Summary
An emotional, thought-provoking book from multi-award-winning author Bette Greene.
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 with feelings not unlike her own.
In Anton, Patty finds someone who softens the pain of her own father's rejection and who appreciates her in a way her mother never will. While patriotic feelings run high, Patty risks losing family, friends -- even her freedom -- for this dangerous friendship. It is a risk she has to take and one she will have to pay a price to keep.
"An exceptionally fine novel." -- The New York Times
"Courageous and compelling!" -- Publishers Weekly
A National Book Award Finalist
An ALA Notable Book
A New York Times Outstanding Book of the Year
Bette Greene was born in 1934 in Memphis,Tenn. An author of young adult fiction, Greene's books speak of the problems of growing up, particularly the feeling of being different. Her most popular book, The Summer of My German Soldier (1973), a semi-autobiographical work based on her experiences growing up Jewish in Arkansas during World War II, was adapted as a television movie. It was nominated for a National Book Award (1973), and received an American Library Association Notable Book award (1973), as well as several other awards. It inspired the sequel, Morning is a Long Time Coming (1978).
Another book, Philip Hall Likes Me, I Reckon Maybe (1974) received multiple awards including an American Library Association Notable Children's Book award (1974) and a Newbery Honor Book award (1975).
(Bowker Author Biography)
