What do you think?
Rate this book
My Mother’s Friend
Winner of the 2023 Global Book Awards Gold Medal
Highly Recommended 5-Star Award of Excellence from the Historical Fiction Company
************
The year is 1944…
Seventeen-year-old Phee Swensson, a gifted pianist who lives in Algona, Iowa, is stressing about her senior year of high school while caring for her family after her mother’s death. When her pastor father takes her to visit the nearby prisoner of war camp, the last thing she expects to find is friendship with a German POW who shares her passion for music.
After she is recruited as the accompanist for the POW choir, Phee begins to spend more time with her new friend who she initially considers “the enemy.” But their friendship strengthens, and inevitably, they fall in love, a forbidden love. But Phee is a pastor’s daughter, and her conflicting feelings torment her. Can she set aside her conditioned beliefs and follow her heart? And if she does, what will be the result?
Their love deepens, but as the moment draws near for the POWs to leave Camp Algona after the war ends, Phee has a life-altering decision to make.
Read now for a moving historical fiction story set in small-town America during World War II. Young readers and adults alike will fall for this first-love story featuring age-gap angst, thrilling suspenseful nights, and impossible life decisions. My Mother’s Friend contains both a past storyline and a more contemporary one to tell its timeless story.
Highly Recommended 5-Star Award of Excellence from the Historical Fiction Company
************
The year is 1944…
Seventeen-year-old Phee Swensson, a gifted pianist who lives in Algona, Iowa, is stressing about her senior year of high school while caring for her family after her mother’s death. When her pastor father takes her to visit the nearby prisoner of war camp, the last thing she expects to find is friendship with a German POW who shares her passion for music.
After she is recruited as the accompanist for the POW choir, Phee begins to spend more time with her new friend who she initially considers “the enemy.” But their friendship strengthens, and inevitably, they fall in love, a forbidden love. But Phee is a pastor’s daughter, and her conflicting feelings torment her. Can she set aside her conditioned beliefs and follow her heart? And if she does, what will be the result?
Their love deepens, but as the moment draws near for the POWs to leave Camp Algona after the war ends, Phee has a life-altering decision to make.
Read now for a moving historical fiction story set in small-town America during World War II. Young readers and adults alike will fall for this first-love story featuring age-gap angst, thrilling suspenseful nights, and impossible life decisions. My Mother’s Friend contains both a past storyline and a more contemporary one to tell its timeless story.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
377 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 6, 2022
129 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 7, 2022
I strongly recommend this book.
Bond’s well-written historical novel “My Mother’s Friend” takes a closer look at an aspect of WWII fiction that has not been widely explored: the war's effects on the US home front. In particular, it examines how the placement of a German prisoner of war camp in a small Iowa town affects the residents, especially the life of one teenage girl. When Phee, a musically gifted high schooler, meets an equally musically gifted German POW, their meeting develops into a friendship that evolves into a romantic relationship, one that changes lives forever.
The book’s characters are very well developed, and Bond’s depiction of daily life during the war–in a location far from the fighting– is quite cinematic, creating crisp images in the reader’s mind of life with sugar and gas rationing, fear of “the enemy” two miles away, and dread of the bad news that a Western Union messenger may bring at any time via a knock on the front door. Phee’s 1940s life is richly drawn in descriptions of school activities, cooking for the family in a kitchen I can fully imagine, and hanging clean clothes in the basement to dry. Bond creates a rich picture of the lives of many families during that period. Phee’s own peaceful existence is shattered, however, by her growing affection for Horst, her German friend, and their improbable coming together across barriers imposed by culture and war.
Along with creating a fleshed-out depiction of life in Algona, Iowa during this time, Bond has obviously researched the history of the Algona POW camp itself and the treatment of the prisoners there, as well as the reception given to the camp and its 3,000 occupants by the local townspeople. Local responses to the new neighbors ranged from full acceptance to minimal tolerance, all nicely portrayed in Bond’s writing. Prisoners in Algona were, for the most part, treated quite well by the US military. Music, a central element of Phee’s growing friendship with Horst, was a large part of the prisoners’ lives in the camp. Some prisoners were even hired by farmers there to help work the fields during a time when many local men were fighting in either the European or Pacific theatres.
