Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, Author
- BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bradley, Kimberly Brubaker. 2015. THE WAR THAT SAVED MY LIFE. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9780803740819.
2. PLOT SUMMARY
The War That Saved My Life is a story of a young girl named Ada who was born with a clubfoot. She escapes her abusive mother during the evacuation of children in London at the beginning of World War II. As she begins her new life living in the countryside with a lady, Susan Smith, she learns to trust, build confidence, and recognize her self-worth as the war continues around them.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This historical novel, The War That Saved Me, explores the themes of courage and self-worth through the eyes of a young girl during World War II. Bradley portrays the emotional effects of abuse while demonstrating how support and compassion can transform the life of a person over time. The history of this time period and the evacuation of children in Britain are integrated throughout the novel through her experiences. The novel balances difficult subject matters such as hope, friendship, and personal growth as Ada learns to heal, persevere, and develop a sense of belonging after experiencing neglect.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Pop! Goes the Reader – “The War That Saved My Life proved that not only was this comparison apropos, but that Bradley’s latest is exceptional enough to be celebrated for its own, unique merits as well.”
5. CONNECTIONS
- Students can research World War II and its British evacuation of children and compare their experiences with Ada’s.
Related books:
– Bradley, Kimberly Brubaker. THE WAR I FINALLY WON
– Schmidt, Gary D. OKAY FOR NOW
The Literary Compass 