Hello everyone, today I’ll be doing a book review of “The War that Saved my Life” by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley.
The War that Saved my Life, follows the moving story of a nine-year-old girl, Ada who has never left her one-room apartment. Her mother is too humiliated by Ada’s twisted foot to let her outside. So when her little brother Jamie is shipped out of London to escape the war, Ada doesn’t waste a minute; she sneaks out to join him.
So begins a new adventure of Ada, and for Susan Smith, the woman who is forced to take the two kids in. As Ada teaches herself to ride a pony, learns to read, and watches for German spies, she begins to trust Susan; and Susan begins to love Ada and Jamie. But in the end, will their bond be enough to hold them together through wartime? Or will Ada and her brother fall back into the cruel hands of their mother?
Rating : 4.9 / 5
The book cover and title first caught my attention. I was intrigued with what war the protagonist is talking about and the cover is simply gorgeous to be ignored too. So I immediately delved into it and after reading, I’m happy to say it met my expectations!
I easily got attached with Ada and Jamie that from the early chapters, I already kept on wishing they’ll immediately find a home and a family to take care of them.
Ada, an enthusiastic, adventurous and creative girl wasn’t stopped by her confined past limited on her former four- corner room, to explore and discover how limitless one’s world could be.
I love how very keen she is to learn new things and prove to everyone that being a PWD doesn’t make you different, let alone, make you less human- like what her mother showed her. It is also inspiring how she kept on going though things have been a lot overwhelming in her new home considering how very different it is from what she’s used to.
Inserting Susan to the picture, she caught my heart through the moving journey she’d had with the children; to heal them from their past traumas and pains. I admired her for taking the two kids in believing that siblings shouldn’t be separated. I also loved how she patiently waited for the children to get comfortable around her and made sure they’d be treated right just like any other kids. And with that, Ada and Jamie have finally found a family, comfort and refuge in her. Ofcourse, there’ve also been the other nice characters who deserve some credits, including Mr. Fred and Lady Margaret / Maggie for their kindness and generosity towards Ada. I love how they didn’t see her physical disability but rather noticed her genuineness and willingness on learning things.
Ada’s character development was my favorite. From her believing all the nasty lies her mother said against her and her disability, to standing up and finally knowing her worth. And that is just powerful!
To sum up everything, this book further opened my eyes on the discrimination against the people with disabilities. Real disability isn’t seen through a physically disabled person, but someone who’s unable to give love and respect to others.
This is really giving me a modern classic Anne-of-Green-Gables vibe, so if you like that, you’re probably gonna enjoy this too!
Have you read this book yet? What do you think of this review? Let’s chat in the comment section.
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