I recommend this book highly and have high hopes for a sequel. Historical fiction based largely on facts is my favorite genre, but this time the story was close to home. Bond’s description of smalltown Midwesterners facing a once-in-a-lifetime event allowed me to fully imagine how I myself might have reacted.
Bond’s well-written historical novel “My Mother’s Friend” takes a closer look at an aspect of WWII fiction that has not been widely explored: the war's effects on the US home front. In particular, it examines how the placement of a German prisoner of war camp in a small Iowa town affects the residents, especially the life of one teenage girl. When Phee, a musically gifted high schooler, meets an equally musically gifted German POW, their meeting develops into a friendship that evolves into a romantic relationship, one that changes lives forever.
The book’s characters are very well developed, and Bond’s depiction of daily life during the war–in a location far from the fighting– is quite cinematic, creating crisp images in the reader’s mind of life with sugar and gas rationing, fear of “the enemy” two miles away, and dread of the bad news that a Western Union messenger may bring at any time via a knock on the front door. Phee’s 1940s life is richly drawn in descriptions of school activities, cooking for the family in a kitchen I can fully imagine, and hanging clean clothes in the basement to dry. Bond creates a rich picture of the lives of many families during that period. Phee’s own peaceful existence is shattered, however, by her growing affection for Horst, her German friend, and their improbable coming together across barriers imposed by culture and war.
Along with creating a fleshed-out depiction of life in Algona, Iowa during this time, Bond has obviously researched the history of the Algona POW camp itself and the treatment of the prisoners there, as well as the reception given to the camp and its 3,000 occupants by the local townspeople. Local responses to the new neighbors ranged from full acceptance to minimal tolerance, all nicely portrayed in Bond’s writing. Prisoners in Algona were, for the most part, treated quite well by the US military. Music, a central element of Phee’s growing friendship with Horst, was a large part of the prisoners’ lives in the camp. Some prisoners were even hired by farmers there to help work the fields during a time when many local men were fighting in either the European or Pacific theatres.
I recommend this book highly and have high hopes for a sequel. Historical fiction based largely on facts is my favorite genre, but this time the story was close to home. Bond’s description of smalltown Midwesterners facing a once-in-a-lifetime event allowed me to fully imagine how I myself might have reacted.
October 6, 2022
If you enjoy historical fiction, you will love this book. I never knew there were German prisoner of war camps in the United States. Sally Bond sets her story in the summer of 1944, when there were thousands of German prisoners of war being held in camps throughout the United States. One such camp was in Algona, Iowa. Hundreds of German soldiers were transported there by train to spend the remaining years of the war. Many were used as labor for farming and industry, since the workforce had been depleted when many of the local men were called to service in foreign lands. With World War II as a backdrop, the Swennson family is dealing with life’s changes and challenges. Teenaged Phee Swennson’s mother died two years ago, and she has become the anchor helping her father and siblings navigate homelife. Phee is also a talented pianist and composer who finds interest in the new concert hall at the prisoner of war camp. Inside she finds a beautiful grand piano – and a handsome German soldier, Sgt. Horst Ebinger, playing Beethoven. As the two work together over the next few months, they discover common ground in their music, leading to unexpected adventures and life-altering decisions. This book tells an authentic story of two young adults and leaves you wanting to know more about how their life evolves following their encounter. Also, please give us a sequel Sally!
October 9, 2022
When I first heard of a new historical fiction novel set in WWII Algona, Iowa, I put it at the top of my “to read” list. The Algona POW Camp has gained much public interest the past several years due to the annual display of the beautiful manger scene created by the German prisoners living there during that time.
The story starts out in 1990s Berlin as a young woman reporter is set to interview a famous German conductor, Horst Ebinger. Unknown to him, she is the daughter of Phee, the American teenager who shared his passion for music as their friendship grew during rehearsals and performances at the POW camp he was held in after his capture. Many years later when Phee passes away, her daughter discovers photos and a diary her mother kept revealing her feelings for Horst.
