The War That Saved My Life

The War That Saved My Life
Author: Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Genre: Historic Fiction
Awards: Newberry Honor
Grades: 3-7

This is a historic fiction book about a young girl who has a walking disability. It is based in London during World War II. The little girl, Ada, has little brother named Jamie and lives with her mother who beats, neglects, and treats her like an animal. The mother is embarrassed and frustrated about her daughters disability and takes it out on Ada. The government forces the children to be moved to the countryside, but mam chooses not to send Ada away. However, Ada sneaks away to be with her brother. They are sent away on a train. When arriving to the countryside there are people waiting to pick up children to live with as the war goes on. No one wanted her and Jamie and was forced to go live with Miss Susan. At first, Miss Susan did not want the children but, as time went on their relationship began to grow. This would be a great book to assign in class because it shows how not to judge a person about how they are on the outside.