Reviews with content warning for Panic attacks/disorders - The War That Saved My Life

Young Ada doesn’t know her birthday. She can’t walk. She’s never left her filthy one-room apartment in London because her cruel mother can’t bear Ada’s horribly mangled clubfoot. Ada’s little brother, Jamie, runs wild and free through the London streets, and when WWII looms and Jamie is to be shipped to the English countryside for safety, Ada escapes with him. But when they arrive in the country, they are thrust upon Ms. Susan Smith, a depressed recluse forced to take the children in when they are left for last. As Ada, Jamie, and Susan adapt to their new environment in a time of war, they are all forced to confront their traumatic past, hope for the future, and learn to love in the process.

The War that Saved My Life won the 2016 Newbury Honor and the Schneider Family Book Award for “artistic expression of the disabled experience for child and adolescent audiences.” This book may be labeled as Middle Grade fiction, but it is anything but! The characters are authentically honest and flawed, Ada’s emotion is raw and beautifully depicted as she confronts the horrors that she once experienced at the hands of her spiteful mother, and Ms. Smith evolves into a woman of purpose and love. A powerful depth pervades the story as Ada and Jamie reconcile who they were in London with who they are becoming under the care of Ms. Smith, and who Ms. Smith is becoming because of Ada and Jamie. A pure and enormously rewarding read, never juvenile, and full of hope and healing, The War that Saved My Life is an instant classic.

Content Warnings

teacupsandfirereads's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I honestly don't know how to put my thoughts into coherent words. I absolutely loved this book. Period. End of story. I only found this book late last year when I was looking for books to read for a challenge I was hosting. When I saw this one, I immediately knew I had to read it, but I also had to own it, so I went out and bought it and the sequel. Good think too, because the sequel is now top of my TBR list.

Now to the story. First of all, I felt every emotion imaginable throughout the story. Sadness, anger, happiness, laughter. Lots and lots of tears, both good and bad. Ada is such an amazing character. She is determined and strong ad never gives up. I honestly saw a little bit of myself in her growing up in an ablest society. By no means was my path as traumatic or devastating, which shows society has come a long way in regards to diverse abilities, but there are still obstacles we must face. I definitely felt the need to protect Ada and was behind her for every heartbreak and triumph. The innocence of how Ada approached the situations was both heartwarming and heartbreaking. The writing was simple, yet held so much depth and understanding. All the characters had their place, and although some angered me, the mum, for instance, I knew she needed to be like that to really tell the story.

Really, I truly cannot say enough good things about this story. It was sweet, emotional, and necessary.

Parents, please have your children read this book. Parents, read it yourself. This is a middle grade book, but I think it is a book for everyone, no matter what age. Reading this book will be giving yourself a gift you didn't know you needed.

Content Warnings

lizgo's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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