The story then turns to where it began in 1941. Frank Swensson, a Lutheran pastor in Algona, is contacted by an old friend now serving as a chaplain in the Algona POW camp. The family is invited to tour the camp. His daughter, Phee, is not comfortable being there but later is asked to accompany on piano some German prisoners during choir and orchestra rehearsals and performances. She is stunned when she hears a German, Sergeant Ebinger, playing Beethoven. After meeting him, she agrees to return and their musical and personal connections blossom.
I enjoyed so many things about this book. I loved the Swensson family and their closeness. There were many familiar places since I grew up near Algona. Fort Dodge, Okoboji, Mason City are all places I’ve spent time.
I had questions too. I was surprised at the ease in which Phee and her family were able to come to the camp and the many public events that were held there. I wondered how the community felt about having enemy soldiers living comfortably while their young men were off fighting. Later in the story, this did become an issue which seemed more realistic.
If you enjoy historical fiction and are looking for a World War II story with a totally different angle, I highly recommend Sally Jameson Bond’s debut novel, My Mother’s Friend. I look forward to reading more of her work in the future.
The story starts out in 1990s Berlin as a young woman reporter is set to interview a famous German conductor, Horst Ebinger. Unknown to him, she is the daughter of Phee, the American teenager who shared his passion for music as their friendship grew during rehearsals and performances at the POW camp he was held in after his capture. Many years later when Phee passes away, her daughter discovers photos and a diary her mother kept revealing her feelings for Horst.
The story then turns to where it began in 1941. Frank Swensson, a Lutheran pastor in Algona, is contacted by an old friend now serving as a chaplain in the Algona POW camp. The family is invited to tour the camp. His daughter, Phee, is not comfortable being there but later is asked to accompany on piano some German prisoners during choir and orchestra rehearsals and performances. She is stunned when she hears a German, Sergeant Ebinger, playing Beethoven. After meeting him, she agrees to return and their musical and personal connections blossom.
I enjoyed so many things about this book. I loved the Swensson family and their closeness. There were many familiar places since I grew up near Algona. Fort Dodge, Okoboji, Mason City are all places I’ve spent time.
I had questions too. I was surprised at the ease in which Phee and her family were able to come to the camp and the many public events that were held there. I wondered how the community felt about having enemy soldiers living comfortably while their young men were off fighting. Later in the story, this did become an issue which seemed more realistic.
If you enjoy historical fiction and are looking for a World War II story with a totally different angle, I highly recommend Sally Jameson Bond’s debut novel, My Mother’s Friend. I look forward to reading more of her work in the future.
February 26, 2024
Sweet and sad
This is a sweet and sad historical tale of an American high school senior and a German POW in the latter days of WWII, set in the bucolic Midwestern town of Algona, Iowa, where there really was a German POW camp. Basically, the plot is this--Phyllis Ann (Phee) Swensson, the musically gifted daughter of a local Lutheran pastor, is asked to meet with a German prisoner whose idea is to form a maennerchor, a men's choir. The prison camp chaplain has orchestrated this meeting with the idea that Phee could be their accompanist. Though initially cautious with one another, over time they become friends and eventually fall in love. It is a bittersweet love because they know that he will have to return to Germany and she will stay in Iowa and eventually go off to college. Neither one of them wants to think about that, but it is the elephant in the room. So they make time, and what some people might call some questionable decisions, before this happens. And when it does come to pass, Phee waves goodbye to Horst on the train without telling him. Many years later, after her mother's death, Phee's daughter Mollie, now a successful journalist, goes to Berlin with what she knows and meets Horst, now a successful and world-famous conductor. She wants to tell him Phee's secret.
There was much I liked about the book, and a few things I didn't. The love story was very sweet, and perhaps happened at other times and in other places. Today there might be some legal eyebrows raised because Phee was only 17 and Horst was 21 at the time, but things were different then. That did bother me a little. Another thing that bugged me and probably shouldn't have was Phee's nickname. I had a friend in my youth whose name was also Phyllis Ann, but she chose to go by Phyl. "Phee" is just a bit off, somehow. In general, I gave the book 4.5 stars, but because we can't do that, it has to be 4 stars.
