Summer of My German Soldier cover art

Summer of My German Soldier

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Summer of My German Soldier

By: Bette Greene
Narrated by: Dale Dickey
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About this listen

The summer that Patty Bergen turns twelve is a summer that will haunt her forever. When her small hometown in Arkansas becomes the site of a camp housing German prisoners during World War II, Patty learns what it means to open her heart. Even though she’s Jewish, she begins to see a prison escapee, Anton, not as a Nazi, but as a lonely, frightened young man. As their gentle friendship blossoms, Patty experiences a kind of love she never felt from her abusive father or her distant mother.

Soon Patty must weigh the cost of harboring a Nazi prisoner - the possibility of losing family, friends, and even her freedom - against the beauty of this dangerous but unforgettable friendship.

Based on the author’s own painful experiences growing up in Arkansas during World War II, this poignant novel is an ALA Notable Book, a National Book Award finalist, one of the New York Times Outstanding Books of the Year, and the winner of the Golden Kite Award.

©1973 Bette Greene (P)1995 Recorded Books, LLC Fiction Growing Up Historical Fiction Literature & Fiction Friendship Heartfelt

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All stars
Most relevant
I read this when I was in my teens. Years later I came to it again and the depictions of various types of child abuse disturbed me more. it's unusual and vividly written, with all the characters instantly visible to me. The narration is perfect: I wasn't aware of it but the various voices are again just how I imagine the characters to sound. To me, it's profoundly disturbing: surely a classic of American fiction for young people, and for Audible..

Powerful, maybe not a child's book

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Beautiful story, beautifully written and performed. I had read the book when I was a teenager and it hasn’t lost any of its impact and poignance.

Absolutely excellent narrator

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This is the book that made me an enthusiastic reader. I remember reading it from the library aged about 12 and lying on my bedroom floor sobbing and ugly crying. Listening again in my 40s was challenging due to the 'casual' racist language that would certainly not be appropriate today - but set in 1940s US, it was of its time. A heartbreaking tale of neglect, acceptance and love. I am excited to hear that a sequel was written - I hope it is read by the same excellent narrator.

still a classic

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