When World War II "borrows" the men in seven-year-old Gerda's family, the German government sends them three new men in return: Gabriel, Fermaine, and Albert, French prisoners of war who must sleep in an outbuilding and work the farm until the war is over. Gerda knows they are supposed to treat the men as enemies, but it doesn't seem fair. Can't they invite them into the warm house for one meal? What harm could it do to be friendly? Writing from her mother's childhood memories of Germany during World War II, Michelle Barker shares the story of one family's daring kindness in a time of widespread anger and suspicion. Renn Benoit's illustrations bring warmth to the era, showing the small ways in which a forbidden friendship bloomed: good food, a much-loved doll, a secret Christmas tree. Family photographs and an Author's Note give further insight into the life of Gerda, the little girl who proved that it isn't so far from Feinde (enemies) to Freunde (friends).
Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Pajama Press
Published: 05/03/2016
ISBN: 9781927485835
Pages: 40
Weight: 1.00lbs
Size: 9.20h x 10.40w x 0.40d
Review Citations: Quill & Quire 12/01/2015 pg. 40
Kirkus Reviews 02/15/2016
Booklist 03/01/2016 pg. 92
Horn Book Magazine 05/01/2016 pg. 73
School Library Journal 05/01/2016 pg. 128
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2016 - Superior,Well Above Average