About this item
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 friendlyWriting 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.
About the Author
Michelle Barker was born in Vancouver, BC. She received a Bachelor of Arts in English literature from UBC, and went on to work as an editor and researcher before turning to writing full time. Her newest novel, The House of One Thousand Eyes, was named a YA Buzz Book for Fall 2018 by Publishers' Lunch, as well as a Junior Library Guild gold standard pick. Kirkus Reviews called it "stunning and compassionate." It has received three starred reviews--from Kirkus, School Library Journal, and School Library Connection.Michelle is also the author of A Year of Borrowed Men, a historical picture book and finalist for the TD Canadian Children's Literature Award. She has published short fiction, non-fiction, and poetry in literary reviews, magazines and newspapers around the world. In 2002, she won a gold National Magazine Award in personal journalism. Her chapbook, Old Growth, Clear-Cut: Poems of Haida Gwaii, was published by Leaf Press in 2012. Her first novel, The Beggar King, was published by Thistledown Press.Michelle has sailed across the Pacific Ocean, lived in Israel, France, and Quebec, gotten lost in the woods (twice) , and won an epic canoe race across Moraine Lake in Alberta. She is divorced with four children, and lives in Vancouver, BC. She has an MFA in creative writing from UBC, works as an editor and mentor, and does triathlons. Please visit her at www.michellebarker.ca
