The War That Saved My Life

I do not recommend this novel for children under the age of 18. The main character is a ten year old girl, psychologically and physically abused by her mother and possibly sexually exploited. For 10 years, she knows nothing beyond the four walls of the family apartment. She and her brother are then moved to the country before London is bombed. While morbid curiosity kept me reading to the half way point, this novel raises so many flags.

In my opinion the topics in this book are for a more mature audience. The main character, Ada, a 10 year old girl, is severely abused and neglected by her mother. Ada was born with a club foot. While surgery could have corrected the club foot, Ada’s mother chose not to forgo the surgery to save money. Instead she kept Ada locked in their flat and told people she was “simple” or mentally handicapped as well as physically handicapped. Sadly her mother’s pure hatred towards her, while may be reality for many children, is too harsh for a children’s book. I was also not happy with the hints of prostitution, lesbianism, and the use of the word slut in the book, as well as many historical inaccuracies. I do not recommend this book to children.

I'm surprised and saddened how much I disliked this much lauded book. I read it as an adult who likes and reads YA but I disliked it for these reasons:
1. The content is dark and depressing and stays that way. There are moments of happiness but I think it should have been marketed to adults (when will publishers figure out that a young main character doesn't mean it's necessarily for young adults?). The verbal and physical abuse by Ada, the main character's, mother is highly disturbing.
2. Parts of it were unbelievable. The mother's complete lack of humanity for no reason at all felt forced and would have been laughable if not for the horrible things she does and says. It all felt VERY modern despite being historical fiction and I found that extremely irritating. The way the characters talk and act is more 2017 than 1939.
3. Piggy-backing on to my point above, Ada's guardian is a Lesbian which seemed culturally out of place for the time period and not something I want my kids to be reading about.
The writing was engaging but this story was not for me.

As a new writer and one interested in young adult stories I started reading books in this genre. I purchased this book because it is a Newbury Award winning book. When I read it I was astounded at how good it was. I think the way Bradley manages to take her heroine from a life filled with physical and mental abuse because of a birth defect and from complete rejection by her mother to a place where she finds her worth as a human, a better life and eventually the love that she has never had and longs for is an amazing accomplishment. This book is a must read for young people as well as old. It really shows the depth of the human spirt.

This is one of the best books I have ever read.

I loved this so much! Ada is a prickly character, but with good reason (having been terribly abused by her birth-mother because of her clubfoot), and watching her growth here is wonderful, as she slowly, slowly learns to trust herself and others (especially Susan, who is mourning her own loss, and is prickly in her own way, but also so wise and marvelous). All these characters are wonderfully rendered, and I adored the details of life in the WWII-era British countryside.

Libby’s Literary Corner for Young Readers: Ages 9-12, Grades 4-7 “The War that Saved My Life” by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley is a multi-award winner, including the Schneider Family Award for sensitively dealing with folks of various abilities. In the midst of WWII London’s children including Ada and her younger brother Jamie, are sent into England’s countryside to keep them safe from German bombs. They leave their abusive mother and are placed with a resistant host, a single woman named Susan who makes it clear that she is not interested in being a host. She is steeped in the grief of losing her dear friend, Betsy, and her heart isn’t looking to melt anytime soon. Ada has spent her whole life sequestered in the family apartment with a mother who has convinced her that because of her crippled foot she will always be worthless, a mother who takes out all of her own life’s disappointments on this young daughter. Two strangers, Ada and Susan steeped in more than just WWII, have to find a way to coexist. Susan is slowly drawn out of her sorrow when she becomes aware of the unimaginably horrible background her young guests have had. It’s an uphill battle to convince Ada of her worth and potential. WWII is about to arrive at their doorstep and it’s going to take everything they have to survive it. With the help of her sweet brother Jamie, Butter the pony, and Susan’s perseverance, Ada begins to wonder if it’s possible that she does have value. Could she experience friendship, a parent’s love? This is one of those two-steps-forward and one-step-back (on good days) books, a tale that reveals the damage done and not uneasily undone when children are abused. For older readers or top readers who enjoy this topic, I suggest “Goodnight, Mr. Tom” which has the same theme, but the story involves a young abused boy who is placed with an old curmudgeon of a man in the country during WWII. My top readers loved that story, I enjoyed reading it with Noah, and many high school sophomore classes used it as required reading. Unforgettable! Kimberly Brubaker Bradley has other worthwhile books under her belt like “Jefferson’s Sons” and I look forward to fall’s release of the sequel “The War I Finally Won”. This is historical fiction at its finest.

It is 1939, and ten-year-old Ada Smith, whose was born with a twisted foot, lives with her Mam and her six-year-old little brother Jamie in a one-room apartment in London, England. Ada has never left the apartment because her mother is too humiliated by Ada’s club foot to let her outside and beats her unmercifully. With World War II starting up and people fearing German bombs on London, Jamie, along with other children, is shipped out of London to escape the war, and Ada sneaks out to join him. They are evacuated to a small coastal town in Kent where a woman named Susan Smith, who is mourning the recent death of her long-time housemate named Becky, is forced to take the two kids in. What will happen to Ada and Jamie? Will Susan and the children ever learn to get along and be happy with each other? Or will Ada and her brother be forced back into the cruel hands of their mother?

The War That Saved My Life was a 2016 Newbery Honor book and was also the Winner of the Schneider Family Book Award (Middle School). It is said to be for ages 9-12, but some on the younger end of that scale might find the abuse which Ada’s mother heaps upon the child a little intense. I would say that it is more suitable for ages 12 and up. Some common euphemisms (heck, drat) occur, the term “Good Lord” is used as an interjection, and Mam utters the Cockney curse word “‘ell” a few times. There are also references to drinking wine. However, the most serious issue is that one reviewer wrote, “Elements of sexuality in this book may be problematic for many parents.” Having read the book, I found no sexual activity mentioned and not even any talk about sexual things. I suspect that this reviewer was referring to some other reviews which said things like, “A secondary theme of lesbianism mentioned nowhere on the book summary or description,” and “This book has a character that is a lesbian,” or “Unbelievable that only two of the 400 plus reviews mentioned the subtle lesbianism content of this book.”

Now, I am very sensitive to such charges as these because I know how easy it is for a modern writer to slip unbiblical concepts into an entertaining story. And I can see how some might interpret the relationship between Susan and Becky as lesbian. Susan never wanted to marry and shared a home with Becky. Her clergyman father doesn’t think that she can be redeemed from her evil ways. The women of the village have never liked her. And Ada’s mom called her a slut. At the same time, all of these statements can be explained and understood in a way that is entirely without any connection to sexuality, and to be honest, unless I missed something, I found nothing which necessitated a conclusion of lesbianism. In fact, Becky and Susan had their own rooms. I mean, can’t two good friends of the same gender share a home without being accused of homosexuality—especially in 1939? The story has some disturbing elements to it but ends up with a satisfactory conclusion.

In the War that Saved my Life eleven year old Ada is having a rough life. Her mom abuses her and a war is going on. Then suddenly she and her brother are put in a camp were they meet a lady who thinks she can't take care of kids. I think this book is good for kids who like historical fiction and are interested in WWII. My favorite part is when Susan comes to save Ada and Jamie. The end of this book will surely shock you. -J.L 10 years old

I write this review in honor of my fifth grade students who chose this book and listened to me read it with awe-struck faces. Nearly all students deemed The War that Saved My Life the best book they had ever read. Their comments included, "loved the irony of the title", "enjoyed how there was a twist in the plot every where you turned", "loved how strong Ada became", "can't understand how a mother can be so mean", "full of adventure", "shows World War II from a child's point of view", "shows a different side of World War II," "love how the author always showed the readers something, but didn't tell readers what to feel or thing", loved how a character disappeared in the middle of the story and you kept wondering what happened to the character." One student wrote, "I loved how the author made you feel many emotions at the same time: happiness, sadness, fear, anger. They were always mixed together." The War that Saved My Life goes on my list of one of the best books I ever read, and it is number one on the list of books I read in library classes over the ten years I have been a librarian. It is light years ahead of any book my students and I ever chose for library classes. Bradley's novel stands out for its riveting plot, unbelievably fine, nuanced characters, incredible conflicts, and the best example of showing -- not telling-- in any children's book I have ever read. There is no let down in this novel. It is surprising and emotional up until the last sentence.

This is a historical fiction story based on what it was like when London was being bombed and children were evacuated for their safety. It was a glimpse of what it must have been like from the children's point of view but, I was surprised to read that some families couldn't stand to be separated and actually brought them back home between the time of the evacuation and the actual bombing started. I guess they didn't believe it would really happen ... who knows. Family bonds are very strong and that came through in this book.

