived at the POW camp outside Jenkinsville, Arkansas.
Patty- awkward and lonely, always talking too much, unable to please her parents- longed for a friend. Then, when some of the prisoners were brought to her father's store. Patty met Anton. It was a dangerous friendship, between a Jewish girl and a German soldier during World War II, when patriotic feeling was running high.
reviewed Summer of My German Soldier on + 3 more book reviews
Summer of My German Soldier was an amazing story of seeing past a uniform or skin color and looking at the true person. It applies to our world today!
Barbllm avatar reviewed Summer of My German Soldier on + 241 more book reviews
Beautifully told story of a 12 year old girl's tenuous friendship with a 20 year old German POW in the American midwest. Patty Bergen is one of the best heroines in young adult literature. Despite all the anti-Nazi propaganda around her, Patty slowly realizes that not all Germans were Nazis and that her new friend, Anton, might not be the bogeyman everyone thinks he is. Highly recommended.
reviewed Summer of My German Soldier on + 15 more book reviews
I must say that I didn't not like this book at all. It was slow and boring. I never even saw a point in it. Maybe it was the fact that they made us read it in seventh grade, and I didn't really understand it as well. I'd say if you're going to read this book, at least make sure you're an adult.
reviewed Summer of My German Soldier on
Patty Bergen is the protagonist of this story. I could relate to many parts of this story - I am from Arkansas, was the same age as her during WWII with many of the same dreams. And I too once met some German POWs as my father took me to a near-by Army Camp where he was asked to interview some of the prisoners because he spoke German. Like Patty, I was often lonely & felt misunderstood,but for much different reasons...Patty was from a wealthy Jewish family. Her father tried desperately to 'fit in' with their Protestant neighbors which explains why he is so ill tempered & beats Patty, since she often deviates from his standards of how they should act. Her parents neglect her & she is also perceived as a failure. The plot is simple & straight forward, but some understanding of the time period would help the reader. . .Jews were treated differently in America during WWII. Patty is extremely lonely & longs for love. She meets Anton, a German POW, & shelters him after he escapes the prison. The best parts of the book are how she hides him & steals food. I don't want to spoil the story. . . does she and/or the soldier get caught? You'll just have to read it to find out!

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