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jaynecm's review against another edition
5.0
A beautiful story of a beautiful girl finding her place and a family to love and be loved by. Told in first person, Ada's voice is heart breaking and movingly portrayed as we see her slowly move towards acceptance of herself. The abuse she has suffered from the person who should love her most is horrendous and so difficult to read. Yet Ada shines through. The author has created a true heroine in Ada.
jenmangler's review against another edition
4.0
For some reason I really resisted reading this book. I'm not sure why, especially after finishing and loving it. I loved Ada, Jamie, Susan, and their friends and neighbors. There is a special place in my heart for the relationship between Ada and Susan, in particular. I enjoyed every moment I spent with them.
Re-read April 2023 for Rabid Readers: This is such a great story and I enjoyed it just as much this time around.
Re-read April 2023 for Rabid Readers: This is such a great story and I enjoyed it just as much this time around.
maryhannawilson's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Ada is ten years old but has never left her tiny apartment because her mother is ashamed of her twisted foot. She spends her life indoors while her little brother roams the town freely. When the opportunity comes for Ada and her brother to sneak away and escape the bombing with the other children, they take it.
Now Ada and her brother are placed with a single woman, Susan, who didn't want to take in any evacuees but was forced to take them. Susan opens her home, and slowly opens her heart, to Ada and her brother. Under Susan's care, Ada learns to read, ride a pony, and write. Their new life begins to develop but Ada lives under the fear of being taken back to her mother. Will the new trio last or will Ada's mom return for them?
This book has been on my list for a long time so it was nice to accomplish that goal! And I wasn't disappointed. My two sons assured me that this was a great story and they were correct. I was hooked as soon as we met Ada in the first few chapters. Right away, I was rooting for such a mistreated character.
The character development in this book was well done. Not only did the kids change, but the adult taking care of them had her own journey of discovery. I appreciated how they were all helping each other grow and open up to something new.
I loved the ending - a nice surprise and I love a happy twist. I won't say much more about it.
This is a unique WW2 historical fiction book. I loved it and highly recommend it.
Now Ada and her brother are placed with a single woman, Susan, who didn't want to take in any evacuees but was forced to take them. Susan opens her home, and slowly opens her heart, to Ada and her brother. Under Susan's care, Ada learns to read, ride a pony, and write. Their new life begins to develop but Ada lives under the fear of being taken back to her mother. Will the new trio last or will Ada's mom return for them?
This book has been on my list for a long time so it was nice to accomplish that goal! And I wasn't disappointed. My two sons assured me that this was a great story and they were correct. I was hooked as soon as we met Ada in the first few chapters. Right away, I was rooting for such a mistreated character.
The character development in this book was well done. Not only did the kids change, but the adult taking care of them had her own journey of discovery. I appreciated how they were all helping each other grow and open up to something new.
I loved the ending - a nice surprise and I love a happy twist. I won't say much more about it.
This is a unique WW2 historical fiction book. I loved it and highly recommend it.
msdeeburgos's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
gruyere3's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
shannon_mcdrapcho's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
bhnmt61's review against another edition
4.0
Sweet story about a young girl named Ada who has a clubfoot. She and her younger brother live in London with their cruel and abusive mom. When children are evacuated from London during WWII, it's the best thing that could have happened to her. By about a quarter of the way through, you pretty much know exactly what's going to happen, but it's still a great story, well-told. Deducted a star because there are several things, especially toward the end, that are just a little too convenient.
jeremyawilliams's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
amb3333's review against another edition
4.0
Absolutely beautiful story of love, hope and perseverance told from the eyes of a child during Witld War II.