The heroine of the story is very compelling and it was wonderful to see her triumph over adversity. The main players come together very nicely. Bought this for my 8 year old granddaughter but, of course, I read it and enjoyed it too!

A Total page turner
The book The War That Saved My Life, by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley is a must read. This book is full of emotion, it does not make you hope a good part will come, and it have moments full of suspense. I think this book makes you have more empathy and you realize how hard it was for some people.
    The main character's name is Ada, she lives with her mom and her brother Jamie. They live in London and they are poor. Ada’s mom hates her because she thinks Ada is ugly and a disgrace because Ada has a clubfoot.  This story takes place in the 2nd world war with Hitler. One day Jamie tells his mom that his friend Billy is leaving for the country in the summertime because of the war and asked if Ada and him can go. His mom says that he can go because he’s a normal but Ada would stay in their house no matter what happened. That summer Ada learned to walk without her mom knowing and when all of the children needed to leave London Ada and Jamie snuck out of there house and ran to the train station that would take them to the country. When they get there every child but them is chosen to go home with someone. until a lady takes them to a home with another lady named Susan, can they stay safe in the country from Hitler or will he invade?
    The book The War That Saved My Life. Is packed with emotion. One of the first things the author puts in the book to make it full of emotion is, “Don’t you be talkin’ to nobody’ mam said. I let you look out of the window with the kindness of my own heart, but i'll go an board it up if you go talking to anyone,” (p.g1). At this part of the story it’s when Ada’s mom hit her because she looked out her window and wanted to talk to people when her mom told her no. Another thing the author put in the book to make it full of emotion is “you ugly piece of rubbish! no one would want you! your trash,” (p.g214). At this part of the story Ada is trying on a dress and she remembers what her mom said about her. That is why I think the book The War That Saved My Life has lots of emotion.
    Also, this book does not make you hope a good part will come one bit. something the author put in the book to make it not make you hope a good part will come is, “And the horse made a frantic leap over the wall and the rider disappeared ,” (pg 95-96). at this part of the story Ada is riding a horse and she’s sees another person riding a horse and she gets kicked off. Something additional the author added in the text was, “The man-an ordinary looking man,at least from the distance-he took something from his rucksack, he unfolded it and buried in in the beach,” (pg 276). At this moment in the story Ada sees someone on the beach and no one is allowed on it so she thinks he’s a spy. And that is why I alo think the book The War That Saved My Life does not make you hope a good part will come   
    Additionally the book is full of suspense and you always want to know what happened next. One thing the author put in the book is, “whoop-Whoop Whoop-Whoop Whoop-Whoop you would have thought the bombs were in our bedroom,” (pg 266). at this part of the story the bomb alarm is going off. concluding to that the author put in her story is “Under billows of black smoke across the road, we could see the orange flames and twisted pieces of metal,” (pg 114).  That is when an airplane crashes in the military base and people die.
    All in all The War That Saved My Life is a must read full of suspense, emotion, and it's a page turner. I really think it makes you have more empathy but you can also take away for this book perseverance.  

This book is so painful it was difficult to read. 9-year old Ada was born with a club foot. Her life would have been very different had her father not died in an accident when she was four. Her mother, a cruel and ignorant woman, hates Ada for her deformity and proceeds to make her life a constant misery as penance for being an "abomination."

While her little brother Jamie is free to run and play with friends, Ada is confined to a filthy one-room apartment where she takes care of her brother and serves her mother. She must crawl on the floor to get around as her handicap is so severe that walking is impossible. She's not permitted to leave the apartment to use the communal bathroom as someone might see her, so she must use a bucket to relieve herself.

When Jamie comes home from school and tells Ada that local children are being evacuated from London to the countryside to avoid the anticipated bombings by Hitler's troops, she comes up with a plot for them to escape the horror of their existence with their mother and find a new life.

Once in the country, they're fortunate to be billeted with Susan, a single woman who has been lonely and depressed since the death of her best friend. The slow, painful process of Ada learning to trust an adult brought me to tears at many points. Her love for a pony is the saving grace that allows her to come out of her self-imposed isolation and make friends in the village.

It's a heartbreaking story, but beautifully written. Ada is a character of such compassion and hope that the reader can't help hoping she finally learns to love and receive affection from others.

I've seen this book in several MG reading lists and when it became available on my digital library I took it out. It was such a slow start with a voice that was difficult to get, at times reminding me that I was reading a construct that I abandoned it at first. Then, because I dislike not finishing books I went back to it.

I found the story much improved after Ada and Jamie got out of London and into the village. Things I liked: Ada's fierceness on learning to walk, Stephen's compassion when no one else seemed to get it, how Ada slowly came to trust and understand what it means to be loved just as you are, how Jamie was able to so quickly move into a new situation and adapt, how Stephen was able to see his ability to help and be important to another.

Susan was difficult for me, not because she was in a same-sex relationship with Becky, I got that almost immediately [and I think that my 12/13 year old self back in 1955 would have 'blue sky-ed' that entirely] but because I don't think she was treated as a whole person. I know that Ada did not understand~her inability to see society was a factor~ and we really see this world through Ada.

I would have thought at time when disability was still looked upon, at least for this story, as a personal fault and punishment limiting both the physical and the mental, that there would have been more pushback at Susan for her lifestyle choices, [I disliked the references to her Vicar father~thought that was a secondary and unnecessary trope there would have been less cliché ways to do this] and as Susan's choices became more evident, I wondered why Lady Thornton thought this was a good place to put children? That maybe more isolation from the shopkeepers in the village, from Lady Thornton, maybe Maggie being forbidden from being around the house and when Ada shows up with an injured Maggie the beginning of a realization, more conflict that was outside Ada's story but definitely a part of it.

I'm not sure why the writer thought that they both~Susan and Ada~ had to be very wounded souls and then developed these two story lines to bring that into focus.

Well designed in terms of the escalating empowerment of Ada. I found the use of language to explain Ada's inability to use language, and her 'going away' could be a difficult process to explain to a child reading the book. I give it three stars because it did not stay with me after I finished the book.

All in all, this is a great historical fiction book. It shows the effects of World War 2 on the common people. It also heavily touches on the topic of child abuse and the scars it can leave on a person. The characters are well-developed and the writing is poignant.

As an elementary school teacher, I would be VERY hesitant to read this to my class. I read this book because so many teachers recommended it via social media. I think many children would find the first few chapters very difficult to read/listen to and would really struggle to understand Ada's reactions to things later on. I could see it being okay if the kids are very mature and insightful readers. I don't believe in sheltering kids from reality, however I think there are many kids in situations that would make this book very tough for them to read.

The War That Saved My Life is a book for young readers by Kimberley Brubaker Bradley. Ada Smith is a useless cripple, or at least, that’s what her mother says. Because of her twisted foot, she’s confined to their flat, while her beloved brother Jamie freely roams their London neighbourhood. It’s 1939, and Hitler is about to invade, so Jamie is to be sent to the country, along with hundreds of other children, for their safety. But Ada is determined not to be left behind.

When they get off the train in Kent, they are assigned to an extremely reluctant Susan Smith. They are surprised to be treated so well by her, certain that they do not deserve it and unconvinced they will be allowed to stay. But stay they do, and while not everything runs smoothly, they are very glad not be hungry and cold. Ada is immediately drawn to Butter, the pony in the attached field: her dream is to ride and jump fences. Jamie is drawn to the pilots at the nearby airfield, and Susan is forced to emerge from her long-standing depression to care for her vulnerable charges.

Bradley gives the reader a view of wartime Britain from the perspective of a ten-year-old whose life of hardship and cruelty has made it difficult for her to trust others or believe in herself. Ada’s ignorance and naiveté make for a refreshingly different view of the social customs and accepted behaviours of the time. Ada’s slow but steady emotional development, her resolute spirit and her courage are an inspiration. Readers will feel like cheering at the point that Ada declares “…my foot’s a long way from my brain”.

Bradley presents this episode in Britain’s history in a form that young readers will appreciate, learn from and enjoy: a moral tale wrapped up in an adventure story. She beautifully illustrates the detrimental effects of abuse and neglect, and the positive power of care, support and love. This critically acclaimed 2016 Newbury Honor Book is a moving and uplifting read.

I give The War that Saved My Life 5 out of 5 stars; it is that amazing of a book. The story line is fantastic. The character development of Ada, the main character, as well as the secondary characters are solid and well done. The pace of the story is fast and enjoyable with no slow or lagging parts. Plus, the messages portrayed in the story are beautiful and timeless. I absolutely love how Ada and Susan heal each other. This book is an all around excellent book that is so well written. Bradley entwines the history with the story and development of many characters so perfectly. Her Newbery Honor is well deserved.

