R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed on + 1448 more book reviews
I enjoyed this novel but found the situation of a 12-year-old girl hiding a German soldier prisoner escapee a bit far fetched. Sometimes, too, I thought that the emotions of young Patty Bergen did not seem consistent with what I know about 12-year-olds. However, it's been awhile since I was that age so I could be wrong.
Basically, the story is this: Patty views a busload of young German soldiers disembarking on their way to a prisoner of war camp nearby. The residents view the prisoners as the dreaded and hated Nazis. However, Patty finds herself drawn to one boy in particular. When she waits on him in her father's store, she finds that he is kind, polite, and gentle.
Her home life is difficult with her mother always criticizing her appearance and her father beating her. The soft eyes of the kind stranger who treats her as someone of value makes him interesting. He becomes a most unlikely friend who she shelters in a forgotten room above the garage. Anton understands young Patty as her mother and father never could. Eventually, their friendship is discovered but only after Anton has been killed wearing clothes that Patty had given her father. Since the shirt had her father's initials on the pocket the FBI come calling to question her. What happens to Patty is sad and realistic as the people of the state believe that she is a Nazi sympathizer at best. The author explores the small mindedness of people unable to understand that even enemies harbor sensitive and kind individuals.
I enjoyed this little read enough to read the sequel titled Morning Is a Long Time coming. It's a good read for the YA age reader.
Basically, the story is this: Patty views a busload of young German soldiers disembarking on their way to a prisoner of war camp nearby. The residents view the prisoners as the dreaded and hated Nazis. However, Patty finds herself drawn to one boy in particular. When she waits on him in her father's store, she finds that he is kind, polite, and gentle.
Her home life is difficult with her mother always criticizing her appearance and her father beating her. The soft eyes of the kind stranger who treats her as someone of value makes him interesting. He becomes a most unlikely friend who she shelters in a forgotten room above the garage. Anton understands young Patty as her mother and father never could. Eventually, their friendship is discovered but only after Anton has been killed wearing clothes that Patty had given her father. Since the shirt had her father's initials on the pocket the FBI come calling to question her. What happens to Patty is sad and realistic as the people of the state believe that she is a Nazi sympathizer at best. The author explores the small mindedness of people unable to understand that even enemies harbor sensitive and kind individuals.
I enjoyed this little read enough to read the sequel titled Morning Is a Long Time coming. It's a good read for the YA age reader.
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