Monday 23 March 2015

Summer of My German Soldier by Bette Greene

Over the summer (appropriately), I reread this favourite from my teenage years.  I couldn’t remember a lot about Summer of My German Soldier, apart from the kiss and the hiding place over the garage.  I had a vague feeling it was set in America, but wondered how it could possibly be that a Jewish girl hides a German prisoner of war in the US.

It turns out my vague feeling was correct.  It is in fact set in Arkansas during World War II, in a small backwater where the only Jews in town own the local department store.  Patty Bergen is the unloved eldest child of the family.  When POWs from the nearby camp are brought to the store to purchase hats for their field work, Patty forms a bond with Anton Reiker, a half-English, half-German POW who interprets for the others.  Later in the story, Anton escapes and Patty hides him in an abandoned loft above the garage.

That is an overview of the plot, but these scenes take up surprisingly few chapters.  There is so much more to this book.  Weaving through the plot are portraits of: a town steeped in prejudice; a family in which appearances (literal and figurative) are everything; and a character searching for her self-worth. 

I highly recommend this powerful story of friendship.  I loved it as a teenager and I love it still.


The Best Bit of Summer of My German Soldier: “The greater the value, the greater the pleasure in giving it.  The ring is yours, P.B.”  Then in the darkened silence, I heard him breathe deeply.  “Am I still your teacher?”  Without pausing for an answer he continued, “Then I want you to learn this, our last, lesson.  Even if you forget everything else I want you to always remember that you are a person of value, and you have a friend who loved you enough to give you his most valued possession.” – Bette Greene