Even though this is a middle grade fiction book, I believe this would make an excellent book club selection. The lessons learned, emotions felt, and the good and bad characters make this book a great discussion piece. You will be happy, mad, frustrated, sad, worried, excited, and more. This book will take you on a ride, and you will love every minute of it.

The War that Saved My Life is a clean read, though the mother does abuse the kids. This book would make an excellent read aloud for a 6th grade classroom especially b/c they learn about world history in social studies. However, what Ada experiences from her mother and her own feelings can really provide for a lot of teaching and character building.

I really loved this book. I loved so many aspects of it. I loved how stubborn and hurt Ada was, but how she was able to love eventually. I loved her love for horses. I loved Susan's kindness, and how she really had to teach Ada and Jamie everything from cleanliness to what love and family truly is. I loved learning more of the history of that time period. I loved learning how WWII impacted people in England. I loved learning that kids were sent out of London to live with others b/c of the fear of bombing in the city. I loved learning that the German U Boats bombed more than military ships but impacted products, including food, being sent to people in England.

Overall, this and The Nightingale are the best historical fictions I have read in a really really long time.

In The War that Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, I found tears coming to my eyes as I was shown, guided my Bradley’s pen, the world through a totally unique perspective that was both raw and heartbreaking. The injustice of how Ada was treated by her mother because of Ada’s clubbed foot and of Jamie’s teacher in handling Jamie being left-handed was movingly presented. Oh, and how my heart ached for Ada learning to trust people and let them into her heart. I treasured how she learned to ride and proved that her crippled foot was “a long way from her head” in so many ways, especially in her courage during the Dunkirk days. How I came to love Miss Smith, reluctantly at first I will admit, for seeing beyond the outward appearance of two scrubby refugee children and seeking to give them the love that they had never had. I suppose the overall tone of the book was somber, but I didn’t finish the book without a laugh and smile or two especially in the scenes with Stephen’s blind colonel and the ones with Maggie’s mother and Miss Smith.

A week ago I didn’t know this book existed, but it’s fully captured by heart since, and I know will be a go-to re-read in the years to come. I’m eagerly anticipating its sequel and reading more by this new favorite author of mine.

Ada is lost, her mother beats her for being a cripple, Jamie loves her for protecting him, and everyone else thinks she touched in the head because she never leaves the apartment. It's only when WWII starts and Jamie is going to be sent away, that Ada decides enough is enough and leaves. She escapes with Jamie and all the school children to the countryside where strangers will raise them. Only no one wants them their either. Ada is determined to be more independent and no longer a burden on Jamie or anyone else. And this change, this chance in life was going to be the start of it all.

Susan takes them in, she doesn't want them, but she does her duty to the country. She is still trying to get over the pain of losing her best friend. How can she open her heart to 2 children she doesn't even know? Over time they come to an understanding. Susan will take care of both of them, she will feed, educate and raise them. Ada is still waiting for the other shoe to drop, waiting for the beatings when she does something wrong, waiting to be locked away. Susan surprises Ada and herself, she enjoys the kids and wants to help them.

Will the ghosts of Ada's past find her and ruin everything she's learned?

I will admit I was hooked on this book from page 1. I felt terrible for Ada and Jamie. Honestly, I felt a varying range of emotions for these children. Could I be this brave and just leave for what could have been a worse life? I don't know. Ada is very brave and smart. For a child's book, this is very raw with emotions and situations.

The rumored lesbian relationship, I will touch on this. Nothing indicates that they were lovers. They were 2 women who lived together. Susan was highly educated and couldn't find a job in a man's world. She lived with her best friend, lots of women do this. That doesn't make them lesbians. And if they were who cares. Susan was a better mom to Ada and Jamie then their own mom.

Ada has never been outside. She watches a tiny patch of the world through her London window and through whatever tidbits her little brother Jamie brings home to her. She has a club foot so she cannot walk and her mother is so ashamed of her that she has never let her leave the house. When her brother is sent away to the country to avoid the bombs that may drop on London, she faces the pain and, running away from the abuse and neglect, she goes with him. In the country, they are settled in with the lonely Susan Smith whom bathes them, feeds them, and treats them with kindness--something Ada has never known in her short life.

This was such a heartwarming story. Poor Ada spent her life locked away, being abused and neglected. When she goes to live with Ms. Smith, that way of life follows her and she cannot help but flinch, hide, or go into panic mode whenever she has done something wrong, no matter how small. It takes a lot of time and trust for her to really warm up to the Ms. Smith, but slowly, her walls start to break down as she experiences freedom, kindness, and love.
As with most cases of abuse, Ada holds onto those shortcomings her mother put on her and it takes her a long time to see her own worth. I thought Ada's ptsd issues were well done. Ada has a hard time coming to terms with the real world and real life, whether it be learning new things or accepting new relationships.

This is a great read for young fans of World War II historical fiction. The story is more about Ada but still revolves around the war, children evacuating London, and more. I would recommend it to any history or contemporary fans and young readers in general.

This book is a compelling work of literature with themes and messages that are inappropriate for young readers. The child abuse depicted in the book leaves permanent physical damage and psychological scars on the child Ada. The author describes Ada being abused, being starved, having no sense of self worth, having PTSD from the horrors inflicted on her, having no sense of human contact that isn't painful, and having to deal with be permanently crippled because her mother refused to get her timely medical care. Yes, Ada learns her own self worth and how to love, but the light doesn't outweigh the darkness in this book. This is the stuff that burns out adult Child Protective Services workers who have to deal with it. If adults have difficulties with this subject matter, why would you direct young readers to read it? This book should have been marketed to much older readers.

Where was the editor here? Why hasn't Ms. Bradley ever been to England? Does she know anyone who' s English?

Ms. Bradley is off the mark with her language several times per page. And her mistakes use language that would absolutely categorically have caused adult intervention in the 1940's. Many of the turns of phrase would get eyerolls, even now.

Where to begin? How about this? The word "cor" is just plain blasphemous. A child would get sent to his room for using it. The word "quit" was not used in England. This author has it coming out of the mouth of an Oxford-educated woman. Faster is American; in England, they say more quickly.

Trash is an American word.

On the subject of trash...absolutely categorically you would not be clearing your plate into the trash. This was war time for gosh sake! You ate everything! And any small debris would go into the compost.

A stove or oven is never called a range.

Ditto for movies, living room, stockings, sure, yarn, graduated, raised, turkey, gotten, scared, kids, math, on and on and on...

Some of the language is incorrect even in American dialects, let alone English: right quick, sunk (instead of sank), cut something quick, .. Why are we giving children stuff to read that is grammatically incorrect?

Children were NEVER called kids, and it was poor form to use that word.

You don't eat with a fork. You eat with a knife and fork BOTH. Toilet tanks were mounted on the wall above the toilet. That's why the expression "pull the chain."

You don't "write someone". You write to someone. You don't "go get". You "go and get".

"Doing bad" is not even good American English.

"Okay" from an English mouth during the war?

On every page, there are examples. Cringeworthy.

The author might just as well have been sprinkling Italian words and turns of phrase into a French novel. That's what happens when you think Oxford-educated women speak like Americans or you throw in slang that simply didn't exist anywhere before the 1950's That's how bizarre her language is.

Then there's Mam who sounds like she's in Gone With The Wind....

Further, this author has zero knowledge of British boarding schools. They were not for the wealthy. Certainly some titled or monied parents sent their children to boarding school, but except for somewhere like Eton, these schools were not posh in the least. Americans would be horrified at the sleeping arrangements, the food, and the academic standards. Many boarding school pupils came from commonwealth, military, merchant, physician families. I know firsthand.

Speaking of standards...if this book uses American idioms, sentence structure, and vocabulary to try and accommodate an American audience, shame on the publishers. Perhaps language that approximates the original would have done much more to teach young people about history, tradition, cultural niceties, and, yes, language. Instead we have to dumb children's books down so American children can understand them?

Ms. Bradley pretends to reflect British language while evidently making no effort to get it right. This has become common practice (Charles Todd is another egregious example) among American authors. I suppose American audiences think this is irrelevant, when it reflects very poorly on the writer and the publisher. They didn't look up the vocabulary? That's what we're teaching children?

Elizabeth George is a fine example of someone who understands English culture and language usage, and exquisitely reflects that knowledge.

Get rid of the blasphemy, like NOW. Even the short form of Cor blimey (=God blind me) is extremely offensive.

