Awards

• Short-listed for Chocolate Lily Book Award 2017 (Canada)
• Short-listed for Golden Oak Award 2017 (Canada)
• Short-listed for TD Canadian Children's Literature Award 2016 (Canada)
• Winner of Best Books for Kids & Teens selection 2016 (Canada)

Overview

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).

Full Product Details

9781927485835

Table of Contents

Reviews

The story, it turns out, is not about prisoners or the ravages of war so much as it is about kindness and humanity - a powerful message equally relevant today...[A]t its heart, this family tale is a tender evocation of empathy, bravery, and friendship Quill & Quire Benoit's realistic watercolour, coloured pencil, and pastel illustrations employ an earthy palette that brings this heartfelt story to life... [T]he overarching theme of kindness in a time of mistrust and suspicion gives the story a universal appeal that will likely spur many thoughtful discussions. Highly Recommended. CM Magazine This story reminds us that friendship has no borders. Beautiful watercolour drawings and original photographs make this a great book for youngsters. Calgary Herald Ontario artist Renne Benoit's gentle paintings help show compassion is possible even in times of war. The Winnipeg Free Press

Based on a true story, this precious gem evokes compassion in a way that is sure to resonate with young audiences... Photos preceding and following the text document what Gerda, her family, and the farm looked like. Illustrations done in watercolor and colored pencil, with a touch of pastel, create a beautiful backdrop that darkens and lightens with the tone of the narrative. VERDICT Purchase where nuanced portrayals of family during World War II are needed. Keep the tissues close by! School Library Journal Benoit's watercolor and colored-pencil illustrations...combine precise details...with a softness and warmth that convey the tenderness of memory. She strikes a tone of gentle sweetness...that, like the text, is never sappy. Children will find many things to notice, and the book raises some interesting questions, such as the complicated idea of who is an 'enemy.' The Horn Book Magazine A tender memoir of human decency during wartime...The addition of old family photos from that time is poignant. This heartfelt picture book helps readers appreciate wartime's toll. Kirkus Reviews The story, it turns out, is not about prisoners or the ravages of war so much as it is about kindness and humanity - a powerful message equally relevant today...[A]t its heart, this family tale is a tender evocation of empathy, bravery, and friendship Quill & Quire Benoit's realistic watercolour, coloured pencil, and pastel illustrations employ an earthy palette that brings this heartfelt story to life... [T]he overarching theme of kindness in a time of mistrust and suspicion gives the story a universal appeal that will likely spur many thoughtful discussions. Highly Recommended. CM Magazine Based on her mother's childhood memories of Germany during World War II, Michelle Barker's book is a poignant account of one family's brave acts of kindness in an atmosphere thick with fear and distrust...Renne Benoit's watercolour, coloured pencil and pastel illustrations convey a pastoral environment imbued with the bleakness of war. Canadian Children's BookNews This story reminds us that friendship has no borders. Beautiful watercolour drawings and original photographs make this a great book for youngsters. Calgary Herald Ontario artist Renne Benoit's gentle paintings help show compassion is possible even in times of war. The Winnipeg Free Press If you like books that inspire lots of questions from your kids, this is a good one. Victoria Times Colonist A Year of Borrowed Men contributes positively and significantly to our understanding of the compassion of some of the German populace who placed themselves in an almost untenable psychological and ideological situation. Resource Links

Benoit's realistic watercolour, coloured pencil, and pastel illustrations employ an earthy palette that brings this heartfelt story to life... [T]he overarching theme of kindness in a time of mistrust and suspicion gives the story a universal appeal that will likely spur many thoughtful discussions. Highly Recommended. CM Magazine

Based on a true story, this precious gem evokes compassion in a way that is sure to resonate with young audiences... Photos preceding and following the text document what Gerda, her family, and the farm looked like. Illustrations done in watercolor and colored pencil, with a touch of pastel, create a beautiful backdrop that darkens and lightens with the tone of the narrative. VERDICT Purchase where nuanced portrayals of family during World War II are needed. Keep the tissues close by! School Library Journal Benoit's watercolor and colored-pencil illustrations...combine precise details...with a softness and warmth that convey the tenderness of memory. She strikes a tone of gentle sweetness...that, like the text, is never sappy. Children will find many things to notice, and the book raises some interesting questions, such as the complicated idea of who is an 'enemy.' The Horn Book Magazine A tender memoir of human decency during wartime...The addition of old family photos from that time is poignant. This heartfelt picture book helps readers appreciate wartime's toll. Kirkus Reviews The story, it turns out, is not about prisoners or the ravages of war so much as it is about kindness and humanity - a powerful message equally relevant today...[A]t its heart, this family tale is a tender evocation of empathy, bravery, and friendship Quill & Quire Benoit's realistic watercolour, coloured pencil, and pastel illustrations employ an earthy palette that brings this heartfelt story to life... [T]he overarching theme of kindness in a time of mistrust and suspicion gives the story a universal appeal that will likely spur many thoughtful discussions. Highly Recommended. CM Magazine Based on her mother's childhood memories of Germany during World War II, Michelle Barker's book is a poignant account of one family's brave acts of kindness in an atmosphere thick with fear and distrust...Renne Benoit's watercolour, coloured pencil and pastel illustrations convey a pastoral environment imbued with the bleakness of war. Canadian Children's BookNews A fine story of 'borrowed men' and their effects evolves in a story seldom told for this age range. Midwest Book Review A Year of Borrowed Men contributes positively and significantly to our understanding of the compassion of some of the German populace who placed themselves in an almost untenable psychological and ideological situation. Resource Links This story reminds us that friendship has no borders. Beautiful watercolour drawings and original photographs make this a great book for youngsters. Calgary Herald Ontario artist Renne Benoit's gentle paintings help show compassion is possible even in times of war. The Winnipeg Free Press If you like books that inspire lots of questions from your kids, this is a good one. Victoria Times Colonist This story shares that no matter the situation, kindness and friendship can be shown to those around you...Recommended. School Library Connection A simple story which can teach young children to see the humanity of people at war. Youth Services Book Reviews A beautiful, poignant story that subtly introduces humanity during times of war. Books for the Curious Child Read this brave, kindhearted story with children ages 4 and up. Warm, homey illustrations strike a gentle tone throughout. An Author's Note tells more about the harrowing war experiences of the author's mother. Orange Marmalade Books This story of kindness, friendship, and a loving family is illustrated realistically with watercolor, colored pencils, and pastel to evoke the warmth of the situation at a time when there was little hope for many. The addition of family photos and an author's note add clarity. This is a story to be shared...at a Remembrance Day Service...or at Christmas, a time of giving and for being kind and thankful. Sal's Fiction Addiction

