When her small hometown in Arkansas becomes the site of a camp housing German prisoners during the Second World War, twelve-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. Anton understands and appreciates Patty in a way her parents never will and she is willing to risk losing family, friends - even her freedom - for what has quickly become the most important part of her life. I actually liked Anton - that is, once the book stated that he hated Hitler. The author managed to humanize him and create excellent drama. This is a very powerful, moving and sad novel. There are two side notes to this book. The first is that there's a sequel to it, which I've decided not to review, entitled Morning Is A Long Time Coming. The other is that Summer Of My German Soldier was banned due to having racism, offensive language and being sexually explicit.
When her small hometown in Arkansas becomes the site of a camp housing German prisoners during the Second World War, twelve-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. Anton understands and appreciates Patty in a way her parents never will and she is willing to risk losing family, friends - even her freedom - for what has quickly become the most important part of her life. I actually liked Anton - that is, once the book stated that he hated Hitler. The author managed to humanize him and create excellent drama. This is a very powerful, moving and sad novel. There are two side notes to this book. The first is that there's a sequel to it, which I've decided not to review, entitled Morning Is A Long Time Coming. The other is that Summer Of My German Soldier was banned due to having racism, offensive language and being sexually explicit.