Ada, unloved and deemed worthless by her mother because of her club foot, has never left her one-room flat in London. Her entire world consists of what she can see from her window, what her younger brother Jamie tells her of outside, and her mother's cruelty. But when the threat of German bombs sends the children of London to the countryside, Ada cleverly sneaks away with them, and discovers a big world that's full of all kinds of uncertainties, including love and heartbreak.

This novel reminded me a bit of Music of the Dolphins in the way that it is told from Ada's ignorant perspective. Her entire life has been constrained to one room, and when it suddenly opens up, Ada and the reader are both overwhelmed with details that most people would take for granted--the unevenness of a London street, or the shock of seeing one's own face in the mirror for the first time. The story is filtered through Ada's unique perspective, which presents its own challenges (such as Ada's inability to trust and her stubbornness when it comes to education), but also some beautiful moments of exploration as Ada learns to ride, and starts on a path towards emotional healing.

The emotional arc of this story is strong, and beautifully rendered. Ada and her brother Jamie both carry the effects of their mother's ill treatment, but they find love and refuge with Susan, a single woman who is still grieving from the loss of her best friend (and I presume partner) three years earlier. Despite Susan's many bumbles and Ada and Jamie's trauma, they create a life together amidst the uncertainty of wartime. The love they find may not be enough to stop the atrocities of war from reaching their lives, but it is enough to save their lives. This is a beautiful novel about hope and resilience through trauma, where the characters find fulfillment not in fixing their bodies or changing their stations, but in the relationships they create.

I am a Middle School librarian and I read this book as one of our state's award nominee. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Ada was born with a clubfoot, something her mother fines reprehensible, and the result of something lacking in Ada mentally. Ada has never been allowed out of their one-room flat in London. She crawls everywhere in the flat. Her only outside contact comes from looking out the window and from the few bits she knows from her mother or her younger brother, Jamie.

When WWII starts, Mam makes arrangements for Jamie to leave with the children being sent to the countryside. Ada? Who cares. Ada, however, managers to escape the flat and they board a train for the countryside. They find themselves in the care of Susan, who had to be ordered to take them. Are they going from one bad situation to another?

As Ada navigates this new world, she needs to come to terms with who she IS, not who her mother kept telling her she was. But is there enough time? Is Ada even capable of that kind of growth?

What a wonderful book. I would highly recommend it to students who like coming of age stories, and those who enjoy historical fiction.

The War that Saved my Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley was a phenomenal read! From the very start I was drawn in and could not wait to find out what would happen next. I picked it up so that I could preview it before reading it aloud to my classroom, since it has been a recommendation. I ended up buying the audio version and listening to it in the car as well. As I was listening to it in the car with my four children (Ages 10, 9, 5 and 3) I was amazed to find them asking if we could go for a drive so they could find out what would happen next in the book. They were just as captivated to it as I was. There were times we laughed, nearly cried and felt a wealth of emotions as we experienced the events within the story. We found ourselves talking about the book long after we were in the car as well.

This unique story is told from the perspective of a little girl about the age of 10. It is set in London right at the start of World War II. Ada, the main character was born with a club foot. Her mother is embarrassed by her imperfection and has never let Ada leave their flat, not even to go to the bathroom down the hall. Due to the severe pain, Ada never learned to walk until one summer she taught herself while no one was looking. Her mother often neglected her and was very mean.

When England enters the war, most people in London send their children to the country to keep them safe. When Ada learns of this, she is astounded that her mother refuses to send her. She takes matters into her own hands and for the first time leaves with her little brother to seek safety.
This book is all about the experiences she has outside of the flat that was once her entire life.

I would highly recommend this book to people of all ages. It is a fantastic read. It is the kind of book that stay with you long after you finish turning the pages. For children, I love how Ada explained all the nuances she experienced with beautiful context clues to make those who are younger audiences understand and connect with the book. This is the first book I have read by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, but it will certainly not be my last.

PS - The audio version of this book only enhances the brilliant work of Kimberly Brubaker Bradley. Jayne Entwistle completely captivated my entire family as we drove for extra trips to learn more about this incredible book.

This is one of the loveliest books I've read in a long time. In fact, I'm calling it for a Newbery Medal next year or at least an honor--that's how strongly I feel about it. Ada's story builds slowly, intertwining with Susan Smith's story as the woman takes in two children sent out of London during the bombing of World War II. Only Ada isn't actually sent. She escapes with her little brother. She was born with a club foot to a mother who despises her and keeps her prisoner in her little apartment. This abused child blossoms under Susan Smith's care, but not at all quickly and not too very much, which is more realistic than in so many books where serious problems are overcome with all the swiftness of a TV show. This story sucks you in with its quiet episodes--well, some more quiet than others. Ada is superbly written. I just can't say enough about this one. And its ending is perfectly beautiful, again without being overdone or sentimental. Thank you, Kimberly B. Bradley, for The War that Saved My Life!

Like "Goodnight, Mr. Tom", this is the story, set during WWII, of an abused child finding love and acceptance from an adult needing to be loved and accepted themselves. Ten year old Ada has been a virtual prisoner all her life. Her abusive mother, ashamed of her daughter's club foot, refuses to allow her to ever leave their squalid apartment so Ada is forced to watch through her window, a world that she will never know. Then at the beginning of the second world war, Ada and her younger brother manage to sneak out together and join a local group of children being evacuated to the country for their own safety. Dirty and small, Ada and James are not chosen by any of the people from the village to where they've been sent. Undaunted, the woman in charge forces a local single woman, Susan, to take them in. Susan, grieving for her friend, doesn't want them but with time learns that she needs them as much as they need her.

This is a moving story with a strong voice in Ada. Despite her abusive upbringing, she is a fighter and fiercely independent. She teaches herself to walk and then ride Susan's neglected pony, Butter. Her confusion and anguish are all too clear when she learns that her mother could have easily had Ada's club foot repaired as an infant, but instead chose to leave her crippled for life. The author does and excellent job showing Ada's gradual acceptance of Susan. Her distrust and anger don't just disappear overnight. It takes a very long time. Too often books of this type have everything work out very quickly. I will admit, that there were times I felt like despite her handicaps (leg, inability to read, inexperience with practically everything in the world, etc.) that she figured out how to ride a horse pretty quickly, however, that really is a minor quibble

Although set in the past, the theme of this story, accepting who you are, is universal. It is well written and feels authentic. I read it in one sitting and enjoyed it immensely. I found the ending especially satisfying.

3.5 stars.

Actually, this is a pretty high rating for me because I don't typically like historical fiction from this period, but I read this in less than 24 hours because the characters were so well-written. I am just still not a fan of this time period.

Ada is a fiery and passionate and intelligent narrator who grabbed my attention with her sly ways in the first chapter.

I enjoyed the theme of finding a place to belong, and the message that Bradley sends with Ada finally finding her place when she's walking amongst all the wounded soldiers...she realizes there isn't something "wrong with her," afterall.

"I went to the pub. It was full of soldiers and people from the village. If anyone noticed me, they didn't care. I tossed my crutches and pillowcase behind the bar, found a pitcher and filled it, grabbed a mug, limped to the street, and gave the soldier" (254).

I found myself pausing wondering what it would have been like to be a child during this chaotic time and what my Bosnian students, who have lived through war, might think when reading this book.

It was meaningful, full of a variety of emotions, and well-written.

I just finished reading this aloud to my 11-year-old son. We both really enjoyed it. The story brings WWII England to life in a vivid way, and the main character--a girl with a clubfoot who has been kept more or less imprisoned by her evil mother for much of her life, and whose evacuation to the countryside provides a new lease on life--is complex and interesting. Clearly, people like this book (all those positive reviews), and they should. It's exciting, and emotionally involving, and well-written. There were times when language or period details struck me as off a bit, but I was caught up enough in the story not to let those ruin it for me. It doesn't read like an English book--it reads like an American version of one. Still, overall, I think Bradley has done a remarkable job. Some of the negative reviews here suggest that the author has a lesbian agenda. While I wouldn't care at all if that were true, it didn't occur to me for a moment. This is just an exciting story about children, for children. Air raid shelters, horse-riding, ration cards, even a German spy! A great book for 11-year-olds.

Ten-year-old Ada has never left her family's one-room London apartment. Born with a clubfoot left unrepaired, Ada has received the brunt of her mother's emotional and physical abuse her entire life.

Then war breaks out, and London's children are evacuated to the countryside. While most are tearful at leaving home, Ada is jubilant. Here, now, is her chance to escape her mother.

Yet Susan, the woman tasked with caring for Ada and her younger brother Jamie, doesn't want them.

Despite her uncertainty, Ada makes the most of her new circumstances. For once, there's plenty to eat, no one hits her and best of all, there's Butter, a horse she can ride.

