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
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