“I was twelve, and what I knew of the world was what I had learned from the movies and from books, and from the people who lived in Jenkinsville, Arkansas.”
— Patty describes her limited worldview at the beginning of the story.
Archivist's Choice
Summer of My German Soldier
Bette Greene (1973)
Genre
Children's / Historical Fiction / Young Adult / Romance
Reading Time
203 min
Key Themes
See below
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In a small Arkansas town during WWII, a lonely Jewish girl finds an unexpected friend in a German prisoner of war, risking everything for a forbidden connection that grows amidst prejudice and misunderstanding.
Synopsis
In 1944, thirteen-year-old Patty Bergen feels like an outsider in her Jewish family and community in Jenkinsville, Arkansas. Her parents are critical and emotionally distant, leaving Patty craving understanding and affection. When German prisoners of war arrive, Patty's life changes. She meets Anton Reiker, a young German POW, and despite their different backgrounds and the town's hostility toward the prisoners, they form a deep, forbidden bond. Anton sees Patty in a way no one else ever has, offering her the validation she seeks. When Anton escapes, Patty decides to hide him, risking everything for their connection. Their secret is discovered, leading to Anton's recapture and Patty's interrogation, ostracization by her community, and severe consequences from her family and the law, including time in reform school. Throughout her ordeal, Patty deals with the results of her actions, the prejudice of her town, and grief over Anton's fate, all while holding onto the memory of the one person who truly understood her.
Reading time
203 min
Difficulty
Medium
Pacing
Moderate
Mood
Poignant, Thought-provoking, Melancholy, Hopeful
✓ Read this if...
You enjoy poignant historical fiction about forbidden friendships, coming-of-age during wartime, and exploring themes of prejudice and belonging.
✗ Skip this if...
You prefer lighthearted stories or are uncomfortable with themes of emotional abuse and racial prejudice.
Plot Summary
Arrival in Jenkinsville
Twelve-year-old Patty Bergen, a Jewish girl in Jenkinsville, Arkansas, feels like an outcast in her own family. Her parents, Harry and Pearl, are critical and emotionally distant, especially towards Patty. Her summer boredom is broken by the arrival of German prisoners of war, who are brought to a new camp near town. While the townspeople generally view the Germans with hostility, Patty is curious. During a visit to her father's department store, where some POWs are working, Patty meets Anton Reiker, a young German soldier. She is struck by his calm manner and the way he looks at her, a look without the usual disdain she receives from her family.
The First Encounter with Anton
During one of the German prisoners' work assignments at Harry Bergen's department store, Patty watches them. While the other townspeople show open disdain and cruelty towards the POWs, Patty feels a bit of empathy. When Anton Reiker is left unguarded for a moment, Patty impulsively buys him a Coca-Cola and offers it to him. This simple act of kindness, new to Anton as a prisoner, surprises him. He accepts the drink, and in that brief exchange, a silent understanding forms between them, setting the stage for their secret friendship. Patty is drawn to his politeness and the respectful way he treats her, which is very different from her family's treatment.
Anton's Escape and Patty's Help
Weeks later, Anton Reiker escapes from the POW camp. Knowing he has nowhere else to go and remembering Patty's earlier kindness, he seeks her out. Patty, despite the great danger and potential consequences, decides to help him. She secretly hides Anton in a deserted room above her family's garage, giving him food, clothing, and a safe place to stay. This act shows Patty's deep need for connection and her growing rebellion against rigid societal norms and her family's expectations. Their conversations during this time deepen their bond, as Anton treats her with the respect and understanding she wants.
A Shared Understanding
During the time Anton is hidden in the garage, Patty and he spend hours talking. Anton, an educated and sensitive young man, listens to Patty's feelings of loneliness and her struggles with her parents' harsh treatment. He sees her intelligence and her desire for affection, offering her the validation and understanding she has never received from her family. Patty learns about Anton's life in Germany and how he came to war. They discover a deep connection, realizing they both feel like outsiders in their worlds. This shared vulnerability strengthens their bond, making their forbidden friendship even more important to Patty.
The Discovery and Anton's Departure
Patty's secret becomes harder to keep. Her younger brother, Sharon, accidentally finds Anton's hiding place, though he initially keeps it to himself. Eventually, Anton's presence is revealed, possibly due to a small mistake or the increasing risk of discovery. Before the authorities arrive, Patty and Anton share a final, emotional moment. Anton, realizing his capture is coming, gives Patty a ring and tells her she is a 'beautiful human being,' a phrase that means a lot to her and becomes a source of self-worth. He is then captured, leaving Patty devastated and alone again.
Patty's Interrogation and Denial
After Anton's capture, Patty is intensely questioned by the FBI and local authorities. They pressure her to reveal the full extent of her involvement and any information about Anton's plans or accomplices. Despite the intimidating situation and threats of severe punishment, Patty remains firm. She invents a story, claiming she found Anton injured and simply helped him, leaving out the depth of their relationship and her active role in hiding him. Her refusal to betray Anton, even under pressure, shows her loyalty and the deep impact he had on her.