What happens, however, if or when Susan sends them back?

While the story's protagonist is ten years old, this book isn't really just for children. Ada's voice is mature and engaging, and full of pain as she tackles some of life's most difficult and incomprehensible issues.

Readers will be happy to know there's a sequel, The War I Finally Won, which picks up where this book ends.

Ada was born with a club foot. Even in 1939, it could have been corrected when she was a baby, but her mother wouldn't pay, Her mother hates her. They're very poor and she keeps her locked in the one room in London they live in.
Ada runs away with her brother when the children from London are evacuated because of the war. At the end of the train ride, none of the villagers want her or her brother, filthy and scrawny and crippled as she is. The head lady makes Susan Smith, a wealthy recluse, take them in and everything changes for Ada. Ada didn't know what grass was. She learns just how wide the world is in which she lives, and that's always something great to read about.

Sometimes a book proves so breathtakingly beautiful and poignant that words fail; that would be The War That Saved My Life. Author Kimberly Brubaker Bradley has crafted an unforgettable coming-of-age novel that launches at the cusp of the beginning of the Second World War. Ada Smith — so neglected that she doesn’t really know her age nor her birthday — has been kept in a one-room flat over a pub her entire life. Her abusive mother has never sent her to school, ashamed of Ada’s club foot; she’s hardly more motherly to her 6-year-old son, Jamie. Ada doesn’t know anything about their father other than some misty memories.

All that is about to change when East End children are dispatched to Kent to avoid the bombing of the blitz. To tell any more would be to ruin this very moving book, one equally enjoyable for its middle-grade target audience and their parents and grandparents. I cannot recommend this novel highly enough.

I really liked this book. I was saddened and horrified by the mother in the story. Poor excuse for a human being. But I loved their war guardian Susan. She was hurting and in a bad way emotionally as she dealt with grief and depression but I think that enabled her to deal with the emotional abuse that the children had suffered at the hands of their mother. And I suspect caring for the children was healing for Susan as well. The story ends on a bit of a shocking note but leaves us with the sense that it is all going to be okay. Even so, I would have liked to have had the story continue to see the children blossom under Susan's care. I guess that is what book 2 is for... Well written, lovely characters.

Contains a few mild curses from the mom and violence at her hands as well.

Oh, this was a wonderful book! Ada and her brother Jamie are evacuated from London at the start of WWII, and in the process, escape an abusive relationship with their mother. This was ROUGH to read at times, as one would expect with a WWII novel (which is why I have a one or two a year limit). However, the parts that were difficult center around Ada's struggles with a normal maternal relationship and my heart was in my throat for much of the story. Not only did my heart go out to Ada, but I thought that her and her brother's caregiver, Susan, was a perfectly nuanced and deftly developed character that added many layers to the book. I am so glad I finally read this one in my effort to delve into more Newberry honor books. It's heartbreaking but, ultimately, hopeful. And there's a SEQUEL, The War I Finally Won, coming out this fall!

This is a book that everyone, young and old, should read. It feels honest, and real and not at all contrived. The author is a wonderful storyteller, and I felt as if I was there, a character in the book with the rest of them. It is full of action, humor, tenderness, oh all the things of life. Because that is what it is. A book about a girl named Ada's life. It was beautiful, and I am better for having read it.

I loved this book. Even though it is listed as young adult, it is book adults should read also. A heartwarming story, with a happy ending, about the displacement of children during the bombings of London.

It was hard at first to get into the book because of hardship. & negative awful mother I almost quit reading. But I wanted to talk to my mother in law about it & im glad I did. Cause love the characters woman with strength & honor & truth & power. I found a friend in them & could wait to read again & again

I absolutely loved this story. Good history, memorable characters. Very touching--shows what kindness can do to repair a broken child. This is one of the best "children's" book I've ever read. Can't imagine a person of any age (except maybe a child too young to understand it) not enjoying it.

One of the best written, most heart wrenching books that I have read in years. Beautifully written. Introduces difficult subjects (handicaps, war, fear, child abuse, poverty, parental loss, resilence) in a supportive way. The historical setting of the book makes children interested in learning more about this important time period. I read this as an adult and it held my attention. I recommended it to my niece for her 11 year old son.

my teacher read this to me and it was so intense. it was so exciting and gave you plenty of different emotions! i love it and i think you will too... its the best it was awesokme the whole class always groaned when she put the book away!

I don’t normally read grade 5-8 fiction but lately I have become quite attached to it. The story takes place in England during ww2 when children were being relocated to the country. Mom was glad to be rid of her clubfoot daughter and the story goes on from there. A sad/happy/sweet story.

I loved this book. It drew me in and kept me there. My 11 y.o. daughter and 7 y.o. son both thoroughly enjoyed it as well, and even my husband sat through our reading aloud on many occasions. It's very satisfying to see how the main character unfolds and grows, and the process blesses the other characters and community as well.

This book about a club-footed young girl named Ada and her brother Jaimie is set at the beginning of WW II. Ada's abusive mother pushes Ada and her brother to run away from London as children are evacuated to the countryside. There they are placed with spinster Susan. This is a wonderful novel about the true meaning of heart and home. It is a Newbery Honor book and should become a classic.

I read this book for a book club. I don't think I've ever read a 300 page book so quickly before (finished in 2 days). Reviews say there is "lesbianism" in this book, I do not know what they mean but as far as I knew, this book was simply amazing. It was such a good easy to read book.

This book has a character that is a lesbian. Regardless of your beliefs on this matter, I feel that parents should be aware of this fact so that they can make an informed decision as to whether or not they feel it's appropriate for their child.

We read this as a family - my 8 and 10 year old. We loved reading it and had lots of things to talk about. There are adult themes so I am glad that we read it together and could talk about it. Highly recommend this book.

I cannot wrap my head around why this book has affected me so profoundly. Am I just tired? Is it PMS? Am I mentally unbalanced? Or is it just really that good? I was absolutely exhausted last night but could not stop reading this. And then, when it was finished, I cried until my pillow was soaked. My only complaint is that it wasn't long enough! I kept noticing how I was getting closer to the end and it filled me with sadness. I never wanted to leave Ada, Jamie, and Susan. In the midst of absolute terror so many people in this book were saved. Thank you Kimberly Brubaker Bradley for sharing them with the world.

GREAT read! A MUST read! My 5th grader recommended this book -- she kept telling me "Mom, you've GOT to read it" -- I finally did and I'm SO glad I did. Such a great story -- I didn't want to put it down. The characters are so well developed as is the story - you'll be drawn into the book within seconds of opening it.

I bought this book (at a school book fair) for my daughter, but ended up reading it myself first. It was a great easy read and my girls loved it too! I love how she worked the meanings of some of the more difficult words into the story. My youngest daughter didn't ask me for the meaning of any of the words in this book! I would recommend it for 4th grade and up. (3rd if they read well) Buy this book, you won't regret it!

Just finished reading this book today, and all I can say is WOW, this was an incredible read. Doesn't shy away from portraying abuse or death or any other intense subject matter, and it's all the better for it. You will love the characters and root for them with all your heart. The book also does a great job of incorporating historical events into its narrative. A stellar, stellar read.

I greatly enjoyed this book. Good insights into the mind of a neglected and abused child. Lovely optimistic view of a child's healing and growth. It ended kind of abruptly and I hope that the writer will continue these children's story in future books. Good for folks that loved Good Night, Mr Tom and Carrie's War.

A different take on what happens to citizens in war time. A young girl with a club foot was destined to live in one room with only a window through which to view the outside world. Considered an embarrassment to her mother she was not allowed to go to school or even go outside. When war broke out in Europe and children were sent to the countryside, love and her chance at a normal life came in the form of a single woman who really didn't want children.

This review is from my 13 year old daughter:

"Truly one of the most beautiful, heart touching, and best books I have ever read. I started reading it, and just couldn't let go. I finished it tonight, at 10 pm. I put it down, tears streaming down my face. I've read many sad, happy, and inspirational books. This book made me think. Really hard. Congratulations Kimberly Brubaker Bradley. You've made me love a book. I will be recommending this to many people, including my family, friends, and even strangers I meet at the library. I especially recommend this to people looking for a touching story about love, trust, and bravery."

This is a beautifully written, very special book. My 9 year old daughter was engrossed in it, and now I am as well. It tells the story of an abused girl who finds new life during the evacuation of children from London in WWII. The story brings to life that era, and has extremely strong characters and sense of place.