This is a sweet and sad historical tale of an American high school senior and a German POW in the latter days of WWII, set in the bucolic Midwestern town of Algona, Iowa, where there really was a German POW camp. Basically, the plot is this--Phyllis Ann (Phee) Swensson, the musically gifted daughter of a local Lutheran pastor, is asked to meet with a German prisoner whose idea is to form a maennerchor, a men's choir. The prison camp chaplain has orchestrated this meeting with the idea that Phee could be their accompanist. Though initially cautious with one another, over time they become friends and eventually fall in love. It is a bittersweet love because they know that he will have to return to Germany and she will stay in Iowa and eventually go off to college. Neither one of them wants to think about that, but it is the elephant in the room. So they make time, and what some people might call some questionable decisions, before this happens. And when it does come to pass, Phee waves goodbye to Horst on the train without telling him. Many years later, after her mother's death, Phee's daughter Mollie, now a successful journalist, goes to Berlin with what she knows and meets Horst, now a successful and world-famous conductor. She wants to tell him Phee's secret.
There was much I liked about the book, and a few things I didn't. The love story was very sweet, and perhaps happened at other times and in other places. Today there might be some legal eyebrows raised because Phee was only 17 and Horst was 21 at the time, but things were different then. That did bother me a little. Another thing that bugged me and probably shouldn't have was Phee's nickname. I had a friend in my youth whose name was also Phyllis Ann, but she chose to go by Phyl. "Phee" is just a bit off, somehow. In general, I gave the book 4.5 stars, but because we can't do that, it has to be 4 stars.
October 11, 2022
From the opening pages, I was immediately drawn into the characters of My Mother’s Friend with the clever introduction of two main characters and the secondary setting of this historical novel. As the story evolves, the reader is introduced to a story about life in the Midwest during WWII.
• It’s a story about family, friendships, and relationships that are deepened, broken, and restored.
• It’s a story about being confronted with the “enemy” when a Prisoner of War camp is built in their small Midwest community.
• It’s a story about grief and loss.
• It's a story about the healing power of music.
• It’s a story about love that weaves through a family, a community, and a Prisoner of War camp.
Though many “quaint” phrases may seem a bit superfluous, there is great depth in this author's first novel as she artfully incorporates the various aspects of this engaging story.
The characters are genuine, the experiences are relatable, and the perspectives are insightful. She addresses some of the often-over-looked impacts of war on a small farm community along with much-needed reminder of the power of love, faith and hope. It is clear that the author understands life in the Midwest, is well-versed in the world of music, has experienced life in Germany, and believes in the potential for reconciliation and redemption.
This novel is very accessible to the young reader as well as the long-time reader. I hope there will be a sequel to this first novel, as the closing phrase invites us into the next part of the story.
• It’s a story about family, friendships, and relationships that are deepened, broken, and restored.
• It’s a story about being confronted with the “enemy” when a Prisoner of War camp is built in their small Midwest community.
• It’s a story about grief and loss.
• It's a story about the healing power of music.
• It’s a story about love that weaves through a family, a community, and a Prisoner of War camp.
Though many “quaint” phrases may seem a bit superfluous, there is great depth in this author's first novel as she artfully incorporates the various aspects of this engaging story.
The characters are genuine, the experiences are relatable, and the perspectives are insightful. She addresses some of the often-over-looked impacts of war on a small farm community along with much-needed reminder of the power of love, faith and hope. It is clear that the author understands life in the Midwest, is well-versed in the world of music, has experienced life in Germany, and believes in the potential for reconciliation and redemption.
This novel is very accessible to the young reader as well as the long-time reader. I hope there will be a sequel to this first novel, as the closing phrase invites us into the next part of the story.
October 6, 2022
An inspired WWII historical love story for all
I was drawn in completely to My Mother’s Friend and couldn’t put it down once I began reading. Phee, the main character, was beautifully written; her voice was thoroughly convincing (I grew up in Iowa and was a ‘band geek’). But I had no idea that there had been a German POW camp in my home state. I also loved learning about the the generosity with which neighbors shared their limited resources during rationing (a very Iowa thing to do). All of the characters especially the Swenson family (PKs!) rang true. But best of all was the sweet unfolding of the unlikely love story and for that alone, I heartily recommend My Mother’s Friend - you will be uplifted reading this inspired and informative novel.