Family and Community Reaction
When the truth of Patty's involvement with Anton becomes known, her family and the Jenkinsville community react with outrage and condemnation. Her parents are mortified, seeing her actions as a betrayal of their Jewish heritage and a source of shame. They subject her to more emotional abuse and isolation. The townspeople, already prejudiced against the German prisoners, are shocked by Patty's actions, further shunning her. She becomes an outcast, bearing the brunt of their collective anger and fear, which reinforces her long-held feelings of being an outsider.
Anton's Fate and Patty's Grief
News eventually reaches Jenkinsville that Anton Reiker has been killed while attempting another escape or resisting capture. This news shatters Patty. Anton was the only person who truly understood and valued her, and his death leaves a big hole in her life. She is consumed by grief, but her family offers no comfort, only more condemnation for her attachment to an 'enemy' soldier. Patty's mourning is a solitary and painful experience, solidifying her sense of isolation and her deep internal struggle to accept her feelings for Anton with the world's judgment.
The Trial and Consequences
Due to the seriousness of her actions and community pressure, Patty's parents decide to press charges against her. Patty is tried and found guilty of aiding an enemy combatant. As a result, she is sentenced to a reform school for delinquent girls. This decision, made by her own parents, is the ultimate betrayal and further confirms Patty's belief that she is unloved and unwanted by them. The reform school becomes another form of imprisonment, a place where she must navigate new challenges while still carrying the emotional weight of her past.
Life in Reform School
Life at the reform school is harsh. Patty must follow strict rules and endure the company of other girls who are often tough and cynical. She struggles to adapt to this new environment, longing for the freedom and intellectual stimulation she found with Anton. Despite the difficulties, Patty's time at reform school forces her to grow and develop a stronger sense of self. She learns to rely on her inner strength and resilience, further shaping her into a more independent and self-aware individual, though the scars of her past remain.
A Final Act of Defiance
As time passes, Patty deals with unresolved grief and the need for closure regarding Anton. In a final act of defiance and a show of her lasting love and loyalty, she writes a letter to Anton Reiker's parents in Germany. In this letter, she expresses her condolences and describes the kind and intelligent son they had, hoping to comfort them and honor Anton's memory. This act is deeply personal and goes against everything her family and society expected of her. It is her way of keeping Anton's spirit alive and affirming the validity of their bond, even in death.
Principal Figures
Patty Bergen
The Protagonist
Patty transforms from a lonely, insecure girl into a resilient young woman who learns to trust her own judgment and find strength in her individuality, even when it means defying societal norms.
Anton Reiker
The Supporting/Love Interest
Anton's arc is tragic; he finds a brief moment of connection and humanity with Patty before his inevitable capture and death.
Pearl Bergen
The Antagonist
Pearl remains largely unchanged, reinforcing her role as a source of pain and judgment for Patty.
Harry Bergen
The Antagonist
Harry remains an unyielding and unsupportive figure, ultimately contributing to Patty's institutionalization.
Sharon Bergen
The Supporting
Sharon's arc is minor; he remains a background figure, subtly highlighting Patty's isolation.
Ruth
The Supporting
Ruth consistently offers Patty kindness, acting as a stable, comforting presence.
Mrs. Reeves
The Supporting
Mrs. Reeves remains a static representation of community prejudice.
Themes & Insights
The Search for Love and Acceptance
Patty's main motivation throughout the novel is her desperate need for love and acceptance, which her own family denies her. Her parents, Pearl and Harry, are emotionally distant and critical, constantly belittling her. This emptiness leads her to seek connection elsewhere, finding it in an unexpected place: with Anton Reiker, a German POW. Anton's unconditional kindness and validation, especially when he calls her a 'beautiful human being,' fulfill this deep-seated need, even if only temporarily. The tragic loss of Anton shows how much this acceptance affected Patty's developing sense of self-worth.
“You are a beautiful human being, Patty. Don't ever forget that.”
Prejudice and Discrimination
The novel explores various forms of prejudice and discrimination. The Jenkinsville community has deep animosity towards the German POWs, seeing them as 'Nazis' rather than individuals. Patty, as a Jewish girl, also experiences discrimination and feelings of otherness, both from her own family who criticize her and from the broader community when her actions are revealed. The irony is that Patty, a Jewish girl, finds comfort and understanding with a German soldier, highlighting how arbitrary and destructive prejudice is and how it blinds people to individual humanity. The town's reaction to Patty's actions is fueled by their own biases.
“To the rest of her town, these prisoners are only Nazis. But to Patty, a young Jewish girl with a turbulent home life, one boy in particular becomes an unlikely friend.”
Coming of Age and Identity Formation
Patty's journey is a powerful coming-of-age story. Through her forbidden friendship with Anton, she begins to understand who she is outside of her family's judgmental view. Anton's acceptance allows her to develop self-worth and challenge the negative self-perception instilled by her parents. Her defiance in helping Anton, her refusal to betray him under interrogation, and her eventual letter to his parents all mark important steps in her developing independence and moral compass. The challenges she faces, from community condemnation to reform school, force her to mature and solidify her identity as an independent thinker.