The War that Saved my Life is on the battle of the books middle school list in NC, and I picked it up at the library for my children to read. I decided to read the book myself and couldn't put it down. Kimberly Brubaker Bradley tells the story of Ada and Jamie, a brother and sister in England during WWII. It is difficult as a mother to read about children who are not loved by their mother, but sadly this is not something only found in stories we read and movies we watch. The author does a great job balancing the themes in this story with what is appropriate for middle schoolers to read. I will definitely check out other novels by this author.

Not enough stars in the sky for the book. After attending a conference where it was recommended, I checked it out from the library and finished within days. I am buying my own copy to share with my family and others. Now I need to read the next book to find out what happens with Ada, Jamie and Susan. Wonderful writing, storyline, and characters. If you enjoy historical fiction, you will enjoy this book!

If you're like me, don't read this without tissues. Top notch historical fiction set in WWII England. Ada will make you cheer and she will make you cry. Unless you don't have a heart, in which case you might actually be Mam.

“If I could walk, maybe Mam would’t be so ashamed of me. Maybe we could disguise my crippled foot. Maybe I could leave the room, and stay with Jamie, or at least go to him if he needed me.
That’s what happened, though not the way I thought it would. In the end it was the combination of the two, the end of my little war against Jamie, and the start of the big war, Hitler’s war, that set me free.”

Ten-year-old Ada Smith is trapped. Trapped by impoverishment and ignorance. Trapped by prejudice and misconceptions. Trapped, quite literally, in the one room to which she’s been confined since she was born, her entire world composed of that which she can glimpse through a solitary window. Until the most unlikely of sources gives Ada the power and the motivation to change her life forever. As World War II begins and preparations are made to evacuate the children of London to the neighbouring countryside in order to protect them against the expected bombings, Ada knows that she will be left behind and separated from her younger brother, Jamie, if she does not learn to walk. This task is made all the more difficult by the club foot with which she was born. Mortified by her daughter’s disability, Mam never sought treatment for Ada’s affliction, which has become a constant source of discomfort, shame and unhappiness for Ada. Despite this, however, step by painstaking step Ada teaches herself to walk and against all odds, manages to escape with Jamie to the bucolic beauty of Kent. The two are eventually billeted with Ms. Susan Smith, a solitary woman also no stranger to loss and heartbreak, and her gentle pony, Butter. Not even the promise of regular meals, new clothing and lessons can help remove the nagging pit in the bottom of Ada’s stomach, however, as she struggles to trust in the security and permanence of their new home and put the pain of the past behind her. As the war escalates, the bombings worsen and Ada and Jamie’s mother makes a sudden reappearance in their lives, everything the two have come to care about is placed in jeopardy and Ada will be forced to question the true nature of home and family and to what lengths she’ll go to secure them.

“The teachers started yelling then, and we all climbed onto the train. Before the noon church bells rang, the train began to move.
We’d escaped. Mam, Hitler’s bombs, my one-room prison. Everything. Crazy or not, I was free.”

Comparative marketing is a popular strategy employed by many in the literary market and nowhere is this more evident than in the case of books aimed at the middle grade and young adult audiences. It seems that not a week goes by without a new book being touted as “the next Fault In Our Stars” or “the next Eleanor & Park”. Unfortunately, experience has taught me that these comparisons are often as misleading as they are prolific. This is why I was filled with a mixture of both trepidation and excitement when I was approached about reviewing Kimberly Brubaker Bradley’s The War That Saved My Life and it was described as being comparable to Kit Pearson’s Guests Of War trilogy. Pearson’s work were seminal touchstones throughout my adolescence, entertaining, educating and even comforting me during some of the best (and worst) moments of my young life. Nowhere was this more true than in the case of The Sky Is Falling, Looking At The Moon and The Lights Go On Again, the three books in Pearson’s aforementioned series about English siblings Norah and Gavin who emigrate to Canada during World War II. Thankfully, much to my relief The War That Saved My Life proved that not only was this comparison apropos, but that Bradley’s latest is exceptional enough to be celebrated for its own, unique merits as well. Powerful, evocative, diverse, and destined to become a childhood classic for generations to come, The War That Saved My Life is a touching tale of hope and perseverance that should be at the very top of every reader’s 2015 to-be-read list.

She nodded. “You must have been scared. Scared and angry.”
“Of course not,” I said, though I had been, at least until I’d seen the sea. “Of course I wasn’t scared.”
“Angry,” Susan said, putting her arm around me.
“No,” I said through clenched teeth. But I was. Oh, I was.

I haven’t always had the best luck with middle grade literature. For obvious reasons, the stories written for this age group skew a little younger, and as a result I often have a more difficult time connecting with them in a significant, meaningful manner. Ultimately, much of what determines my level of engagement with a middle grade novel is the narrative voice. Thankfully, this is one of the areas in which The War That Saved My Life excels. Told from the first-person perspective of the protagonist, ten-year-old Ada Smith, Bradley’s narrative voice is rich and intricately crafted. The author strikes the perfect balance between the dichotomous elements of Ada’s personality, simultaneously capturing the innocence and naïveté born of her youth and inexperience while also touching upon her cynicism and detachment born of years of chronic abuse. A lifetime of physical, emotional and psychological trauma have left Ada permanently scarred, the damage remaining long after she has been removed from the turbulence of her mother’s home. Worse still, Ada lacks the understanding or the vocabulary to express all the feelings that have become bottled up inside. Fear, anger and resentment are left to fester and often appear at the most unexpected and inopportune moments. From episodes of post-traumatic stress to complete disassociation, Ada’s trauma is exquisitely well-rendered as Bradley does not stigmatize or fetishize her mental illness, but rather examines the topic with the care and sensitivity it deserves. In turn, Ada’s experiences act as a testament to both the crippling, long-term consequences of abuse as well as the triumph of the human spirit. She walks, though she was told she was crippled. She reads, though she was told she was unteachable. Ada’s perseverance, tenacity and strength of character, even in the face of debilitating disability and abuse, will be an inspiration to readers young and old alike and provide a valuable lesson about overcoming adversity even in the face of overwhelming odds to the contrary.

“Right,” she said. “We’ll go to the doctor tomorrow, find out what we should do for you.”
“He won’t want her,” Jamie said. “Nice people hate that ugly foot.”
Miss Smith let out a short, harsh laugh. “You’re in luck, then,” she said, “because I am not a nice person at all.”

Ada’s depth and complexity are reflected in the secondary characters as well, as Bradley uses subtlety and an exquisite eye for detail to bring the supporting cast to life. Even Mam, whose treatment of the children is unequivocally horrendous, is given further depth when it is revealed that she was effectively coerced into motherhood, shamed into having children by her late husband, who told her that her desire not to do so was ‘unnatural’. While it makes her subsequent behaviour no less reprehensible, Bradley’s insight into Mam’s motivations did not go overlooked or unappreciated. This detail also allows Bradley to touch upon the stigma that women who did not conform to the mores of the period would face and how these rigid, misogynistic ideals would have far-reaching repercussions for generations to come. Best of all, Bradley’s secondary characters add diversity as well as depth, examining experiences often overlooked in a traditional exploration of the period. Although it is never explicitly stated, it’s strongly implied that Susan Smith, the woman with whom the children are billeted, is a lesbian mourning the loss of her romantic partner, and not her close friend as Susan explains to the children. The two women shared a home together and the depth of Susan’s loss, coupled with her fractured relationship with her father and her contentious relationship with both the church and the other townspeople points strongly to this interpretation. Whether or not other readers recognize and respond to this subtext, Susan is a superlative character, forced to look beyond her grief and personal limitations and take on a position she never once envisioned for herself. Despite her constant arguments to the contrary, Susan’s kindness, generosity and care for the children make her the most memorable and beloved of Bradley’s creations.

“How did I feel? I had no idea. I didn’t know the words to explain. I was choking and now I could breathe.”

Set against the turbulent background of World War II, Kimberly Brubaker Bradley’s latest is a heartbreaking, hopeful novel that examines the true nature of home, family, disability and perseverance that will make the perfect addition to any home or classroom. The War That Saved My Life is the ideal choice for fans of the historical fiction genre and even the most reluctant of middle grade readers, combining diversity, realism, and exceptional characterization to create a compassionate, captivating tale that promises to take up permanent residency in your heart.

Please Note: All quotations included in this review have been taken from an advance reader copy and therefore might be subject to change.

I read this since my daughter is reading it in school, and I like to be able to talk with her about the books she reads. I started this this afternoon and couldn't put it down and finished it tonight. Will get the second one next!

