From the Bookshelf of Mock Newbery 2026…

The War That Saved My Life (The War That Saved My Life, #1)

Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Start date: January 10, 2016

Finish date: January 31, 2016

Discussion: Newbery 2016

Why we're reading this: Winner of our Mock Newbery
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Newbery 2016

* And the 2016 Winners Are...
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last updated Jan 21, 2016 11:58AM

Our Mock 2016 Award
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What Members Thought

Jan 23, 2016 Barbara rated it really liked it

Shelves: bullies, social-studies, animals, elderly-characters, teachers, loss, body-image, friendship, community, read-aloud

There are so many things to love about this book: the complexity of its characters, many of whom are dealing with their own sorrows, and the way a little kindness can nurture self-esteem, to mention only two. Yes, there are plenty of children's stories about how children and adults can change one anothers' lives for the good, but this one seems particularly appealing because of the author's deft way of handling difficult situations and her moving writing. Born with a club foot to an exceptionall There are so many things to love about this book: the complexity of its characters, many of whom are dealing with their own sorrows, and the way a little kindness can nurture self-esteem, to mention only two. Yes, there are plenty of children's stories about how children and adults can change one anothers' lives for the good, but this one seems particularly appealing because of the author's deft way of handling difficult situations and her moving writing. Born with a club foot to an exceptionally cruel mother, Ada Smith spends her days waving from her window at her neighbors who pass along the street. As WWII threatens the safety of London, the authorities decide that children should be sent to the countryside for safety. Because her mother has no plans to send Ada there, she summons the courage to leave her room and board the train that leaves the city. She and Jamie end up being placed with Susan Smith who is so mired in her own loss and sorrow over the death of her beloved Becky that she wants nothing to do with the children. (Although Becky was her best friend, and neither woman was married, Susan and her father are estranged, which hints that perhaps he didn't approve of the relationship or some of her own choices. The author is a master of understatement, saying one thing and yet, hinting at so much more as seen in this sentence: "Miss Smith was not a nice person, but the bed she put us in was soft and clean, with smooth thin blankets and warm thicker ones" (p. 43). These sorts of comments are sprinkled throughout the story, allowing readers to surmise that while Susan might not behave in the typical ways of so-called "nice" women, she has a compassionate heart, and is actually quite nice. Readers' hearts will break at just how isolated Ada and Jamie have been, never having seen a bank or sheets or had Christmas presents or even known much kindness during their bleak lives. Ada falls in love with Butter, Becky's pony, and uses her fondness for the animal to give her strength to endure hard times. Clearly, she suffers from PTSD since she describes "going away" when faced with words or actions that are hard for her to bear. Susan is determined to gain permission for an operation to improve Ada's ability to walk, but her mother never responds to her letters. When she finally does show up, it's only to keep from having to pay money for the children's care. There are so many scenes that moved me. I loved the bond between Jamie and Bovril, the stray cat he befriends and the way Susan rushes to defend Jamie's use of his left hand at school when she realizes that he's being subjected to torture by a misguided teacher. Ultimately, though, I especially loved the fact that the title can be interpreted on several levels with WWII necessitating Ada's move to a safer, more nurturing environment where she can thrive, but also the war Ada herself fought against her mother and the negative seeds she planted about Ada in her daughter's own mind. Richly layered and filled with emotion, this one is sure to be beloved by many intermediate readers and be read again and again. This one surely deserved its recognition as a Newbery Honor book. ...more

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Nov 22, 2015 Denise Brickler rated it it was amazing

This should win every single award possible, including the 2016 Newberry Award. If it doesn't win, I will write a strongly worded angry letter. ...more

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Nov 04, 2015 Courtney rated it it was amazing

Shelves: juvenile, newbery, fiction, 2016

I have not read a Middle Grade book this quickly ever. I read a review that called this Anne of Green Gables without the whimsy and that is spot on.

