Book Review - The War That Saved My Life
The first time I read this book, I was sitting cross-legged on the carpeted floor of our bonus room, hands curved around a mug of hot tea, listening to my mom read aloud. Read alouds were by far my favorite part of homeschooling. I would stretch out either on the couch, or more often, the floor, and let my mind get lost in a story. Our large bonus room, crowded with desks, loose paper, and textbooks would fade from my mind as I became fully immersed in another world, another time. No history textbook brought the past to life in such a colorful way as a good historical fiction. Of the many books we read, there were a few that remain more sharply in my mind than the others, simply because of their sheer excellence - from classics, such as Johnny Tremain and The Witch of Blackbird Pond, alongside newer books, like The Great Turkey Walk and the titular book of this post, The War That Saved My Life.
Although I categorize The War That Saved My Life with newer novels rather than classics, I have no doubt that when time does its work, this beautiful historical fiction will join the ranks of modern classics.
The War That Saved My Life is an engaging, heart-warming story by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley about a girl named Ada and her experience during World War II. Set in London and the English countryside, Ada, who has a crippled foot, is always kept indoors by her hard-hearted mother, Mam. Mam feeds Ada the poisonous message that her foot makes her worthless and treats her like a servant rather than a daughter. Ada’s younger brother, Jamie, is the only person who is kind to Ada, aside from the few people that wave at her from below the apartment window. However, Jamie is often at school, or outside with friends so most of the time, Ada is on her own. When World War II breaks out across Europe, Ada’s life takes a dramatic turn - for better or worse remains to be seen. All the children in London are sent away to the countryside for safety, including Jamie. Mam decides that it isn’t worth sending Ada with the other evacuees. Ada, spirited and head-strong, decides she will not wait to be bombed, but will escape along with her brother. She teaches herself to walk, a long and painstaking process. Then, in the middle of the night, Ada and Jamie escape their apartment, and are taken away from London and their unknowing mother. In a lucky turn of events, Ada and Jamie are taken to live with Susan Smith, a woman with her own unhappy past, who insists that she is “not a nice person;” however, she takes care of Ada and Jamie in the way they never knew at home. Ada, despite Susan’s care, continues to struggle with her injured foot, the secrets her mother kept from her, her own self-worth, and worst of all, whether or not Mam will find out where they’d gone and come to take them back. The War That Saved My Life, is a very inspiring story, despite all its hardship. Ada is a strong heroine who becomes stronger as a result of her hardship. However, her weaknesses, physical and otherwise, keep her relatable to the reader. The War That Saved My Life is an incredible book about friendship, confidence, and learning to lean on others. It is an excellent book for all ages, and anyone who enjoys a story with a brave heroine and a suspenseful, edge of your seat experience.