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Description edit see section history

Minutes before the train pulled into the station in Jenkinsville, Arkansas, Patty Bergen knew something exciting was going to happen. But she never could have imagined that her summer would be so memorable. German prisoners of war have arrived to make their new home in the prison camp in... read more

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Quotes edit see section history

  • “Watch your weight at your own house. Here, when my children and grandchildren come to visit, I cook.”
    Grandma
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  • Once you know the secret, then nobody’s river can bring you down.
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First Sentence edit see section history

WHEN I SAW the crowd gathering at the train station, I worried what President Roosevelt would think.

Themes & Symbolism edit see section history

  • To do what you believe is right: The story is about a girl who goes out and does something which she believes is correct. She doesn't see him as a Nazi but a lonely scarred boy who would never hurt her, so she helps him. She goes with her heart and doesn't care where he comes from, if her country is at war with his, and if she is Jewish and he is a Nazi.
  • Listen to your heart: Although everyone is telling Patty how horrible the Germans are, she trusts Anton and falls in love with him. Although she is aware that she is putting herself in danger, she doesn't care because she is in love with Anton.

Series & Lists edit see section history

This book is in Dysfunctional Families. (community list)
This is book 55 of 98 in ALA's Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books: 2000-2009. (authoritative list)

Preceded by The Facts Speak for Themselves, and followed by When Dad Killed Mom.

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

  1. Bette Greene (Author)

First Edition edit see section history

Original Language: English
Publisher: Thorndike Press
Country: Add the country of publication.
Publication Date: 2005
ISBN: 0786273615
Page Count: 313

Classification edit see section history

Notes for Parents edit see section history

Reading Level: Young Adults

This story has mild child abuse but other then that it isn't a violent book. It is a love story but, most of it is just friendship besides the end when they kiss. Nothing more then that. Children may not get the seriousness of ww2 and discrimination. They probably will not get the story because it makes you think all the time. It is a very powerful story that all teens should read.


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