Historical Fiction-Book Review #4

 Historical Fiction-Book Review #4 

THE WAR THAT SAVED MY LIFE

BY KIMBERLY BRUBAKER BRADLEY

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bradley, Kimberly. 2015. THE WAR THAT SAVED MY LIFE. New York, NY: Puffin Books. ISBN 9780147510488

PLOT SUMMARY

Ada lives in London in a tiny apartment with her mother and brother Jamie.  Ada has never been allowed outside because her mother is ashamed by her clubbed foot, which makes it nearly impossible for her to walk.  Her mother is abusive to both Ada and her brother, but targets Ada in particular.  Ada is often hit, beaten and even locked in a moldy, cockroach infested cabinet. Ada dreams about someday walking and making her mother proud.

One day Jamie comes home and tells Ada that all the children are being evacuated to the country to be safe from the German bombs.  This gives Ada the motivation to walk, but only very short distances because it causes her great pain.  The day of the evacuations Jamie and Ada sneak out in the early hours of the morning and are taken on a long trip to the country with the other children.  They are eventually taken in by Susan Smith who is practically forced to take them into her home.  Susan lives alone and treats Jamie and Ada well, giving them everything they need including emotional support.  Ada is relieved to be away from her mother, she becomes physically stronger, but she is still troubled emotionally.  She has a difficult time accepting any kindness and material things from Susan, she often has a very difficult time dealing with this and seeks comfort in Susan's pony which she becomes very attached to.  As the war progresses her biggest fear is becoming too attached and having to go back home one day with her abusive mother.  The day comes when she is forced to go back with her mother, Susan is the person they wish to be with and who will fight to get them back.  She gives them the love and unconditional support their biological mother never did, Susan is the mother they wished for their whole life.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Bradley write about a ten year girl who has never left her apartment because of her clubbed foot and her abusive mother who will not allow her to leave the apartment, she is ashamed of her daughter and does not want anyone to see her.  Ada's mother is very abusive and Bradley transports us to Ada's world of abusive, verbal and physical abuse.  The punishment Ada has to deal with are horrific and we are taken there through the detail of the punishment.  We feel the abuse, the beatings, the smell of the moldy sink cabinet filled with cockroaches.  Ada's feelings of disappointment keep the reader engaged throughout the whole story.

  It is a very moving and touching story of survival and learning how to accept the good things that come your way even if you feel you do not deserve them.  The characters are well developed, I admire Ada's devotion to her brother and her ability to survive a horrible childhood.  Many parts of the book are sad, but it is a very uplifting story.

Although this is a historical fiction book as it is set during World War II, it really is not about the war but more about a child overcoming incredible obstacles and surviving abuse.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

A Newbery Honor Book

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: "Bradley celebrates Ada's discovery of the world outside her dismal flat, movingly tracing her growing trust of strangers and her growing affection for Miss Smith. Proving that her courage and compassion carr far more power than her disability, Ada earns self-respect, emerges a hero, and learns the meaning of home."

KIRKUS: "Set against a backdrop of war and sacrifice, Ada's personal fight for freedom and ultimate triumph are cause for celebration."

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "Readers will ache for her as she misreads cues and pushes Susan away even though she yearns to be unfolded in a hug. There is much to like here--Ada's engaging voice, the vivid setting, the humor, the heartbreak, but most of all the tenacious will to survive exhibited by Ada and the villagers who grow to love and accept her."

CONNECTIONS
*Encourage, research and create discussion about World War II and why it was common to send children away,
*Have students draw their mental images of what the country was like for Ada with Susan and draw what their mental images are of London and Ada's old apartment.
*Encourage student to read other books written by the great author Kimberly Brubaker Bradley:
FOR FREEDOM: THE STORY OF A FRENCH SPY. ISBN 9780440418313
THE WAR I FINALLY WON. ISBN 9780525429203
THE PRESIDENT'S DAUGHTER. ISBN 9780440419952