Bette Greene was born in 1934 in Memphis,Tenn. An author of young adult fiction, Greene’s books speak of the problems of growing up, particularly the feeling of being different. Her most popular book, The Summer of My German Soldier (1973), a semi-autobiographical work based on her experiences growing up Jewish in Arkansas during World War II, was adapted as a television movie. It was nominated for a National Book Award (1973), and received an American Library Association Notable Book award (1973), as well as several other awards. It inspired the sequel, Morning is a Long Time Coming (1978). Another book, Philip Hall Likes Me, I Reckon Maybe (1974) received multiple awards including an American Library Association Notable Children’s Book award (1974) and a Newbery Honor Book award (1975)