Summer of My German Soldier

Reach for this book when your child feels like an outsider within their own home or is beginning to challenge the 'us versus them' mentalities of their community. Set in rural Arkansas during World War II, it follows 12-year-old Patty Bergen, a Jewish girl who feels unloved by her abusive father and cold mother. When she strikes up a secret, profound friendship with an escaped German prisoner of war named Anton, she discovers a sense of worth that her family has denied her. This story is a powerful exploration of empathy, the complexity of moral choices, and the pain of standing up for what is right when everyone else says you are wrong. It is best suited for mature middle schoolers, as it deals directly with themes of emotional and physical abuse, prejudice, and the heavy consequences of personal integrity.