Got this at the Book Thing of Baltimore. I have been wanting to read it for a while, so I wrapped it up and set it aside until I forgot all about it. A few months back, I unwrapped it and read it. Here's what I thought:

I think I would have adored this book if I'd read it as a pre-teen or teen. As an adult, however, all I wanted to do was reach in there and hug Patty. She's got an absent mother, a physically abusive father, and a close-minded home town. No wonder she fell in love with the first complex character who came her way and offered her not only friendship and affection but also listened to her thoughts and feelings. The fact that he was an older, escaped prisoner of war Nazi soldier and she was hiding him illegally... not really a healthy situation for her. Younger me would have been swept away by the taboo forbidden romance and extreme feelings as she tries to navigate the complexities of emotion and morality. Older me, however, was just plain worried about her. 12 years old is well below the age of consent. And while Anton seems to have liked her and wasn't just using her for this escape/hiding, he was still causing her to do something illegal, which is just not the best basis for a loving relationship.

The only decent character was the black housekeeper, Ruth. She genuinely cares for Patty the way her parents don't and wants the best for her future. But she's limited in what she can do by society. In fact, the imposed limitations of culture and society is a huge theme throughout the book, as this young Jewish girl befriends this German soldier.

The story was sad, tragic, and unhealthy. I felt like Patty was getting manipulated and teased a number of times, but she didn't seem to realize it herself. But I also felt like Patty's emotions (such as they are for a young teenage girl) were genuine and her heart was pure and good. The kindness she showed a German, the understanding she was able to have, and her desire to have more than her little life had for her all made her a great main character. But I still don't think she should have been in that situation.

Taking to a BCinDC meetup, in case someone wants it. Enjoy!

Gotten at BCinDC Oct. meet-up.

Being released at the annual BCinDC "1st Line Wrap it Up" holiday party.
the 1st line of this book is

"When I saw the crowd gathering at the train station, I worried what President Roosevelt would think."

To the person who finds this book.....
Keep it or release it, read it or not, but please make a journal entry to let me know it's been found. Keep it, pass it on to a friend or release it into the wild.... let the journey continue.....

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This is one of the books that came home from last weekend's BC-in-DC holiday party with me. I'm setting this aside to bring to one of the book festivals next spring.

This book will be available at the BookCrossing booth at the festival.

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