User:Libby2013/Draft of Summer of my German Soldier

=Plot= Patty Bergen has the guilt of hiding a POW that she believes she loves. She is lying to her family and government. "Well, this might be the same prisoner I waited on," she says when asked if she had seen the POW, Anton Rieker. While investigating the escape of Anton, FBI workers and reporters swarm the little Arkansas town. Among these people is Charlene Madlee, the reporter who inspires Patty to do something big, but maybe not being a journalist like Charlene. "A journalists life might be fun but fun, like champagne bubbles, can't completely fill you up." Anton and Patty are tying their bond tighter by sitting in her garage and just talking. Teaching her about words, teaching him about something deeper, emotions. Ruth discovers Anton, but decides that she will keep it a secret "No, Ruth, I'm telling you Yes [sic]. Yes, he's the one." Patty is learns though that perhaps, true love can be the strongest determining factor in even the roughest situations. After finding out about Anton, Ruth decides she must meet him. Before he left, he gave Patty a golden ring "this ring was made by Germany's best goldsmith." Being herself she wanted to tell someone, so she told Sister Parker who immediately grew suspicious. She tells her uptight father who believed her made up story. They immediatley call the sherriff and decide that it is an overreaction. He believed her story about the old man giving it to her, but doesn't think like her dad that he touched her. Patty's father is not so content with the conclusion that nothing inappropriate happened "No, I'm not satisfied. I'm a long way from being satisfied." Later, two FBI agents come to the Bergen home to question Patty. They press her until she cracks. They tell her that Anton was killed while trying to escape. She lost her innocence and best friend.

Main Characters
Ruth
 * The Bergen's black maid who takes care of Patty and Sharon. She is very caring of Patty and is the most influential person in her adolescence. Patty's best friend.

Minor Characters
Sister Parker
 * Works at the department store, was there when Anton first came in. The person Patty goes to when Anton gives her the golden ring. Tells Mr. Bergen about the ring after her suspicion grows.

Sheriff Cauldwell
 * The town sheriff who is called when Mr. Bergen believes someone touched Patty. Also, helps with town investigations.

=Reception= Reception: Bette Greene is a well established author who has won many awards for her classic novels. The Summer of my German Soldier has won ALA Notable Book along with New York Times Book of the Year (1973) and National Book Award Finalist. Her work is described as "courageous and compeling." by publishers weekly. She is known for her writing and deep emotion it brings out.

=References= Greene, Bette. Summer of My German Soldier. Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for Young Readers: New York, New York,1993. ISBN 0-440-2189-6