Summer of My German Soldier (Puffin Modern Classics)

Twelve-year-old Patty is a Jewish girl growing up in rural Arkansas near the beginning of World War II. A group of Nazi POWs are incarcerated just outside her town. One of the POWs, Anton, escapes from the prison and becomes friends with Patty. Patty is drawn to Anton because he is intelligent and nice to her. Patty’s life is turned upside-down when people learn she concealed and helped a Nazi.Summer of My German Soldier Bette Greene is at times disturbing. The scenes of Patty’s father beating her for no real reason other than she exists were a bit graphic. Patty’s life in general was quite sad. The age difference between Patty (12) and Anton (22) was a bit odd given all the talk about love. The results of Patty’s actions in helping Anton were upsetting. The pacing is slow. The book really makes you think, however. What’s so bad about a Jew helping a German? In 1941 America, most people thought, plenty. Enough, in fact, to arrest a 12 year old little girl.

My son selected this book as an outside Literature book to read for school. I decided to read it, as well. The story covers a period of time during WWII, when German POWs were held within the United States. This story is about one such soldier and a young Jewish girl in a small town in Alabama. Patty Bergen meets the young German POW when some of the prisoners are brought to her father's store to purchase straw hats. Anton, is different from the rest, and one quickly gets the sense that he does not support Hitler. One day, Patty finds him, outside the prison. He has escaped and is trying to get back to a life similar to what he knew before Hitler. Patty hides him. Along with this part of the story, is another story, of how Patty is abused by her parents, both mentally and physically. One thing she learns from her German soldier, Anton, is that she is a person of worth. The story is difficult to read, in part, because of how Patty is treated by her parents. The only people, who seem to truly love and care for Patty are Ruth, the Negro housekeeper, Anton the German soldier and her grandparents in Memphis. This book certainly lends a different perspective to that time period.

I read this book when I was in the 7 th grade. I must have read it a dozen times. Then one day I was sitting down thinking of books that have made an impact on my life. I tried to describe the book to anyone who would listen, but no one could help me remember the name. Finally, I sat back and thought about it, I said to self, well it was about a little girl and a German boy. Finally it came to me. Summer of My German Soldier. I could not download fast enough. For some reason I thought the book was longer and much more intense, but then I was only 11 when I first read it, and everything seems more dramatic when you are young.I am so glad I downloaded and read it again. I have so many highlights in this short novel. I will keep this on my kindle forever and will revisit Patti, Ruth and her horrible parents again in a few years. This is in my opinion a wonderful book to give to a young person, no matter their gender. And now at 52 it might not be the book I remember as a child but the message is still the same. 5 stars!

The story of Patty and why she doesn't fit in and how badly her family treats her and how her sister is the favored child (repeat that several times in breathless teenspeak) reaches across the span of time to any alienated late middle schooler. Most will not become as involved with the law as Patty does but they will understand what leads her there and how she feels.about the way people treat her. WWII and German POWs move the action along but it is the other parts of the story that reveal the most about Patty's lessened self-esteem.I first read this 20 years ago and re-read it as part of my granddaughter's summer reading assignment. Clearly, it has stood the test of time as well as opening up a frank discussion about adolescent feelings.

I read this book when I was in junior high. I loved it! I purchased an e-copy and read it again forty years later. I still love it! I wasn't aware of it's sequel, but I look forward to reading it.

A good movie was made of this! Both novel and movie treat a relatively little known aspect of World War II--the German POWs housed in camps in the U.S. and often working in its factories and on its farms when manpower was in short supply.

I thought this book dealt with a part of our history not typically discussed ~ the German POWs who were imprisoned in America during WWII. The story was told from the perspective of a young Jewish girl living in the South. We not only get a view of how one POW affects her life, but we also see how she is treated by her parents and grandparents. I enjoyed reading this book.

this was an excellent, interesting novel

I first read this book as a teenager and managed to track down Bette Greene's sequel. It was worth satisfying my curiosity over what happened to the characters next. Excellent novel.

I remember watching the film and reading this book when I was younger (about 30 years ago). It made me cry and has stuck with me , so when I saw this book I had to re read it. It's such a Heart renching story which made me cry again 30 years on. I particularly liked Ruth and her love for Patty.

Just the book I was looking for after I have seen the movie made after it. Brand new, together with its sequel (Morning is a Long Time Coming) will be a nice addition to my collection.

I read this book when i was a child and loved it, brought it for my daughter, who didnt as she likes reading on her kindle, booooo!!!

Read this as a young teenager, and loved very page. Have never forgotten it, so bought for my 11 year old daughter for Xmas. A great love story about friendship and loyalty set against a hot dry summer in the southern states of the USA.