Maple Ridge Elementary teacher-librarian Ken Bisset recommends The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley.
I recommend The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley this Remembrance Day. This Newbery Honor book is one of my favourites in our library because it highlights how children were affected by the Second World War. It has positive role models and characters who work to overcome adversity and fear.
The story follows Ada, a ten-year-old girl born with clubfoot, who is treated harshly by her mother because of it. Confined to her apartment and never allowed to go outside, Ada jumps at the chance to escape with her younger brother, Jamie, when children are evacuated from London during wartime. They are taken in by Susan Smith and the three of them begin to trust each other as Ada learns new skills and keeps watch for German spies. Will they survive the challenges of wartime together, or will Ada’s cruel mother intervene?
If you enjoy this book, be sure to check out the sequel, The War I Finally Won, where Ada and Jamie’s story continues.
The War That Saved My Life is available in SD42 libraries and as an audiobook on Sora. The sequel, The War I Finally Won, is also available in SD42 libraries.
- Learn more about Indigenous Veterans Day (Nov. 8) and Remembrance Day (Nov. 11) with the Remembrance Day Virtual Library (click the images to browse).