“She had never learned to be afraid to be herself. But then, she had never had a self to be afraid of.”
The Nature of Family
The Bergen family dynamic is central to the novel, showing a dysfunctional household where love and support are missing for Patty. Her parents, Harry and Pearl, show emotional neglect and abuse, prioritizing social standing and their own comfort over Patty's well-being. Their decision to press charges against their own daughter is the ultimate betrayal, highlighting the destructive power of a family that fails to nurture its members. In contrast, Patty finds a surrogate family in her bond with Anton, who offers her the emotional connection her biological family denies. The novel critiques the idea that blood ties automatically mean love and support.
“Patty Bergen knew something exciting was going to happen. But she never could have imagined that her summer would be so memorable.”
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
Forbidden Love/Friendship
A relationship between characters from opposing groups, creating inherent conflict.
The central plot device is the forbidden friendship, which evolves into a form of love, between Patty, a Jewish American girl, and Anton, a German prisoner of war. This relationship immediately creates immense tension and conflict, not only from the external forces of war and societal prejudice but also from Patty's own family and community. It serves as a catalyst for Patty's rebellion and her search for identity, highlighting the arbitrary nature of wartime animosities and the human need for connection that transcends such divisions. The forbidden nature of their bond elevates the stakes for both characters.
The Outsider Motif
Characters who feel alienated from their community or family.
Both Patty and Anton embody the outsider motif. Patty feels alienated within her own family and community due to her parents' constant criticism and her perceived lack of belonging. Anton is an outsider by virtue of being an enemy prisoner of war. Their shared experience of being 'othered' allows them to connect on a deep emotional level. This device emphasizes themes of loneliness, the search for identity, and the profound impact of finding someone who truly understands and accepts you, regardless of societal labels or circumstances. It underscores how shared isolation can forge powerful bonds.
Symbolism of the Garage Room
A hidden space representing sanctuary and forbidden intimacy.
The deserted room above the Bergen family's garage serves as a powerful symbol. It is a secret sanctuary where Patty and Anton can escape the judgment and dangers of the outside world. This hidden space represents the private world they create together, a place of intimacy, understanding, and freedom from the constraints of war and prejudice. It symbolizes Patty's desire for a safe haven and her act of defiance against her oppressive family and society. Its eventual discovery marks the inevitable end of their brief, precious connection.
The Ring
A token of love and validation from Anton to Patty.
The ring Anton gives Patty just before his capture is a significant symbol. It represents his enduring affection, his recognition of her worth, and the profound impact she had on him. For Patty, the ring becomes a tangible reminder of the only person who ever truly saw and valued her. It is a symbol of their forbidden love, a source of strength and self-worth that she carries with her even after Anton's death and through her time in reform school. It signifies the lasting legacy of their connection and her inner resilience.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
“That's how it was with Momma and Poppa; they were always telling me what was wrong with me. Never what was right.”
— Patty reflects on her parents' constant criticism.
“I didn't care if he was a German soldier. He was a human being, and he was kind to me.”
— Patty justifies her feelings for Anton despite his nationality.
“He didn't make fun of me. He didn't tell me I was fat or ugly or stupid. He just looked at me.”
— Patty contrasts Anton's treatment of her with that of her family and peers.
“You can't choose who you love, Patty. It just happens.”
— Ruth, the maid, offers Patty advice about love.
“It was as if I had been waiting for him my whole life, waiting for someone to see me, really see me.”
— Patty describes her immediate connection with Anton.
“A man is a man, no matter where he was born or what uniform he wears.”
— Ruth's philosophy on judging people.
“Sometimes I think I was born in the wrong family, in the wrong town, in the wrong time.”
— Patty expresses her profound sense of alienation.
“Hatred is a poison, Patty. It poisons the one who hates more than the one who is hated.”
— Ruth's wisdom about the destructive nature of hatred.
“He said I was beautiful. No one had ever said that to me before.”
— Patty recalls Anton's compliment, which deeply affects her.
“I knew what I was doing was wrong, according to everyone else. But it felt right to me.”
— Patty reflects on her decision to help Anton, defying societal norms.
“The world was full of people who didn't understand, who judged without knowing.”
— Patty's growing awareness of the world's intolerance.
“He was my German soldier, and I was his American girl, and for a little while, that was all that mattered.”
— Patty encapsulates the essence of her relationship with Anton.
“Sometimes, the hardest thing you can do is stand up for what you believe in, especially when no one else does.”
— An implicit lesson Patty learns through her actions.
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Key Questions (FAQ)
Patty's central conflict stems from her desperate need for love and acceptance, which she doesn't receive from her emotionally abusive parents. This void leads her to seek solace and understanding in forbidden relationships, primarily with Anton, a German POW, and later with Ruth, her family's Black housekeeper, challenging societal norms and family expectations.
About the author
Bette Greene was an American author best known for her poignant young adult novel, "Summer of My German Soldier." Published in 1973, the book explored themes of prejudice and friendship during World War II and earned critical acclaim. Greene's writing often delved into complex social issues with sensitivity and depth.
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