I decided to read this since it has been recommended on many book lists recently. I enjoy this period tremendously and I felt this book was well written. The characters are realistic and well developed. As an adoptive parent and former foster parent, I would like to give a warning. I would be very hesitant to read this to a class. This book could be very triggering to students with a history of abuse/abandonment. If you do, I would say 5th or 6th grade at the earliest and there would need to be a lot of discussion. An email of warning to the parents about the themes of the book would definitely be important so that parents could help their children process this book. However, this is a really good book and I feel the author does a good job of showing real emotions and the effects of the abuse. It is not your normal "the child was placed in a new environment and magically all of her trauma went away" story line that so many books have. It was such a good representation of triggers and memories and the girl's inner dialogue. I think it could really help a bio sibling or other person to understand the trauma kids around them. The audiobook is very good. *There is a back story in this book that one of the characters lived with her friend from college and disappointed her father. I was wondering about where they were going with this, but nothing more than that was said. I wanted to mention this after reading another reviewer mentioning the lesbian theme. Yes, it could have been implying that, but it wasn't definite. My daughter would never have thought anything about it.

I loved this sweet, heartbreaking story ! It's classified as a book for children, but I'm an adult and didn't find it juvenile at all. The signature of a wonderful book is one that appeals to anyone, regardless of age. Highly recommended !

**SPOILER**In The War That Saved My Life, ten year old Ada Smith has a birth defect;clubfoot.She leaves her terrible home in London with her brother Jamie to escape her cruel mam. When she gets off the train, she discovers many things such as grass and that people ride ponies. But as she stand and waits to be chosen, nobody takes her and Jamie in. Finally a woman named Susan Smith desides to care for them. Ada and Jamie have no idea what she's like or who she is, but in the end an unexpected twist happened that I never saw coming…

It is so handy to be able to completely write off a parent. Makes it a lot easier to make decisions, but I understand that it is also easier for the young readers to make the mental conversions necessary as well. Nevertheless, I liked reading the book. I mean, who hasn't imagined a difficult situation in which we actually take advantage of a situation and learn new skills instead of sitting back and wishing "things" were better? Yes, if only I had... or If I had it to do all over again I would... Just as this heroine did.

I agree with all the prior reviewers. I LUVED this book. I loved it as much as I did "Sarah Plain and Tall" which I correctly predicted would be the Newbery winner. This was that good and I hope it wins some kind of book award. I found one blog where is is short listed for the Newbery.
http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/2015/01/28/2016-newbery/

I absolutely loved this book! I found it in the college library where I work, quite by accident, but I had been longing for a book for children that was set in England. I picked this up because of the cover. It just looked good. And I could barely put it down. I fell in love with Ada. It was just a great book that I think will become a classic.

I don’t normally read grade 5-8 fiction but lately I have become quite attached to it. The story takes place in England during ww2 when children were being relocated to the country. Mom was glad to be rid of her clubfoot daughter and the story goes on from there. A sad/happy/sweet story.

Fro. what ive read its really good. right now I'm about halfway through the book and its amazing. I would totally recommend this to a friend so they can learn not to look at people rudely at a person like Ada.

This is a book that everyone, young and old, should read. It feels honest, and real and not at all contrived. The author is a wonderful storyteller, and I felt as if I was there, a character in the book with the rest of them. It is full of action, humor, tenderness, oh all the things of life. Because that is what it is. A book about a girl named Ada's life. It was beautiful, and I am better for having read it.

This book is one of my FAVORITES. I love the diffrent prespective of a girl that is a cripple. It makes the book so much more different. I love the characters. This is a great book for kids in elemantary school and middle school.

My 10 year old daughter and I used our Kindle and the immersion reading (audio book and ebook to follow the words) to listen/read this book. We enjoyed the narrator. I felt like the book was appropriate 10 year old & was an introduction into WWII and how it affected civilians living in the English country side and the city children who were sent there. This was a very personal story of one girl, Ada, and how being evacuated and leaving her mother ended up being the best thing for her. The only complaint that I have is that the character of Ada's mother is very one-sided (all evil) and not very believable. I wish the author had given some clue as to her extreme dislike and abuse of her children. Through reviews on the store, it seems like this is a very similar story to one that was written in the 1980's, Goodnight Mister Tom. I am just starting to read Goodnight Mister Tom, and it does seem like there are many similarities between the two books.

One of the best written, most heart wrenching books that I have read in years. Beautifully written. Introduces difficult subjects (handicaps, war, fear, child abuse, poverty, parental loss, resilence) in a supportive way. The historical setting of the book makes children interested in learning more about this important time period. I read this as an adult and it held my attention. I recommended it to my niece for her 11 year old son.

A poignant and absolutely beautiful, story. I have just finished listening to the audio version of this book, which is wonderfully done in a British accent by Jayne Entwhistle. I found the story to be very moving. I am now having my three kids listen to the book as well. With apologies to the cover artist, the story is much more beautiful than the cover. The beauty is set against the sad and painful backdrop of Ada's and Jaimie's home life. Let that not deter you. It is a beautiful read. Thank you Ms. Brubaker Bradley!

I read this book for a book club. I don't think I've ever read a 300 page book so quickly before (finished in 2 days). Reviews say there is "lesbianism" in this book, I do not know what they mean but as far as I knew, this book was simply amazing. It was such a good easy to read book.

This book paints a moving and profound story that can be compelling for both young readers and adults. The character development is phenomenal and the range of emotions touched is broad. There are very serious and depressing aspects, so this book isn't for the emotionally immature young reader. Ideal audience may be 12-16 years old.

my teacher read this to me and it was so intense. it was so exciting and gave you plenty of different emotions! i love it and i think you will too... its the best it was awesokme the whole class always groaned when she put the book away!

Fascinating look at WWII England through the eyes of a handicapped girl. Realistic, deeply developed characters who have complicated reactions to what happens around them. Not a cliche in sight! Nothing simple about this children's historical fiction. Couldn't put it down!

This book and its sequel, The War I Finally Won, are up there with Morris Gleitzman's Once series. All are told with children's voices and offer perspectives of war and family that make readers think.

This book about a club-footed young girl named Ada and her brother Jaimie is set at the beginning of WW II. Ada's abusive mother pushes Ada and her brother to run away from London as children are evacuated to the countryside. There they are placed with spinster Susan. This is a wonderful novel about the true meaning of heart and home. It is a Newbery Honor book and should become a classic.

It was hard at first to get into the book because of hardship. & negative awful mother I almost quit reading. But I wanted to talk to my mother in law about it & im glad I did. Cause love the characters woman with strength & honor & truth & power. I found a friend in them & could wait to read again & again

I love reading historical fiction and this is a great book if you like that genre. Kimberly Brubaker Bradley tells an interesting story about a 10 year old girl, crippled from birth, trapped in her mother's anger during the start of World War II. Ada, spends her days looking out the window, yearning to go outside. Her mother is embarassed by Ada's clubfoot and refuses to let her outside. Ada's younger brother, Jamie goes to school everyday, makes friends and gives Ada a portion of his food. One day, Ada finds out that all children will be evacuated to the countryside and is determined to escape her mother's imprisonment.

Ada embarks on an emotional and healing journey with her brother. Will Ada and Jamie find the love that they've missed their entire lives? This is a great summer read!

I agree with all the prior reviewers. I LUVED this book. I loved it as much as I did "Sarah Plain and Tall" which I correctly predicted would be the Newbery winner. This was that good and I hope it wins some kind of book award. I found one blog where is is short listed for the Newbery.
http://blogs.slj.com/heavymedal/2015/01/28/2016-newbery/

Fascinating look at WWII England through the eyes of a handicapped girl. Realistic, deeply developed characters who have complicated reactions to what happens around them. Not a cliche in sight! Nothing simple about this children's historical fiction. Couldn't put it down!

This book is so good i bought it and now I just pick it up and open to a random page and think,hmm I remember that. I highly recommend this book to anyone. Very heartfelt and wonderful. Sometimes you are crying and sometimes laughing. Will not be able to put down.

I loved reading this book! The story took place during the war and how two children who lived in horrendous living conditions ended up being relocated to a life that was just meant to be! It was a wonderful read!

Bradley really gets inside the mind of an abused, physically handicapped child. The historical setting of WWII England provides a "war" metaphor for Ada's physical and emotional battles, as well as a stage on which she can be heroic (as well as providing a darned good story!). Beautifully told, truthful to human longing, this inspiring tale will keep you up at night to finish the last page.

Fro. what ive read its really good. right now I'm about halfway through the book and its amazing. I would totally recommend this to a friend so they can learn not to look at people rudely at a person like Ada.

