The War that Saved My Life

thewarthatsavedmylifeWritten by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

I loved this book about resilience, strength, and love.

Ada and her little brother live with their mother in a run down apartment in London just at the start of WWII. Her mother is ashamed of Ada because of her clubfoot, and never allows Ada to leave the apartment. When all the children are sent away to the country because of the bombs, Ada and Jamie are forced upon Susan Smith, who doesn’t really want them either. They learn to adapt to their new situation and each other.

Review by Terrie Bishop, Academy Park Media Center
Rating: ★★★★★ (5 stars)
Interest Level: 4-9

This story is about two children, Ada and Jamie. They live in London. Ada has the disability of a club foot, which her mother is ashamed of. Because of this, she neglects and abuses Ada for being different. She hides her away in their apartment or locks her in a cabinet under the sink. When World War II breaks out, the children are evacuated to the countryside and Ada escapes her situation with her brother, as they leave before their mother is awake.

Susan Smith is the woman who is forced to take the children. She doesn’t want the responsibility of the children, but she is very good to them and begins to treat them with the respect and love that they need. You love how Ada teaches herself to ride a pony, learns to knit, learns to read, and learns to love.

This is a well written story. The moment you begin it, you feel compelled to keep reading and you long to see the two children happy. The story to the end has you guessing how it will turn out. Especially when their mother returns to the story. It is also very interesting to read what happened in England during the time of Hitler and how the families adapted to survival.

I would recommend this book to a child in 3rd grade and up. I think they would not only learn about history but about how struggles and difficult times in their life develop an understanding of others.

Review by Ruth Porter, District Media Assistant, Educational Technology Dept.
Rating: ★★★★★ (5 stars)
Interest Level: Grades 3-6

The War that Saved My Life
Written by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Dial Books for Young Readers
316 pages
Release Date: January 8, 2015

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5 thoughts on “The War that Saved My Life”

  1. Loved this book! Wish it has won the Newbery. It is well told and makes you think about what you might have done in the same situation.

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