Parents' Guide to

The War That Saved My Life

By Mary Eisenhart, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

Abused girl finds courage, family in compelling WWII story.

Book Kimberly Brubaker Bradley Historical Fiction 2015
The War That Saved My Life Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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age 9+

Based on 18 parent reviews

Emackes
Emackes Adult
April 24, 2021
age 9+

Some points about previous warnings

I just wanted to say that when the mother is called a slut, it was not about sex, but the historical definition “chiefly British, disparaging : an unclean or slovenly woman : SLATTERN”. Another reviewer talked about subtle lesbianism, but I think that the reader brings that to the story, as it is never said that the character is anything but a best and loved friend. I would have no reservation on either count.
A M.
A M. Adult
June 7, 2018
age 10+

Addictive story.

I read this in 7th grade last year and I think it’s such a great book, I’m pretty bad at choosing books I enjoy to read in my own time. My amazing language arts teacher made our class read this and we’d have to pause at certain pages so we could all be at the same place each week. I never wanted to put the book down though! This book really captures your attention and is super interesting, I love how all the characters are unique and how emotional it’ll make you, I loved this book so much that I got the sequel the next year (for my own enjoyment) and I absolutely love it as much as the first one. Ada is such a great character and you feel proud when she opens up or has little accomplishments. The author also does a great job at setting the scene and mood, as a 14 year old I would definitely recommend this book for other kids my age and younger. The book does have hints that Susan Smith (Adas caretaker) is lesbian and her girlfriend died so she is grieving, I would say that its great to have this in the book because it’s not explicit, it went straight over my head when I read the first book but in the second book I started to put it together. I don’t know why some reviews are saying it’s not good for young readers because of this, I know homophobes exist but we shouldn’t shield children from the LGBT community or alienate the LGBT community. It’s a great book regardless of Susans sexuality. Definitely reccomend - :))
See all 18 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In London just before World War II, Ada doesn't know how old she is, her last name, or much of anything of life outside the room where her mother has kept her in terrible conditions for as long as she can remember. Ada's mother is humiliated at the thought of people knowing she has a disabled daughter (Ada was born with a clubfoot and gets around by crawling), so Ada has no dealings with other people, except to wave from her window. Her younger brother, Jamie, who's about to start school, is more mobile and sometimes steals food for his starving sister. Their mother beats them both regularly and often doesn't give them enough to eat. Suddenly, as World War II and a possible German invasion loom, the kids are evacuated to the countryside, where they're so filthy and lice-infested that nobody wants them. When a reclusive local spinster is forced to take them in, their lives change in unimaginable ways, including having clean clothes and regular meals. Also, there's a pony. As the kids experience love and kindness for the first time in their lives and learn to pitch in with the war effort, Ada can't get away from her biggest terror: that their new happiness will last only until their mother finds it more convenient to take them back to their old life.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (18 ):
Kids say (56 ):

In lesser hands than those of Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, the plot might tumble into cliché, but thanks to Ada's unforgettable character and unflinching voice, you're too busy cheering her on. She comes into her own as she experiences a world she's never imagined. A cynic, even a young one, might note in passing that THE WAR THAT SAVED MY LIFE includes elements we've seen many times before: Lives change when a reclusive curmudgeon takes in waifs; a pony transforms a troubled girl's life; brave Brits rise to the occasion in wartime. But they're artfully woven into the story.

You'll also share the anxiety that gives Ada bigger panic attacks the better her life gets, because it's all going to be snatched away. She explains to her new friend that she doesn't want her guardian, Susan, to help her, because "I don't want to get used to her. She's just someone we have to stay with for a little while. She's not, you know, actually real."

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about World War II. Do you have family members who lived in that time? What were their experiences?

  • Why do you think stories about a young protagonist's life-changing relationship with a horse are so popular? What others have you read or seen as movies? How does Ada's relationship with Butter in particular compare with other stories you know?

  • If something happened in your community so all the kids were being sent away to a safer place, how would you feel? Would you be happy to get to safety, or would you do your best to figure out a way to stay home?

Book Details

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