"Things We Didn't Say" by Amy Lynn Green

 


Linguist Johanna Berglund dreams of studying in Oxford one day, though her plans are on hold as WWII rages. When her small Minnesota hometown opens a German POW camp, Johanna seems like the perfect liaison between the prisoners and the staff. Spirited Jo refuses at first, but circumstances force her hand.

As Jo works with the prisoners and censors their letters, she begins to see the men as more than captured Nazis. They have loved ones left at home, pride in their families, and talents and interests in need of outlets. The town of Ironside Lake has mixed feelings about the POW camp, and most are dead set against it. Is there anything Jo can do to humanize the prisoners in the eyes of the town?

This epistolary novel is told through a variety of letters and newspaper articles. Most of the letters are between Johanna and her Japanese friend Peter Ito, who works with the Army giving a crash course on the Japanese language to American soldiers before they ship out. Jo relies on Peter to tell her the truth when her own opinions may get in the way of things. 

Jo, Peter, the POWs, and the citizens of Ironside Lake are vividly and skillfully brought to life in a non-traditional but gripping format. I loved how the issues of the day were explored, especially the attitudes toward stateside POW camps and Japanese Americans. Johanna's personality in particular shines bright. I'd recommend this book for anyone who loves history and stories that are just a little bit different.

I received my copy of the book from the publisher. All thoughts in this review are my own.