'The War That Saved My Life' is a heartwarming story set during World War II in England, focusing on a young girl named Ada who escapes her abusive mother with her brother Jamie. They find refuge with Susan Smith in the countryside, where Ada learns to trust, love, and grow into a strong young woman. The book explores themes of rebirth, overcoming obstacles, and the power of love and kindness in the midst of darkness.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed and undergo significant growth, especially Ada, who transforms from an abused girl into a self-confident individual.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is poignant and immersive, allowing readers to empathize with Ada's struggles and growth.

Plot/Storyline:

The novel follows Ada and her brother Jamie as they escape their abusive mother and navigate life during WWII, ultimately finding love and acceptance with their new guardian Susan.

Setting:

The setting plays a crucial role in shaping the story, symbolizing both imprisonment and freedom.

Pacing:

The pacing allows for thoughtful exploration of Ada's journey while maintaining reader engagement.

This story I’m telling starts out four years ago, at the beginning of the summer of 1939. England stood on the edge of another Great War then, the war we’re in the middle of now. Most people were afra...

Notes:

The protagonist, Ada, is a ten-year-old girl born with a clubfoot.

Ada's mother treats her abusively and prevents her from leaving their small apartment.

The story is set during World War II in London and later in the countryside.

The book addresses themes of child abuse, neglect, and resilience.

Ada teaches herself to walk in secret so she can escape with her brother, Jamie.

Ada and Jamie are evacuated to live with a woman named Susan Smith, who initially doesn't want children.

Susan provides a nurturing environment that allows Ada and Jamie to thrive.

Ada slowly learns to trust Susan, despite her past trauma and fear of being hurt.

The war serves as a backdrop but also symbolizes internal struggles for the characters.

The novel has been praised for its accurate representation of wartime experiences and childhood trauma.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include child abuse, emotional trauma, disability, and themes of neglect.

From The Publisher:

*Newbery Honor book

*Winner of the Schneider Family Book Award

This #1 New York Times bestseller is an exceptionally moving story of triumph against all odds set during World War II, from the acclaimed author of Fighting Words, and for fans of Fish in a Tree and Sarah, Plain and Tall.

Ten-year-old Ada has never left her one-room apartment. Her mother is too humiliated by Ada's twisted foot to let her outside. So when her little brother Jamie is shipped out of London to escape the war, Ada doesn't waste a minute-she sneaks out to join him.

So begins a new adventure for Ada, and for Susan Smith, the woman who is forced to take the two kids in. As Ada teaches herself to ride a pony, learns to read, and watches for German spies, she begins to trust Susan-and Susan begins to love Ada and Jamie. But in the end, will their bond be enough to hold them together through wartime? Or will Ada and her brother fall back into the cruel hands of their mother?

"Achingly lovely…Nuanced and emotionally acute."-The Wall Street Journal

"Unforgettable…unflinching."-Common Sense Media

★ "Brisk and honest…Cause for celebration." -Kirkus, starred review

★ "Poignant."-Publishers Weekly, starred review

★ "Powerful."-The Horn Book, starred review

"Affecting."-Booklist

"Emotionally satisfying…[A] page-turner."-BCCB

"Exquisitely written…Heart-lifting." -SLJ

"Astounding…This book is remarkable."-Karen Cushman, author The Midwife's Apprentice

"Beautifully told."-Patricia MacLachlan, author of Sarah, Plain and Tall

"I read this novel in two big gulps."-Gary D. Schmidt, author of Okay for Now

"I love Ada's bold heart…Her story's riveting."-Sheila Turnage, author of Three Times Lucky

Ratings (19)

Incredible (7)
Loved It (9)
Liked It (3)

Reader Stats (36):

Read It (22)
Currently Reading (2)
Want To Read (7)
Not Interested (5)

3 comment(s)

czanel840

Incredible

4 months

This was a quick read for me, as it's written for middle-school-ish readers, but also an exciting and moving one. Ada, who has a deformed foot, has been kept in a single room her whole life. But then she and her brother are evacuated to a seaside town and she see things and has experiences that widen her world. We see her struggles with the new experiences, her gradually expanding understanding, and the war as viewed by her and her little brother. I need to get my hands on the sequel asap.

2d2sum303

Loved It

11 months

Characters

mkmbud191

Loved It

1 year

Read this and the sequel. You won’t regret it.

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About the Author:

Kimberly Brubaker Bradley is the two-time Newbery Honor winning and #1 New York Times bestselling author of several acclaimed middle grade novels, including Fighting Words, The War That Saved My Life, The War I Finally Won, and Jefferson's Sons. She and her husband have…

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The War That Saved My Life

Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Book 1 in the series:The War That Saved My Life