Yesterday, I shared a great WWII historical fiction book that won a Newbery Honor this year. Echo is a great book and fabulous audio book. Go check it out, especially if you love music.
Today, I am sharing a fantastic WWII historical fiction book that also won a Newbery Honor this year. The War that Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley is a great middle grade fiction book set during WWII in the southern part of England.
I give The War that Saved My Life 5 out of 5 stars; it is that amazing of a book. The story line is fantastic. The character development of Ada, the main character, as well as the secondary characters are solid and well done. The pace of the story is fast and enjoyable with no slow or lagging parts. Plus, the messages portrayed in the story are beautiful and timeless. I absolutely love how Ada and Susan heal each other. This book is an all around excellent book that is so well written. Bradley entwines the history with the story and development of many characters so perfectly. Her Newbery Honor is well deserved.
Even though this is a middle grade fiction book, I believe this would make an excellent book club selection. The lessons learned, emotions felt, and the good and bad characters make this book a great discussion piece. You will be happy, mad, frustrated, sad, worried, excited, and more. This book will take you on a ride, and you will love every minute of it.
The War that Saved My Life is a clean read, though the mother does abuse the kids. This book would make an excellent read aloud for a 6th grade classroom especially b/c they learn about world history in social studies. However, what Ada experiences from her mother and her own feelings can really provide for a lot of teaching and character building.
I really loved this book. I loved so many aspects of it. I loved how stubborn and hurt Ada was, but how she was able to love eventually. I loved her love for horses. I loved Susan's kindness, and how she really had to teach Ada and Jamie everything from cleanliness to what love and family truly is. I loved learning more of the history of that time period. I loved learning how WWII impacted people in England. I loved learning that kids were sent out of London to live with others b/c of the fear of bombing in the city. I loved learning that the German U Boats bombed more than military ships but impacted products, including food, being sent to people in England.
Overall, this and The Nightingale are the best historical fictions I have read in a really really long time.
Go check this book out.
Just to give you a little more info into the story line Amazon has the following book description:
"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."
This book is amazing! Have you read it? What did you think?
Happy Absolutely Fantastic WWII Historical Fiction reading!
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