~ MMGM 'The War That Saved My Life ' ~

~ MIDDLE-GRADE HISTORICAL
FICTION FEATURE ~
-- 'The War that Saved My Life'
by Author Kimberly Brubaker Bradley --

LEARN MORE ON GOODREADS

--ABOUT THE BOOK {from Goodreads}: An exceptionally moving story of triumph against all odds set during World War 2, from the acclaimed author of Jefferson’s Sons and for fans of Number the Stars.

Nine-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 of 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. 

--ABOUT THE AUTHOR {from Goodreads}:   I grew up loving books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, Lois Lenski, L.M. Montgomery, Madeline L'Engle, K.M. Peyton, Noel Streatfield, Mary Norton, and Sydney Taylor. Patricia MacLachlan and Jane Yolen helped me start writing.

As a child I always imagined how wonderful it would be to wake up to a pony in the back yard, but the way the farm I live on now sits it makes better sense for the pastures to be in the front of the house. So I look out my office windows on Gully and Sarah, Pal and Mickey, Syd and Silver, and my son's red pony Hot Wheels. We have utility cats and not enough dogs.

I have no idea what inspires my stories. They aren't inspired, they're written: it's work. If you ask me this question in public I'll give you some sort of answer, but it won't be the truth. The truth is, I have no idea.

--MY REVIEW:   This 2016 Newbery Honor Book is another excellent middle-grade historical novel about World War II. The story is set in London and Kent at the beginning of the war.

The main character, Ada, has a club foot and has suffered verbal and physical abuse at the hands of her 'Mam' since she was born. These parts of the story were difficult to read, as her mother was the worst kind of parent in every sense of the word.

Because of her deformity, Ada's mother makes her stay inside their flat. Ada is not allowed outside for any reason, and she has been denied the right to attend school. She has no friends.

Ada takes care of her younger brother, Jamie. He is able to go out to play with his friends and to attend school. He is also afraid of their Mam, but it appears that he is not nearly as abused as Ada. Ada shelters him from their mother as much as she possibly can.

When the government feels German bombing of London is imminent, the children are sent to live with other families out in Kent. The evacuees are divided up amongst the villagers. Ada and Jamie are the last ones to be placed. They live with a single woman named Susan Smith.

I will not spoil the story for you by going into any further detail. There is a second book in the series titled, 'The War I Finally Won'. I can't wait to read what happens to Ada and Jamie. There are a dozen and a half other books by this author listed on Goodreads, and I will likely try them all.

This is a story where the characters, setting, and events stick with you--even if you want to forget some of the really bad scenes and cruelty Ada and Jamie endure. This author has written a powerful, multi-layered tale based on true historical events as they occurred in the United Kingdom in the 1940s. This was a very emotional read for me because of the horrible things these siblings suffered through in their young lives. I believe when a reader feels an emtional attachment to the characters the author has done her job!

Highly recommended for fans of middle-grade fiction, historical fiction, World War II fiction, and readers who like to see characters triumph over the obstacles on their journey of life.
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Borrowed from the local public library.

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COMING SOON ON 'READING, WRITING & STITCH-METIC': 

-- Tuesday, April 10th: Book spotlight and review of a gardening book written by authors Chantal Aida Gordon & Ryan Benoit. Blogging for Books Blog Tour.

-- Wednesday, April 11th: Cedar Fort Author Nedra Secrist will be my guest on the blog for an author interview and spotlight on her new book about perennials.

-- Thursday, April 12th: Review of Author Tracie Peterson's newest release, 'In Places Hidden'. Bethany House Blog Tour.

-- Friday, April 13th: Book Spotlight and Snippet for 'A Place Called Hope'. SLB Tours.
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