Based on a true story, this precious gem evokes compassion in a way that is sure to resonate with young audiences... Photos preceding and following the text document what Gerda, her family, and the farm looked like. Illustrations done in watercolor and colored pencil, with a touch of pastel, create a beautiful backdrop that darkens and lightens with the tone of the narrative. VERDICT Purchase where nuanced portrayals of family during World War II are needed. Keep the tissues close by! School Library Journal Benoit's watercolor and colored-pencil illustrations...combine precise details...with a softness and warmth that convey the tenderness of memory. She strikes a tone of gentle sweetness...that, like the text, is never sappy. Children will find many things to notice, and the book raises some interesting questions, such as the complicated idea of who is an 'enemy.' The Horn Book Magazine A tender memoir of human decency during wartime...The addition of old family photos from that time is poignant. This heartfelt picture book helps readers appreciate wartime's toll. Kirkus Reviews The story, it turns out, is not about prisoners or the ravages of war so much as it is about kindness and humanity - a powerful message equally relevant today...[A]t its heart, this family tale is a tender evocation of empathy, bravery, and friendship Quill & Quire Benoit's realistic watercolour, coloured pencil, and pastel illustrations employ an earthy palette that brings this heartfelt story to life... [T]he overarching theme of kindness in a time of mistrust and suspicion gives the story a universal appeal that will likely spur many thoughtful discussions. Highly Recommended. CM Magazine Based on her mother's childhood memories of Germany during World War II, Michelle Barker's book is a poignant account of one family's brave acts of kindness in an atmosphere thick with fear and distrust...Renne Benoit's watercolour, coloured pencil and pastel illustrations convey a pastoral environment imbued with the bleakness of war. Canadian Children's BookNews A fine story of 'borrowed men' and their effects evolves in a story seldom told for this age range. Midwest Book Review A Year of Borrowed Men contributes positively and significantly to our understanding of the compassion of some of the German populace who placed themselves in an almost untenable psychological and ideological situation. Resource Links This story reminds us that friendship has no borders. Beautiful watercolour drawings and original photographs make this a great book for youngsters. Calgary Herald Ontario artist Renne Benoit's gentle paintings help show compassion is possible even in times of war. The Winnipeg Free Press If you like books that inspire lots of questions from your kids, this is a good one. Victoria Times Colonist This story shares that no matter the situation, kindness and friendship can be shown to those around you...Recommended. School Library Connection A simple story which can teach young children to see the humanity of people at war. Youth Services Book Reviews A beautiful, poignant story that subtly introduces humanity during times of war. Books for the Curious Child

Benoit's realistic watercolour, coloured pencil, and pastel illustrations employ an earthy palette that brings this heartfelt story to life... [T]he overarching theme of kindness in a time of mistrust and suspicion gives the story a universal appeal that will likely spur many thoughtful discussions. Highly Recommended. CM Magazine This story reminds us that friendship has no borders. Beautiful watercolour drawings and original photographs make this a great book youngsters. Calgary Herald

Author Information

Michelle Barker wrote A Year of Borrowed Men from the early childhood memories of her mother, Gerda. A versatile writer, Michelle has published short fiction; nonfiction; a fantasy novel, The Beggar King; and a book of poetry. She has lived and traveled in many places with her husband and four children, settling most recently in Penticton, British Columbia. Renne Benoit is the award-winning illustrator of more than 15 books for children. She has won the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Award for Children's Literature for Proud as a Peacock, Brave as a Lion; the OLA Silver Birch Express Award for The Secret of the Village Fool; and the Christie Harris Illustrated Children's Literature Prize for Fraser Bear and Goodbye to Griffith Street. Big City Bees was nominated for the Governor General's Award. Renne lives in St. Thomas, Ontario.

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