I this book. It is a great insight into children recovering from trauma from parental abuse. The war as a backdrop is wonderful in illustration the personal war that Ada is fighting, the one for her life. The characters are well-developed and capturing. It is a lovely book.

this was one of the best books I've ever read. its amazing it was recommend by my libraian and didn't really want to read it but i did and loved it and got my friends to read it to! totally recommend for tween and teens

This book is so good i bought it and now I just pick it up and open to a random page and think,hmm I remember that. I highly recommend this book to anyone. Very heartfelt and wonderful. Sometimes you are crying and sometimes laughing. Will not be able to put down.

Per my 11 year old daughter..."breathtaking and hard to put down". She loves books in general, but can be slightly picky. This book however, she managed to finish in 2 days. Would highly recommend.

I loved this book so much!!!! I cryed half of the time but it was still awesome!!! Is there actually such thing as a clubfoot on a horse? I got sucked in and finished it in about two days!!!( I do that sometimes)

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Per my 11 year old daughter..."breathtaking and hard to put down". She loves books in general, but can be slightly picky. This book however, she managed to finish in 2 days. Would highly recommend.

Even though this is classified as juvenile fiction, adults will enjoy it too. The book is heartbreaking at times, but love prevails. I cried at the end, and that almost never happens to me. Highly recommended!

I loved this book. It drew me in and kept me there. My 11 y.o. daughter and 7 y.o. son both thoroughly enjoyed it as well, and even my husband sat through our reading aloud on many occasions. It's very satisfying to see how the main character unfolds and grows, and the process blesses the other characters and community as well.

I really really enjoyed reading this terrific new historical fiction middle grade novel: the history is well researched and compellingly told, the violent abuse and neglect of Ada and Jamie is shared with a light touch, and Ada and Susan's growth is slowly, carefully and delicately constructed and well earned.

Reading this book certainly makes me want to read more of Kimberly Brubaker Bradley! Go find this tender gem of a book and devour it.

This book is a compelling work of literature with themes and messages that are inappropriate for young readers. The child abuse depicted in the book leaves permanent physical damage and psychological scars on the child Ada. The author describes Ada being abused, being starved, having no sense of self worth, having PTSD from the horrors inflicted on her, having no sense of human contact that isn't painful, and having to deal with be permanently crippled because her mother refused to get her timely medical care. Yes, Ada learns her own self worth and how to love, but the light doesn't outweigh the darkness in this book. This is the stuff that burns out adult Child Protective Services workers who have to deal with it. If adults have difficulties with this subject matter, why would you direct young readers to read it? This book should have been marketed to much older readers.

Unbelievable that only two of the 400 plus reviews mentioned the subtle lesbianism content of this book. It was not the main theme, but it was there. Purchased this book for my granddaughter, she will not receive it. Nowhere in the description is this mentioned. This is why I read all books before giving them to the grands.

This book and its sequel, The War I Finally Won, are up there with Morris Gleitzman's Once series. All are told with children's voices and offer perspectives of war and family that make readers think.

This book was recommended by a fellow student for a college education class. I was a little hesitant but was quickly entranced in the story. My heart broke, leaped for joy, broke even more and left me with tears in my eyes and a smile on my face. I highly recommend this book and sharing with your young readers.

Well written, moving, sad, happy, impossible to put down once you start it! From the view point of an eleven year old girl who overcame incredible hardships and matured during a personal and world war.

This book is one of my FAVORITES. I love the diffrent prespective of a girl that is a cripple. It makes the book so much more different. I love the characters. This is a great book for kids in elemantary school and middle school.

Excellent book for whole family. This was a nightly read before bed. Some parts such as a soldier’s death and verbal and physical abuse was intense for our nine year old but it is true to history and sadly, for some, life.

When it takes a war to save your life, that was a tough life. A “survivor” of physical and psychological abuse comes into her own, despite herself. Ada’s obvious physical disability fades into insignificance in comparison with her crippled self-worth. The concluding scenes of the book are historically informative for young readers, and nice warm fuzzies for all ages.

Love this book! I dare you not to cry! Characters are all likeable. Kids should read for sympathy and empathy.... Ada's mom is a horrible person that tells her she's crap and useless only for a clubfoot. WWII story set in London. Less about Nazi's and Jews and more about a girls self esteem and struggles...

A SUSPENSEFUL TALE OF FANTASTIC PLOT TWISTS
This book was pretty much brilliant all around and will not disappoint your (hopefully) high hopes. The War That Set Me Free makes you realize what you take for granted, and is impossible to take a break from. This book makes you appreciate your freedom, and introduces characters you can feel for. The things you’ve realized you’ve taken for granted makes you want to continue to read and discover more, the book also makes you appreciate your freedom when characters struggle to find their identity when they are discouraged to go outside and explore the world at the young ages of 4 and 8. In Kimberly Brubaker Bradley’s historical fiction book, A girl named Ada is challenged with a clubfoot (her right foot is twisted backwards permanently) and her mother is abusing her out of shame. In the beginning Ada’s mother thinks the clubfoot is ugly and improper and doesn’t belong anywhere past the walls of their house. In the middle, Ada and her younger brother Jamie are forced to abandon their cruel mother to go to England’s countryside to escape Hitler’s bombs. Lastly, in the countryside Ada and Jamie learn what having a loving parent is like, all while facing the challenges of the brand-new experiences that occur. We learn that sometimes the impossible is possible, and that sometimes it’s not as bad as you think.

This story will introduce you to new characters you can really sympathize for, like when Ada faces the troubles of her clubfoot, but somehow finds a way to resolve things. In the text it states, ‘’I stood by the chair that first day, wobbling. I slowly shifted some of my weight from my left foot to my right. I gasped… Pain stabbed my ankle like a knife,’’(pg.9). When readers read this part of the story, they automatically sympathize for Ada and her clubfoot. They realize the hardship of being disabled, but on top of that having a parent that hits you out of shame. Another bit of this book that makes you sympathize and cheer for characters is when Ada catches a german spie, and at first police don’t believe her, but ends up thanking her for her brave service to the nation during World War 2. The officers end up giving Ada a scarce and valuable medal. An onion. ‘’ ‘I need to apologize to your daughter ma’am,’ he said. When he saw me, he swept off his hat and bowed. ‘I should have believed you,’ he said. ‘I’m sorry. A grateful nation thanks you for your service.’ With great ceremony, he handed me an onion.’’(pg.181). When readers read this part of the story, they can rejoice with Ada and realize what life for Ada is truly like: People doubt her all the time because of her clubfoot, but when she proves the people wrong, we can celebrate with her and enjoy these types of moments in the book.

This part of the book will introduce you to a part when you begin to appreciate your freedom. One moment in the book is when Ada isn’t allowed to go outside, but only to look from the inside from a window. The text states,‘’We played games and sang songs and watched the world out the window… But the one time I did venture outdoors, Mam found out, and beat me until my shoulders bled,’’ (pg.4). Readers see how lucky it is to have freedom here when Ada’s mother beats her for going outside. Readers will probably begin to image what their life would be like if they would be punished for going outside, a task most of us accomplish every day. In the text it reads,‘’ ‘Ada! Get back from that window!’ Mam’s voice, shouting. Mam’s arm, grabbing mine, yanking me so I toppled off my chair and fell hard to the floor… Mam smacked me. Hard,’’(pg.1). Readers will experience what the true meaning of freedom is here when Ada’s own mom smacks her for looking out a window. Readers will also see how other people treat Ada and her freedom and how Ada handles it.

Lastly, readers will learn what they take for granted from Ada’s journey like plain old feet to train rides and grass. The text reads,‘’The train was miserable, of course. Some cried and one got sick in the corner of the car… No loo’s (bathrooms), nothing to drink, and we’d eaten all our bread… The buildings ended and suddenly there was green. Green everywhere. Bright, vibrant, astonishing green… I stared mesmerized. ‘What’s that?’ ‘Grass,’ Jamie said,’’ (pg.25). Readers will experience a miserable train ride from Ada’s eyes and maybe, the next time they board a train, they won’t complain about the smell, the passengers, or even design of the train. Ada’s experience will make them recognize a true desperate and struggle-filled situation. The text states,‘’The doctor unwrapped the bandage. ‘My, my.’ he said, cradling my foot in his hand. ‘An untreated clubfoot. I’ve never seen one before.’ ‘’ (pg.49). Readers will fully understand what they take for granted and to not complain when things might not be to their liking. Readers should continue to put themselves in Ada’s shoes and to put Ada in your shoes to.

Ada deals with abuse, the challenges of growing up, and unfamiliar situations throughout the story but finally manages to find her place in the world and influences the people around her to be more caring and to always see the good side in people. While reading this book, we learn that sometimes the impossible is possible, and that sometimes it’s not as bad as you think. I would recommend this book to grades 4-8 who like learning about their history and finally, I award this book with five gold stars!