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4.48 AVERAGE
4.48 AVERAGE
I loved this book. There are a couple issues to discuss with kids, though. There are lots of questions about faith, death, and angels. The main character decides that she believes/hopes all paths lead to heaven. The caregiver is implied to be homosexual and rejected by her family for something she can’t control. It wasn’t explicit, but could be worth discussing with kids who are reading if that is an issue for your family.
One of the best things about The War I Finally Won was that the characters felt like such real, complex, interesting people. Nothing is simple in the world that Kimberly Brubaker Bradley created in The War That Saved My Life, and things continue to be messy and complicated in the sequel.
This novel is another of several young adult and juvenile fiction titles I’ve read and loved lately. I’m especially impressed with the historical fiction novels I’ve read, and can’t help but think what a fascinating career it would be to make child-friendly sense out of thorny historical events. In The War I Finally Won, we pick up where The War That Saved My Life left off. If you haven’t read the first, you’ll want to do that before reading the second.
Ada’s mother is dead, and though she and her brother, James, have been reunited with Susan, they are homeless due to a fire. The war is still raging, and they have no choice but to move into a cottage on the Thorton estate.
There was a character in this novel who came to stay at the cottage at the height of the war. Ruth is a German Jew, and on a purely functional level, she adds so many interesting angles to the story. For instance, so convinced is Lady Thornton that Germans are the enemy that she takes an instant dislike to Ruth, and treats her with increasing hostility. At the same time, when she worries about the fate of her grandmother, back home in Germany, Ada assures her that even the Germans probably aren’t going to harm any elderly people. It’s an interesting glimpse into the realities of people’s ignorance at the time of the war. The perceptions of those experiencing the war firsthand are completely skewed by limited knowledge or misinformation (fake news!). It made me wonder what things I may not be seeing clearly in the present day. I’m sure there are many.
This novel is another of several young adult and juvenile fiction titles I’ve read and loved lately. I’m especially impressed with the historical fiction novels I’ve read, and can’t help but think what a fascinating career it would be to make child-friendly sense out of thorny historical events. In The War I Finally Won, we pick up where The War That Saved My Life left off. If you haven’t read the first, you’ll want to do that before reading the second.
Ada’s mother is dead, and though she and her brother, James, have been reunited with Susan, they are homeless due to a fire. The war is still raging, and they have no choice but to move into a cottage on the Thorton estate.
There was a character in this novel who came to stay at the cottage at the height of the war. Ruth is a German Jew, and on a purely functional level, she adds so many interesting angles to the story. For instance, so convinced is Lady Thornton that Germans are the enemy that she takes an instant dislike to Ruth, and treats her with increasing hostility. At the same time, when she worries about the fate of her grandmother, back home in Germany, Ada assures her that even the Germans probably aren’t going to harm any elderly people. It’s an interesting glimpse into the realities of people’s ignorance at the time of the war. The perceptions of those experiencing the war firsthand are completely skewed by limited knowledge or misinformation (fake news!). It made me wonder what things I may not be seeing clearly in the present day. I’m sure there are many.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Antisemitism
There are some bright moments in this book as Ada begins to feel safe, to risk herself for love, to understand and accept her feelings and fears, and to demonstrate her invincible spirit. I loved the theme of hospitality and acceptance ..... that in their home there was enough room and a welcome for hurting people.
For more reviews visit my blog readingladies.com
For more reviews visit my blog readingladies.com
review to come on my blog, but a great conclusion to Ada's story, and told in an engaging way for audiences of all ages.
This book didn't disappoint after how much I loved The War That Saved My Life. Bradley doesn't shy away from showing depression or depicting Ada's childhood trauma and yet it's light hearted too.
5 stars isn't enough for the sequel to Ada's story. Beautiful from beginning to end!
This book closed out the series really well. I think in middle grade books it can be hard to really show what war is like and this book does a great job of showing the difficulty of war. I loved how Ruth played such a big part in the book and i found it funny how Lady thornton reacted to some things.
*did I re-read with my 9 year old and it was fantastic*
I think I might have enjoyed this sequel to The War That Saved My Life more than the original! Bradley writes with such straightforward and powerful prose, and she perfectly captures the viewpoint of a child.
"Bombs fell from the sky. Boys fell from trees. Anything might happen. Anytime."
Ada will always be an all time favorite book character, with her equally heartbreaking and brave voice. If you are a fan of WWII historical fiction, these two books are must reads, whatever your age.
For more reviews and bookish musings, visit: http://www.bornandreadinchicago.com/
I think I might have enjoyed this sequel to The War That Saved My Life more than the original! Bradley writes with such straightforward and powerful prose, and she perfectly captures the viewpoint of a child.
"Bombs fell from the sky. Boys fell from trees. Anything might happen. Anytime."
Ada will always be an all time favorite book character, with her equally heartbreaking and brave voice. If you are a fan of WWII historical fiction, these two books are must reads, whatever your age.
For more reviews and bookish musings, visit: http://www.bornandreadinchicago.com/
I think I liked this better than the first book. I really like the new characters and the continued development of the existing ones. I don’t know if there’s to be a third, but if there is, I’ll be reading it.