Tuesday, June 30, 2015

The War that Saved my Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley*

Although this book takes place during World War II and Hitler is mentioned, the main focus is on Ada and the wars she must fight in her own life so she can experience life.  She was born with a club foot and her mother (Mam) never let her leave the flat.  She spent her life peering out the dirty window onto London's streets.  Most people assume she is mentally slow.
When her mother makes arrangements to send her little brother Jamie to the country side, Ada secretly joins him and the other evacuees.  Living with Susan, a recluse and depressed single woman proves to be challenging at times,  but for the first time the children begin to experience love and care.
A wonderful, dynamic book where all the characters transform and develop before the reader's eyes.
*Highly recommend.
A big warning though-Mam is highly abusive-physically and verbally.  Most of the story occurs while the children are with Susan but the beginning of the story and a few chapters at the end, the children are with Mam.  This book depicts the long term effects of abuse well.
Mam curses a few times though the whole word is not printed ('ell).

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