88 pages • 2 hours read
Bette GreeneA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Summer of My German Soldier by Bette Greene, narrated by 12-year-old Patty Bergen, follows her life in Jenkinsville, Arkansas, during World War II, as she befriends an escaped German POW, Anton Reiker, while navigating her abusive home environment and societal prejudice as a Jewish girl. The story explores themes of friendship, identity, and resilience. The book addresses physical and emotional abuse, racism, and antisemitism.
Bette Greene's Summer of My German Soldier is praised for its poignant portrayal of complex themes such as friendship, prejudice, and identity through the eyes of a young girl. The narrative is engaging and thought-provoking, though some reviews note that certain character dynamics feel outdated. Overall, it's a compelling read with deep emotional impact.
A reader who enjoys historical fiction and coming-of-age stories will find Summer of My German Soldier by Bette Greene compelling. Fans of The Book Thief by Markus Zusak and Number the Stars by Lois Lowry will appreciate its emotional depth and exploration of complex themes such as prejudice, forgiveness, and human connection.
Historical Fiction
Romance
Coming of Age / Bildungsroman
WWII / World War II
Holocaust
Identity: Race
Society: War
Life/Time: Coming of Age
Military / War
History: World