I was drawn in completely to My Mother’s Friend and couldn’t put it down once I began reading. Phee, the main character, was beautifully written; her voice was thoroughly convincing (I grew up in Iowa and was a ‘band geek’). But I had no idea that there had been a German POW camp in my home state. I also loved learning about the the generosity with which neighbors shared their limited resources during rationing (a very Iowa thing to do). All of the characters especially the Swenson family (PKs!) rang true. But best of all was the sweet unfolding of the unlikely love story and for that alone, I heartily recommend My Mother’s Friend - you will be uplifted reading this inspired and informative novel.
October 6, 2022
Loved this historical novel from the beginning! The author did an amazing job with her storyline and all the characterizations. Thru each character, I could feel and imagine their particular "story" they were enduring thru the author with all her vivid details for us readers. Being from Iowa as well, the names and locations used, interested me and pulled me deeper into the story. However, all readers will feel the same.
The author, you can determine, did an amazing job researching. I did learn Iowa had a German POW camp. From this setting, I was so intrigued what each character was experiencing. You felt their emotions and wondered how they would react next! I am greatly hoping for a sequel!!
The author, you can determine, did an amazing job researching. I did learn Iowa had a German POW camp. From this setting, I was so intrigued what each character was experiencing. You felt their emotions and wondered how they would react next! I am greatly hoping for a sequel!!
October 20, 2022
Musical Groups in a POW Camp?
I never considered that musicians got together to make music in POW camps in the US. I had read book about prisoners using their musical talents to entertain detained people. Why not in the US also?
This book is about foreign POWs being detained in the US spending their free time making music and entertaining everyone. What a great idea!
Sally Jameson Bond writes such a group in My Mother's Friend. It is interesting how music can bring people who were at war with one another to a position that they were working together on music and creating beautiful music in a prisoner of war camp. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did!
I never considered that musicians got together to make music in POW camps in the US. I had read book about prisoners using their musical talents to entertain detained people. Why not in the US also?
This book is about foreign POWs being detained in the US spending their free time making music and entertaining everyone. What a great idea!
Sally Jameson Bond writes such a group in My Mother's Friend. It is interesting how music can bring people who were at war with one another to a position that they were working together on music and creating beautiful music in a prisoner of war camp. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did!
May 24, 2024
Aside from the story of love, loss, war, peace, and the inevitable grief and happiness that come with all of those things, this story is chock full of history. I learned so much about Iowa in 1944, and a family full of love, but more than that, I learned a lot about what life was like for both US and German soldiers. There is plenty of history to keep history buffs going, and a developing love story that will tug at your heart.
Be sure and read the author's notes when you finish the book to learn about the journey she took in writing this story. On to book two now. Thank you Ms. Bond for bringing Phee alive on the page.
Be sure and read the author's notes when you finish the book to learn about the journey she took in writing this story. On to book two now. Thank you Ms. Bond for bringing Phee alive on the page.
October 6, 2022
My Mother’s Friend reeled me in as soon as I started the first chapter, and I remained enthralled right through the very last sentence. Even as I could hardly wait to get to the next chapter to see what would unfold, I wanted to linger on each paragraph and savor the elegant descriptions of place, time, and emotional landscapes Jameson Bond so beautifully weaves into this tale. I’m looking forward to re-reading My Mother’s Friend at least several more times——and I’m truly hoping Jameson Bond has a sequel on the horizon!
January 29, 2023
I loved this book & didn't want it to end. I hope there will be a sequel! I have lived in Iowa my entire life, mostly in Fort Dodge & Twin Lakes (near Algona) and had not known about the POW camp during WWII near Algona until I read this book. It was fun to read about all the places I'm familiar with: Lake Okoboji, Arnold's Park & the Roof Garden (although I've never heard of Creezy & The Coasters from Fort Dodge who played there in the 1940's), Spirit Lake & all the Iowa towns mentioned. The characters were very well developed, I felt like I knew them, I loved them all.
