If I had a horse as black as the night I’d go galloping off in search of her. Go, Evol, Go! North toward the Ozarks and never come back.
People would ask, “What a peculiar name, and what does it mean?” And I’d lie to them, saying it was short for “evolution.” Evolution, like in Darwin’s theory.
But someday it would happen. I’d find her and she’d understand right away that Evol has more power spelled in reverse. And that would be the sign between us. She would be my real mother and now at last I could go home.
(from Summer of My German Soldier, page 63)
Summer of My German Soldier, a young adult novel first published in 1973, is the story of Patty Bergen, a 12-year-old Jewish girl living in Jenkinsville, Arkansas, during World War II. She has few girlfriends because of her religion, and she is forbidden by her father from hanging out with a boy who wants to be her friend because he is poor. Her parents have little time for anything but their department store, and they favor Patty’s little sister. No matter how hard she tries to be good, it’s not enough for them. Her mother constantly criticizes her about her appearance, and her father either dismisses her when she tries to talk to him or beats her when he feels she has disobeyed him. The only friend Patty has is Ruth, the Bergens’ black maid, who is barely tolerated by Patty’s parents but loved fiercely by Patty.
Then a POW camp is opened near her home, and she meets a young German soldier, Frederick Anton Reiker, when he translates for the rest of the POWs making purchases in her father’s store. She notices that he speaks perfect English, that he is intelligent, and that he seems like a good person — not like the evil monsters the locals say all the Nazis are. In fact, through their first conversation, Patty learns that Anton is not Nazi, that his father, a university history professor, was reprimanded for making a comment about Hitler sleeping with a Raggedy Ann doll, and that he’s just a young man who enjoys books and longs to be free.
When Patty gets a chance to help Anton, she risks everything for him, because she really doesn’t have anything. Anton offers her friendship, love, and intelligent conversation. Patty may never have love or respect from her parents and she may never be accepted by the girls in her school, but Anton shows her that she has value. He soon becomes the most important person in Patty’s world, and even though she is only 12 and doesn’t really know him all that well, readers can understand her hunger for companionship and love and why she does what she does over the course of the book.
Summer of My German Soldier is a short but powerful and thought-provoking book. Greene not only writes about child abuse and friendship, but also about antisemitism and racism. Told from Patty’s point of view, you feel her loneliness and sadness, her pain and sorrow, and of course, her innocence. She’s a girl who’s wise beyond her years, yet still a child. I didn’t expect the book to be so moving, but the scenes of abuse, while not graphic, angered me, and Anton’s conversations with Patty were touching. I wasn’t ready for the book to end, so I was glad to find out there’s a sequel. I’m waiting for Morning Is a Long Time Coming to arrive at my library, and I hope it doesn’t take much longer!
Disclosure: I borrowed Summer of My German Soldier from my local library. I am an IndieBound affiliate and an Amazon associate.
© 2012 Anna Horner of Diary of an Eccentric. All Rights Reserved. Please do not reproduce or republish content without permission.
Anna, this sounds really touching! Wonderful review, as usual.
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Thanks, Suko!
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This was one of my favorite books as a kid, I also read Morning Is A Long Time Coming. It’s a truly unique book and I strongly identified with Patty.
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I finally have Morning Is a Long Time Coming from the library and can’t wait to read it.
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I didn’t realize there’s a sequel. I really liked this book too.
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I only discovered there was a sequel when I was looking for this book on Goodreads!
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I have heard this title many times, but never knew what the story was really about, before. No idea there was a sequel, either- I wonder if its as good.
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I’ll find out whether it’s good soon enough. 🙂
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I read this as a child and recently picked up a copy of it. I had no idea there was a sequel though. I will be on the lookout for it.
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Seems like most people were unaware of the sequel. I wonder if that means it’s not good? I hope that’s not the case!
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This does sound emotional and moving. I can imagine it would anger me as well reading some of the scenes. Great review.
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I was surprised that it was so moving because it is a lighter WWII novel.
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I’ve always meant to read this. I thin kI thought the girl in the book was older though!
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From what I’d heard about the book before I read it, I thought so too!
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I read this book and the sequel a few years ago. I keep saying I am going to reread it but then never do… One day!
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Not sure whether this is one of those books I’d reread despite how much I liked it.
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One of my all-time favorite students loved this book! I think she reads it every year! You’ve inspired me to read it for sure!
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I can’t wait to see what you think of it!
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This is one of my favorite books too. The sequel is good too. 🙂
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I’m so glad to hear it!
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this is definitely one of those YA classics I never got to as a kid, but I hope to eventually!
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Better late than never!
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sounds like a good introduction for the YA crowd to a lot of issues.
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Yes. I think The Girl would like this one too.
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I have heard about this one of course, but never read it
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If only there was more time in the day to devote to reading! Sigh.
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This sounds like a marvelous story – the kind of book that teachers should be teaching from, there’s a lot here to talk about. It’s interesting to see how we are all so appalled, in retrospect, about the way the Germans treated the Jews, but in the U.S. we didn’t do such a great job of treating them well, either.
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Why does it seem that I only read fluffy, boring books when I was in middle school?
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Great review! I seem to remember this one from when I was in school, but I can’t remember if I read it or not.
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Thanks, Kim!
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Wonderful review Anna. I haven’t heard of this one before but now that I have I’d really like to read it.
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Thanks, Dar! Hope you get a chance to read it soon.
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I really want to read this one. Your review is wonderful and I will check to see if I can get it at my local library. I love historical middle-grade and YA novels.
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Since the Civil War challenge last year, I’ve found that I love middle grade and YA historical fiction, too!
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I read this book a VERY long time ago, in grade school, I think. I am not sure if I read the sequel, but I think I did. I remember loving it.
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Glad to hear you enjoyed it!
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Like others, I read this originally in school and I remembered it so fondly. I reread it a few years ago and thought it stood up really well. I don’t think I ever read the sequel. I might have to have a look and see if it is available anywhere in the state library system
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I hope my post prompts more people to read the sequel! I want to know what others think about it!
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I’ve added this one to my list for sure. Thanks bunches for sharing!
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My pleasure! Thanks for stopping by!
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I read this as a kid and recently was able to get a copy for my library. I have to dig it out and re-read it soon. Plus, I didn’t know there was a sequel! Will have to see if I can find that somewhere.
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I’m surprised with how popular this book is that the sequel didn’t get much attention.
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i enjoyed reading this book and i didnt regret reading it.
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