A Year of Borrowed Men

by Michelle Barker, Renne Benoit (Illustrator)

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. Renné 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).

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781927485835
Publisher:	Pajama Press Inc.
Publication date:	05/03/2016
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	10.20(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	6 - 9 Years

About the Author

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.

Renné 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. Renné lives in St. Thomas, Ontario.

Read an Excerpt

I was seven when the French prisoners of war arrived at our house.

It was 1944. Mummy told us the government had sent them because all our men were gone to war, and someone needed to keep the farms running. She said we were just borrowing the French men. When the war was over, we would give them back.

Editorial Reviews

About A Year of Borrowed Men

2016 TD Canadian Children's Literature Award shortlist

2017 Golden Oak Award shortlist

2017 Chocolate Lily Book Award shortlist

2016 Canadian Children's Book Centre Best Books for Kids & Teens selection

"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

"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

"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

"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 Magazine

"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...Renné Benoit's watercolour, coloured pencil and pastel illustrations convey a pastoral environment imbued with the bleakness of war."—Canadian Children's Book News

"A simple story which can teach young children to see the humanity of people at war."—Youth Services Book Review

"This story shares that no matter the situation, kindness and friendship can be shown to those around you...Recommended."—School Library Connection

"A fine story of 'borrowed men' and their effects evolves in a story seldom told for this age range."—Midwest Book Review

"Ontario artist Renné Benoit's gentle paintings help show compassion is possible even in times of war."—Winnipeg Free Press

"This story reminds us that friendship has no borders. Beautiful watercolour drawings and original photographs make this a great book for youngsters."—Calgary Herald

"If you like books that inspire lots of questions from your kids, this is a good one."—Victoria Times Colonist

"Although the story covers the year the POWs were at the Schlottke's farm, because of the number of pages devoted to Christmas, it makes a nice holiday story, as well. There may not have been Peace of Earth at that time, but at least on one farm there was Goodwill towards men."—The Children's War

"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

"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

"The text is clear and accessible to young readers. The narrative is interesting for reading aloud....I have no hesitation in recommending this book for families, meetings, and schools....This book reminds me that...friendship is a precious fruit of peace that requires eternal vigilance and attention to the little things."—Friends Journal

"[T]his book is a very human look at hard times in European history. Full of tender and sweet moments and the harsh realities of suspicion sand cruelties of war."—There's a Book for That

"A beautiful, poignant story that subtly introduces humanity during times of war."—Books for the Curious Child

“[A]nother beautiful book, both in words and illustrations...”—Book Time

“I enjoyed this story as I didn’t know this happened….The illustrations by Renne Benoit are also beautiful and I loved the author’s note, and family photos, at the back.”—Newmarket Today

From the Publisher

A beautiful, poignant story that subtly introduces humanity during times of war.

Books for the Curious Child

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

If you like books that inspire lots of questions from your kids, this is a good one.

Victoria Times Colonist

A simple story which can teach young children to see the humanity of people at war.

Youth Services Book Reviews

This story shares that no matter the situation, kindness and friendship can be shown to those around you...Recommended.

School Library Connection

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

A fine story of 'borrowed men' and their effects evolves in a story seldom told for this age range.

Midwest Book Review

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

[T]his book is a very human look at hard times in European history. Full of tender and sweet moments and the harsh realities of suspicion sand cruelties of war.

There's a Book For That

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…Renné 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 Renné Benoit's gentle paintings help show compassion is possible even in times of war.

The Winnipeg Free Press

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

The text is clear and accessible to young readers. The narrative is interesting for reading aloud….I have no hesitation in recommending this book for families, meetings, and schools….This book reminds me that…friendship is a precious fruit of peace that requires eternal vigilance and attention to the little things.

Friends Journal

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

Although the story covers the year the POWs were at the Schlottke’s farm, because of the number of pages devoted to Christmas, it makes a nice holiday story, as well. There may not have been Peace of Earth at that time, but at least on one farm there was Goodwill towards men.

The Children's War

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

If you like books that inspire lots of questions from your kids, this is a good one.

Vitoria Times Colonist

05/01/2016
Gr 1–3—Based on a true story, this precious gem evokes compassion in a way that is sure to resonate with young audiences. Told from the perspective of seven-year-old Gerda, the tale explores the warmth that can exist among individuals whose countries are at war with one another. Gerda's "borrowed men" are three French prisoners of war during World War II. The men have been sent to work on her family's farm in Germany at the same time that her father has been sent into battle. The generosity and human kindness shown by Gerda's family—especially by the little girl herself—are contrasted with the cold, punishing actions of the village policeman, Herr Mohlen. On a particularly cold night, Gerda's mother invites the French POWs (who normally eat, sleep, and live in the pig kitchen, where meals for the pigs are prepared) inside for dinner. The next day, Herr Mohlen "borrows" Gerda's mother and threatens her with prison. The child narrates that a neighbor must have seen them (the author's note explains the promotion and practice of neighbors spying on one another). But friendly bonds are formed in spite of the formidable authorities, and when the war is over, Gerda is just as sad to say goodbye to her amis as they are to leave their little freunde. The concept of "borrowing" in wartime—first introduced by Gerda's mother when explaining the sudden appearance of the French POWs ("She said we were just borrowing the French men") and peppered throughout the text—is sure to spark conversation about the so-called rules of war, especially with the reveal in the author's note that Gerda's father (also referred to as "borrowed") and, later, her brother Franz die in combat. 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!—Gloria Koster, West School, New Canaan, CT

School Library Journal

2016-01-20
A tender memoir of human decency during wartime as seen through the eyes of the author's then-8-year-old mother. The setting for Barker's story is rural Germany toward the end of World War II. Her mother's family has been sent three French prisoners of war to help at the farm, as German menfolk were in short supply. These are the borrowed men. "When the war was over, we would have to give them back." This sentence, early on, conveys the youthful sense of fairness that permeates the book: the Frenchmen should be treated with respect, fed well, allowed to celebrate holidays. Barker's grandmother did just so and quickly learned she would be imprisoned if she continued. Benoit's artwork is a touch sentimental and doughy; still, it is the world of an 8-year-old. Readers will learn some French and German, get a look at life on a farm during wartime, and get the slightest bitter taste of how war changes people: the village policeman used to be kind, "but since the war began, he had changed, and we knew enough to be afraid of him." An author's note reveals that Barker's grandfather would not return from war, nor would her uncle, who is an important character of the story. The addition of old family photos from that time is poignant. This heartfelt picture book helps readers appreciate wartime's toll. (Picture book. 6-9)

Kirkus Reviews