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Book Review of Summer of My German Soldier

Summer of My German Soldier
reviewed 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!