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The War That Saved My Life

The War That Saved My Life

Author: Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Genre: Historical Fiction
Book dealing with special needs
Award: Newbery Honor
Grade: 4th grade and up


The story is set in World War II. Ada Smith is a 10-year-old girl who is born with a club foot. She only stays indoors and does not get out because her mother is humiliated because of her foot. An order came from the government so the children have to evacuate London. She saw this as an opportunity to leave the house and escape from her very mean mother. Miss Smith does not want any children but she ended up taking them anyways. Miss Smith took care of them, bathe them, took Ada to the doctor for her foot and even helped her with her crutches. She started making friends and her depression eased. Ada’s mother came back for her and his brother and they went back to their apartment. Ada’s mother does not want her to walk or even want to take care of them either so Ada and his brother left early morning to go back to Susan but a bombed went off and they got held back. Susan was looking for them and they all got reunited and they both thanked each other for saving each of their lives.

I really like this story because not only is it history based it is also relatable emotionally. Ada’s personality is really strong and courageous because she really wants to get better. She is a strong character because even though she limps, she has determination and perseverance. I would recommend this to students 4th grade and up because it is a chapter book. The story is very well written and I like how it is told in the first person so that the students will be able to understand and feel what Ada is feeling.




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