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A review by reydeam
The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
5.0
Receiving the 2016 Newbery Honor is nothing to shrug your shoulders at, that is for sure. But I do wonder why this book did not receive the Newbery Medal. The War that Saved my Life is such a good solid book; it kept my 9-year old daughter engaged the entire time while I read it aloud to her. Moreover, I was also engaged.
While a few of the issues within this book are hard to confront, the author did a great job exposing a young reader while not overwhelming. Doors were opened to conversations that are difficult to have but are made easier when put into story format.
By using a character that truly is ignorant to life due to her abusive mother, the story was able to be told via showing rather than telling. This character, Ada, enabled the reader to learn new things alongside her in a believable and seemless way. Through Ada, the reader is learning about tough and heavy themes, such as abuse, disability, and the changes that take place during a time of war. Historical facts are detailed yet accessible and entwined with the lives of Ada, Jamie and Susan; the book never feels like a history lesson. The vocabulary is enriched, understanding of history is deepened, compassion is felt, and love is seen.
There was a lot packed into this book for discussion, and a lot of discussion took place at our bookclub meeting for kids. The discussion ranged from Ada's club foot, an abusive mother, child evacuees during the war, human compassion, self-esteem, women's role during World War II England, horse care, and much more. There were four girls, age 9-11, who attended the meeting; two girls gave the book 4/5 stars, and the other two gave 5/5 stars. This was definitely a thumbs up book.
Bottom line: This was a well crafted story that was immensely enjoyable to read aloud to my nine-year old daughter. It was an engagable story that dealt with tough themes of abandonment, abuse, neglect, disability, loneliness, and war. The story opened doors for good discussion with my 9 year old daughter; she liked the story a whole lot and looked forward to each reading. My rating: 5/5 stars.
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My book thoughts were also posted on my blog, Polishing Mud Balls.
https://polishingmudballs.wordpress.com/2016/06/07/book-thoughts-the-war-that-saved-my-life-by-kimberly-brubaker-bradley/
While a few of the issues within this book are hard to confront, the author did a great job exposing a young reader while not overwhelming. Doors were opened to conversations that are difficult to have but are made easier when put into story format.
By using a character that truly is ignorant to life due to her abusive mother, the story was able to be told via showing rather than telling. This character, Ada, enabled the reader to learn new things alongside her in a believable and seemless way. Through Ada, the reader is learning about tough and heavy themes, such as abuse, disability, and the changes that take place during a time of war. Historical facts are detailed yet accessible and entwined with the lives of Ada, Jamie and Susan; the book never feels like a history lesson. The vocabulary is enriched, understanding of history is deepened, compassion is felt, and love is seen.
There was a lot packed into this book for discussion, and a lot of discussion took place at our bookclub meeting for kids. The discussion ranged from Ada's club foot, an abusive mother, child evacuees during the war, human compassion, self-esteem, women's role during World War II England, horse care, and much more. There were four girls, age 9-11, who attended the meeting; two girls gave the book 4/5 stars, and the other two gave 5/5 stars. This was definitely a thumbs up book.
Bottom line: This was a well crafted story that was immensely enjoyable to read aloud to my nine-year old daughter. It was an engagable story that dealt with tough themes of abandonment, abuse, neglect, disability, loneliness, and war. The story opened doors for good discussion with my 9 year old daughter; she liked the story a whole lot and looked forward to each reading. My rating: 5/5 stars.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
My book thoughts were also posted on my blog, Polishing Mud Balls.
https://polishingmudballs.wordpress.com/2016/06/07/book-thoughts-the-war-that-saved-my-life-by-kimberly-brubaker-bradley/