The War that Saved My Life

The War that Saved My Life

By Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

55 ratings 65 reviews 76 followers
Interest LevelReading LevelReading A-ZATOSWord Count
Grades 4 - 8Grades 10 - 9Z4.162451

#1 New York Times Bestseller
Newbery Honor Book
Winner of the Schneider Family Book Award (Middle School)
Wall Street Journal Best Children's Books of 2015
New York Public Library's 100 Books for Reading and Sharing 

An exceptionally moving story of triumph against all odds set during World War II, from the acclaimed author of Jefferson’s Sons and for fans of Number the Stars.
 
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?
 
This masterful work of historical fiction is equal parts adventure and a moving tale of family and identity—a classic in the making.

Publisher: Puffin Books
ISBN-13: 9780147510488
ISBN-10: 0147510481
Published on 5/31/2016
Binding: Paperback
Number of pages: 352

Book Reviews (64)

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Mo Mo

I love this book

AMAZING BOOK! This is about a girl Ada. She has a mean mother who doesn't let her out of the one room apartment house because of her club foot. Also when she does something bad she has to go in the cabinet which has many roaches in it. Jamie is her brother, and he is planned to get shipped out due to the war and safety issues. Ada, during summer has learned to walk and she escapes with Jamie. They get taken to Miss Smith's house and she has to take care of them. Miss Smith is way more kind than Ada's mother. She gives them proper meals and Ada can go out of the house and ride horses and such. She meets new friends like "Maggie" the daughter of Iron Face Lady or Mrs. Thorton the head of the W.V. S also and gets invited over to tea with Colonel and Stephen but, Ada declines several times. Butter is Miss Smith or Susan's horse and he gets too long finger nails and Mr. Fred has to cut them because Ada was complaining that Butter could not go faster. How she became friends with Maggie is she rescued her and brought her home because Maggie's horse threw her off. During this time Ada also sees a spy and reports him to the police and he really actually turns out to be a spy!

this book is good and i like ho wyou can read it and you can get up close this book is the best i would recamoud this for every one

This book is such a great book! If I could I'd give this book more then 5 stars. This book is about a 10 year old girl named Ada. Ada gets abused by her Mother for being a cripple. Ada has a club foot, and you might wonder why her mother just didn't get a treatment? Because Ada's family has financial issues since there father died. Ada has 1 sibling named Jamie he is 6 years old. When World War 2 breaks out, children are supposed to get evacuated but Ada's mother won't bother to evacuate Ada. So Ada escapes and leaves with Jamie, when it's time for children to be taken nobody wants to take Jamie and Ada. There was a few people that wanted Jamie but Ada lied about him so they don't get separated. The last option was to go to a woman named Miss. Smith. At first, Miss Smith was miserable and didn't want Ada and Jamie. But then she started to love them and filled their life with joy, happiness and more. If you want more information on the book, you should read it!

Such an amazing book! It was filled with many wonders and brought me great joy!

applebutter8 applebutter8

I LOVE THIS BOOK!! to all of the people in the world who have not read this book go get it right now!! this book is not only interesting but shows love,sadness,heartbreak,pain,worry,and joy. THIS IS A MUST READ FOR ALL AGES! unless you are two or so. :D

it is a really good book i wish that she didnt get in trubble when she did or not get hert like she did it is going really good so far i love it it is my favorit battle book love it😍😍😍😍😍😻I think you should read It.

This book is a sad one so make sure to grab some tissues. This book is about a girl named Ada and her younger brother Jamie. Ada is abused by her mother because she has a crippled foot, her mother blames Ada. Jamie is more loved because he is not crippled and is normal (he still gets hit sometimes.). When there mother is told her children must be evacuated for the threats of bombing seemed very high for London from the ongoing war, she decides Jamie can go but Ada can not because no one would want a crippled girl. Ada decides one night she will go with Jamie and sneaks out. Will Jamie's help she makes it to the train and a short while later they are placed with Susan Smith, a woman who does not want to care for the children. Along the way Susan discovers her love to Jamie & Ada and she cares about them deeply. A very amazing and emotional book, I couldn't take my eyes off for one moment. Read the book!! Thanks for reading - Ajg15's Reviews

Great book about WW2 from a very different perspective! Shows that you should be valued no matter what! Definitely a great read!!!

I have written a poetic summary below. Hope you find it helpful. Ada, the neglected child, The love from her mam was less than mild. Her brother Jamie is the only one, Who loves her and believes she’s not done. Ada escapes with her evacuating brother, With the pain in her foot too aching not to bother. But nobody wants to take them in, For they looked like they’ve been in the bin. They got forced upon Susan Smith, And to her raising children is like a myth. The teachers of the village won’t let Ada go to school, Because she’s never been to one they think she is a fool. She learns to ride a horse and makes a friend called Margaret, She had rescued the friend from and accident and starts to earn respect. Susan and the children start to form a bond, Deep down of each other they are very fond. She makes more friends and even learns how to write, She’s starting to learn how to be strong, and fight. Hitler’s war is everywhere, bombs bursting in the air, Citizens and evacuees are taught to be aware. Ada knows about the war, and is determined to play her part, She’s alert, catches a spy, and wins the villages heart. Then mam comes to retrieve the kids, smiling like an evil bunny, For she found out that evacuating costs a lot of money. Their lives go back to a terrible nightmare, Where mam would laugh if they got eaten by a bear. The two siblings found out the rough, The rough truth that their mam gave no love. The sirens blare, they run into shelters, Where it’s filled with confused kids and elders. Then god took pity, they ran into Susan, Finally love, no more abusin’. Their house was burned down like an old and tired moth, But their love held them together, like the threads of a cloth.

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