The War that Saved My Life
Author: Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Awards: Newbery
Grade Level:3rd-5th
Summary: Ada has a clubfoot which her mom hates and treats her as if she is slow. Because of how embarrassed she is of Ada, she never allows her to leave the apartment, go to school or play outside like her younger brother Jamie. When Ada gets punished, she is forced into the closet. Because of the war, children in London are being evacuated because of fear that there will be a bombing. Ada's mom plans to send Jamie away but told Ada that she is too slow for anyone to take her in. Ada runs away with Jamie and lies about her foot when adults ask her about it. No one selects them so they are forced upon Susan Smith, who now lives alone because her best friend died. Although Susan isn't happy about the situation, she provides them with food, clothes and shelter. Ada struggles liking her and is always afraid that Susan is going to hit her because that is what she is accustomed to. While living with Susan, Ada begins to learn to ride horses and even read. Over time they grow on each other and Susan even tries to help her get her foot fixed but she needs to have their mother's permission. Mam never writes back but one day comes to pick them up because she is angry that she has to pay have them live with Susan so she takes them back home. Jamie is at first excited but then remembers how Mam actually is. Mam admits that she never wanted children but their dad did and when he died she was left with them. Ada comes up with the idea that if Susan takes them for free if she would allow them to go back and Mam is thrilled about that idea. They find out that Susan was coming back to get them anyways because she learned that she really does care about the kids and they saved her life. When they arrive back, Susan's house was bombed but everyone was thrilled to know that her and the kids were safe and alive.
Evaluation: This has to be my new favorite childrens' book. I am for sure going to read this to my students as I think it is the perfect way to encourage Historical Fiction to my students. I think this is also a great way to introduce what happened during World War II because it is a difficult subject for students to understand and to have it in a form of a story allows students to better grasp what happened.
Awards: Newbery
Grade Level:3rd-5th
Summary: Ada has a clubfoot which her mom hates and treats her as if she is slow. Because of how embarrassed she is of Ada, she never allows her to leave the apartment, go to school or play outside like her younger brother Jamie. When Ada gets punished, she is forced into the closet. Because of the war, children in London are being evacuated because of fear that there will be a bombing. Ada's mom plans to send Jamie away but told Ada that she is too slow for anyone to take her in. Ada runs away with Jamie and lies about her foot when adults ask her about it. No one selects them so they are forced upon Susan Smith, who now lives alone because her best friend died. Although Susan isn't happy about the situation, she provides them with food, clothes and shelter. Ada struggles liking her and is always afraid that Susan is going to hit her because that is what she is accustomed to. While living with Susan, Ada begins to learn to ride horses and even read. Over time they grow on each other and Susan even tries to help her get her foot fixed but she needs to have their mother's permission. Mam never writes back but one day comes to pick them up because she is angry that she has to pay have them live with Susan so she takes them back home. Jamie is at first excited but then remembers how Mam actually is. Mam admits that she never wanted children but their dad did and when he died she was left with them. Ada comes up with the idea that if Susan takes them for free if she would allow them to go back and Mam is thrilled about that idea. They find out that Susan was coming back to get them anyways because she learned that she really does care about the kids and they saved her life. When they arrive back, Susan's house was bombed but everyone was thrilled to know that her and the kids were safe and alive.
Evaluation: This has to be my new favorite childrens' book. I am for sure going to read this to my students as I think it is the perfect way to encourage Historical Fiction to my students. I think this is also a great way to introduce what happened during World War II because it is a difficult subject for students to understand and to have it in a form of a story allows students to better grasp what happened.
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