Things we didn't say / Amy Lynn Green.

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Headstrong Johanna Berglund, a linguistics student at the University of Minnesota, has very definite plans for her future . . . plans that do not include returning to her hometown and the secrets and heartaches she left behind there. But the US Army wants her to work as a translator at a nearby camp for German POWs.

Johanna arrives to find the once-sleepy town exploding with hostility. Most patriotic citizens want nothing to do with German soldiers laboring in their fields, and they're not afraid to criticize those who work at the camp as well. When Johanna describes the trouble to her friend Peter Ito, a language instructor at a school for military intelligence officers, he encourages her to give the town that rejected her a second chance.

As Johanna interacts with the men of the camp and censors their letters home, she begins to see the prisoners in a more sympathetic light. But advocating for better treatment makes her enemies in the community, especially when charismatic German spokesman Stefan Werner begins to show interest in Johanna and her work. The longer Johanna wages her home-front battle, the more the lines between compassion and treason become blurred--and it's no longer clear whom she can trust.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Library Journal Review

DEBUT Johanna Berglund is accused of helping two German prisoners of war escape during World War II and faces charges of treason. In her defense, she assembles a collection of letters, telegrams, and newspaper articles that detail her relationships and actions over the past year as a translator and censor for Camp Ironside in rural Minnesota. The brilliant and socially awkward Johanna at first thinks her military assignment is an unnecessary detour, but she soon develops a rapport with the Germans. Her most frequent correspondent, Nisei language instructor Peter Ito, warns her it could be dangerous to get too close to the enemy. However, Peter's descriptions of his treatment at the hands of the U.S. Army while his family is in internment camps only strengthens Johanna's resolve to advocate for the prisoners. The entire story is creatively told through letters, which heightens the mystery of who the real traitor is. VERDICT Green's debut is a memorable and moving exploration of prejudice and friendship across ethnic and gender lines. For readers who enjoy tales of ordinary people thrust into extraordinary historical situations à la Susan Meissner and Lisa Wingate.--Christine Barth, Scott Cty. Lib. Syst., IA

Booklist Review

After leaving her hometown for a future in academia, gifted linguist Johanna Berglund finds herself back in Ironside Lake, Minnesota, in 1944, serving as translator for the new German prisoners-of-war camp. Privy to the prisoners' private correspondence with loved ones, Johanna starts to see the men not with disdain as the enemy but instead with respect for fellow humans. She begins questioning her understanding of the American dream, with its inherent darkness and hypocrisy, but without dangerously compromising her loyalty to country. Caught between two worlds, Johanna struggles to assess the power of propaganda and the cost of compassion. Green proves to be a first-rate author in her remarkable first novel about humanity and patriotism. Things We Didn't Say is told entirely through letters, in which readers follow the correspondence of Johanna, POWs, military commanders, and community members, watching their fascinating, complex story unfold. Through her ambitious use of this limiting format, Green brilliantly creates a limitless and captivating reading experience with the nuance and wisdom of a seasoned writer. The timeless dichotomy of forgiveness and justice rings with contemporary relevance, and Johanna will be a well-loved heroine for her gumption, humility, and wit.

Author notes provided by Syndetics

Amy Lynn Green is a publicist by day and a freelance writer on nights and weekends. She was the 2014 winner of the Family Fiction short story contest, and her articles have been featured in Crosswalk, Focus on the Family magazines, and other faith-based publications over the past 10 years. This is her first novel. Learn more at www.amygreenbooks.com.