Bette Greene

Bette Greene (1934-2020) was an American author known for writing young adult novels that explored themes of prejudice, injustice, and social isolation. Her most acclaimed work, "Summer of My German Soldier" (1973), drew from her experiences as a Jewish girl growing up in the American South during World War II. Greene's childhood in Parkin, Arkansas, where her family ran a general store, significantly influenced her writing. Being one of the few Jewish people in a predominantly Christian community shaped her perspective on discrimination and outsider status, themes that would become central to her literary work. Her novel "Philip Hall Likes Me, I Reckon Maybe" received a Newbery Honor, while "Summer of My German Soldier" garnered multiple awards including the Golden Kite Award and was adapted into a television film. Her later work "The Drowning of Stephan Jones" continued to address difficult social issues, focusing on anti-gay violence and prejudice. Greene attended Columbia University and maintained a career spanning several decades, producing works that remained relevant for their frank examination of prejudice and social justice issues. Her books have become staples in middle school and high school curricula, particularly for their authentic portrayal of discrimination and moral courage.

Readers appreciate Greene's unflinching portrayal of prejudice and injustice, particularly in Summer of My German Soldier and Philip Hall Likes Me. I Reckon Maybe. Many note her ability to write complex child characters who face harsh realities. Common praise focuses on: - Raw emotional impact - Historical accuracy and detail - Realistic dialogue and relationships - Treatment of difficult themes through a youth perspective Frequent criticisms include: - Slow pacing in early chapters - Depressing/heavy content for young readers - Some dated language and attitudes - Abrupt endings Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - Summer of My German Soldier: 3.8/5 (31k ratings) - Philip Hall Likes Me: 3.5/5 (2.8k ratings) - Morning Is a Long Time Coming: 3.7/5 (1.9k ratings) Amazon: - Summer of My German Soldier: 4.5/5 - Philip Hall Likes Me: 4.3/5 Multiple readers describe her work as "gut-wrenching" and "honest" while noting the books can be "emotionally draining" to read.

Summer of My German Soldier (1973) A young Jewish girl in Arkansas during World War II befriends a German POW, facing consequences from her community while learning about love, prejudice, and moral courage.

Philip Hall Likes Me, I Reckon Maybe (1974) An 11-year-old girl in rural Arkansas navigates friendship, rivalry, and self-discovery while trying to prove herself equal to the boy she admires.

Morning Is a Long Time Coming (1978) A sequel to Summer of My German Soldier following Patty Bergen as she travels to Germany after high school to find closure about her past.

Get On Out of Here, Philip Hall (1981) The sequel to Philip Hall Likes Me features Beth Lambert continuing to compete with Philip while dealing with changes in their rural Arkansas community.

The Drowning of Stephan Jones (1991) A teenage girl confronts homophobia and violence in her small town while questioning her relationship with a prejudiced boyfriend.

Katherine Paterson writes about young protagonists facing harsh realities and family struggles with similar emotional depth to Greene. Her works like "Bridge to Terabithia" and "Jacob Have I Loved" tackle isolation and prejudice through the lens of youth.

Judy Blume explores complex social issues and coming-of-age themes in realistic settings. Her books address discrimination and societal pressures while centering on young characters discovering their identity and values.

Lois Lowry creates narratives dealing with serious themes including war, persecution, and moral choices. Her works like "Number the Stars" and "The Giver" examine prejudice and social justice through both historical and speculative fiction.

Paula Fox writes about young characters confronting difficult truths about society and human nature. Her works focus on outsiders and individuals facing moral dilemmas in challenging social circumstances.

Mildred D. Taylor chronicles experiences of racial discrimination and injustice through historical fiction set in the American South. Her works, including "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry," share Greene's commitment to examining prejudice through young protagonists' perspectives.