I won't give you a summary here, but what I will tell you is that I rooted for Ada and Jamie throughout the novel. And in the end I cried and wished there was more of the story to still be read. ...more

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Nov 14, 2015 Teresa Garrett rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction, middle-grade, war, family-drama, fiction

Ada is crippled and resigned her life with an abusive mother in London at the beginning of WWII. When it seems the war will endanger London parents send their children to the countryside to escape the bombing. Ada's brother is scheduled to leave with all the other children but for some reason Ada is not supposed to go. Fearing for her brother's safety Ada painfully leaves her flat and goes with him to the train station and miraculously leaves with him. Ada is used to the idea she is useless and Ada is crippled and resigned her life with an abusive mother in London at the beginning of WWII. When it seems the war will endanger London parents send their children to the countryside to escape the bombing. Ada's brother is scheduled to leave with all the other children but for some reason Ada is not supposed to go. Fearing for her brother's safety Ada painfully leaves her flat and goes with him to the train station and miraculously leaves with him. Ada is used to the idea she is useless and hideous thanks to her mother's continuous harangues. However no one seems to be staring at her any more than anyone else on the train. When the children reach their destination no one wants Jamie and Ada which just reinforces Ada's belief she is useless. The lady in charge takes Ada and Jamie to Susan and more or less just leaves them there though it is clear they are not wanted and don't want to stay. Ada is not sure how old she or Jamie are and because Ada has lived her life imprisoned by her mother she is very ignorant of anything beyond the lane she lived on in London. Susan does her best to help Ada and Jamie first by cleaning them up and feeding them more food than they have ever seen. Susan however is very sad perhaps even depressed by the death of a close friend so from time to time she is unable to help herself or the children. Ada is so used to a life of abuse she can't relax enough to let Susan help her so Susan becomes sneaky about it. Ada and Susan are shocked to learn that Ada should never have ended up crippled from a club foot because it could have been repaired easily when she was born. Ada is upset that her mother denied her a normal life and wonders why? In the end Susan become a fierce advocate for Ada and Jamie trying to help and protect them from the harshness of life during war and from the cruelty of their mother. The shadow of their abusive past hovers and threatens to destroy the family they have become with Susan. A powerful story you can't put down because you want the best for everyone involved. Great historical background of WWII in England. ...more

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Sep 16, 2015 Lisa rated it it was amazing

Shelves: childrens, award-winners, middle-grade

I'm a school librarian, and I've known for some time now that The War that Saved My Life was a book of some importance. It has a Newbery Honor under its belt after all, and certainly had before that, a great deal of well-deserved buzz. But I've found that while reading some great ones in the past---The Nightingale, The Book Thief, and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society come to mind, all earning five bright shiny stars from me---I've been tending to shy away from any book that coul ...more

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Jan 03, 2016 Susie rated it really liked it

This book showed some different sides of WWII as it unfolded in England. There would be so many sides to Ada's story, after a life of being confined to an apartment with a damaged foot. A few things felt a bit contrived, but it was a very emotional story. I wondered why Susan and the children would stay in a home next to an airfield; wouldn't that be a likely target? There are many poignant moments in the book. ...more

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Jul 26, 2015 Christina rated it liked it

Shelves: middle-school, 2015-kids-ya, 2017-caudills

Ada, an abused girl with an untreated clubfoot living in London in the late 1930s, and her younger brother, Jamie, flee London for the English countryside when WW2 begins. There, they are reluctantly taken in by a gruff but kind woman named Susan, who is still mourning the loss of her "close friend" and living companion. For the first time, Ada receives medical treatment, is given sufficient food to eat, and is not maliciously punished for her disability like she was by her Mam in London. I like ...more

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Nov 29, 2016 Sheather rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: childrens-books, 2015

This review is for the audiobook edition.

This an absolutely heartbreaking and beautiful story of nine-year-old Ada who has a club foot and has never been allowed out the house by her abusive mother. Ada and her brother are sent away from
their home in London to the country to get away from the war. Jayne Entwistle is most likely a wizard because she narrates this book with amazing emotion; all the characters sound different, almost as if it were a full cast production. An excellent book for fami ...more

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Jan 11, 2016 Nate Balcom rated it it was amazing

A fantastic World War II novel set in England during the war. Ada is a fantastic narrator and main character and the author does an amazing job of pulling you into her terrible terrible life. Shocking. Heart-wrenching. Moving. This books is extremely worthy of the Newbery Honor Award it received in 2016.

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May 27, 2015 Becky rated it really liked it

This book was engaging from the beginning, although I didn't fall in love until the second half. I loved Susan, and wish we found out more about her past, although the bits we get are enough to piece together. I felt Ada's panic and confusion and, finally, her joy. I did find Jamie's character a bit annoying and had to keep reminding myself of his age. I tend to enjoy books set in this time period, and this one didn't disappoint. ...more

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Sep 14, 2015 Donna rated it it was amazing

If there were more stars to give this book, I'd give 'em! I've been hearing the word Newbery linked to this book and rightfully so. A story that is equal parts heartbreaking and hopeful. I could hardly bear to put it down. One that will leave you thinking about it long after you've finished it. ...more

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