October 10, 2022
I grew up in Iowa and was aware that there were WWII POW camps in the US, but didn’t know about the one in Algona. I thoroughly enjoyed the historical/fiction nature of this book. It was easy to read and the development of the characters made you feel like you were actually there. Highly recommend this book and the ending leaves you wanting (hoping) for the sequel.
October 23, 2022
As a lover of historical fiction, WWII and a student of music for many years while growing up in Iowa and Illinois, My Mother’s Friend, was a perfect fit for my next read. It was interesting to learn about the POW camp in Algona, but what hooked me was the character, Phee. The author did an excellent job of developing her relationship with the POWs, particularly Horst. I was further drawn into the book as I learned more about Phee’s family, and the special bond she had with her piano teacher.
The book was easy to read, hard to put down and will have you wishing for a sequel.
The book was easy to read, hard to put down and will have you wishing for a sequel.
December 7, 2022
Although the premise was intriguing, I don’t understand how this book got five stars from other readers. I found it to be rather boring. It was too wordy in its descriptions and predictable. I didn’t feel that the characters were believable.
January 31, 2023
Very Engaging Read
I originally bought this because the author is friends with my sister. I'm glad I did. It's a very good read, and the history of POW camps in Iowa is quite amazing. The musical aspect made it very enjoyable. A very good story.
I originally bought this because the author is friends with my sister. I'm glad I did. It's a very good read, and the history of POW camps in Iowa is quite amazing. The musical aspect made it very enjoyable. A very good story.
March 19, 2024
camp Algona
Very fine reading. I met you at the Library in Algona. Since I live in Algona I am so interested in the details. I didn’t realize I’d want to read the second book until the last page. Find Him!
Now I’ll check out the second book this week if available.
Very fine reading. I met you at the Library in Algona. Since I live in Algona I am so interested in the details. I didn’t realize I’d want to read the second book until the last page. Find Him!
Now I’ll check out the second book this week if available.
November 16, 2022
Compelling story, rigorous research!
I appreciate the evidence of rigorous research in writing, especially in historical fiction. In My Mother’s Friend, author Sally Jameson Bond starts with subjects she knows (her home state of Iowa, her music degree) then creates a compelling story around what she doesn’t know until well-researched (POW camps in the US during WWII, and in particular the camp in Algona, Iowa).
There is no need to recap the story in this review. You must read it for yourself. But first I recommend you turn to the back of the book and read Author’s Note, Acknowledgments, and About the Author. There is intriguing information here. Then turn to the front and read the dedication and List of Characters. Now you are ready to immerse yourself in a darn good story.
As you read, especially appreciate the diary entries where the voice of the main character rings true. Phee Swensson’s diary (each entry delightfully beginning “Dear Daisy” and ending “And life goes on. G’night.”) reads believably as the voice of a talented 17/18-year-old young woman who has been required to grow up too soon, during a war, without her mother.
I appreciate the evidence of rigorous research in writing, especially in historical fiction. In My Mother’s Friend, author Sally Jameson Bond starts with subjects she knows (her home state of Iowa, her music degree) then creates a compelling story around what she doesn’t know until well-researched (POW camps in the US during WWII, and in particular the camp in Algona, Iowa).
There is no need to recap the story in this review. You must read it for yourself. But first I recommend you turn to the back of the book and read Author’s Note, Acknowledgments, and About the Author. There is intriguing information here. Then turn to the front and read the dedication and List of Characters. Now you are ready to immerse yourself in a darn good story.
As you read, especially appreciate the diary entries where the voice of the main character rings true. Phee Swensson’s diary (each entry delightfully beginning “Dear Daisy” and ending “And life goes on. G’night.”) reads believably as the voice of a talented 17/18-year-old young woman who has been required to grow up too soon, during a war, without her mother.
January 2, 2023
An love story in a historical setting I was interested in learning about. Musicians and classical music lovers will especially enjoy it.
I am looking forward to the sequel.
I am looking forward to the sequel.
October 31, 2023
Loved this
The characters were so interesting and the love stoRy
pulled at the heart strings. The ending surprised me. I hope there's a sequel.
The characters were so interesting and the love stoRy
pulled at the heart strings. The ending surprised me. I hope there's a sequel.
September 4, 2024
Wonderful book.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews