The War that Saved My Life: (Newbery Honor Award Winner)
About this product
* Newbery Honor Book
* Forbes 25 Top Historical Fiction Books Of All Time selection
* #1 New York Times Bestseller
* Winner of the Schneider Family Book Award
* Wall Street Journal Best Children's Books of the Year selection
* New York Public Library's 100 Books for Reading and Sharing selection
* A Kirkus Reviews Best Middle Grade Book of the Century
An exceptionally moving story of triumph against all odds set during World War II, from the acclaimed author of Fighting Words, and for fans of Fish in a Tree and Number the Stars.
Ten-year-old Ada 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 for 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?
This masterful work of historical fiction is equal parts adventure and a moving tale of family and identity—a classic in the making.
"Achingly lovely...Nuanced and emotionally acute." — The Wall Street Journal
"Unforgettable...unflinching." —Common Sense Media "Touching...Emotionally charged." — Forbes
★ “Brisk and honest...Cause for celebration.” — Kirkus, starred review
★ "Poignant." — Publishers Weekly, starred review
★ "Powerful." — The Horn Book, starred review
"Affecting." — Booklist "Emotionally satisfying...[A] page-turner." — BCCB “Exquisitely written...Heart-lifting.” — SLJ "Astounding...This book is remarkable." —Karen Cushman, author The Midwife's Apprentice "Beautifully told." —Patricia MacLachlan, author of Sarah, Plain and Tall "I read this novel in two big gulps." —Gary D. Schmidt, author of Okay for Now "I love Ada's bold heart...Her story's riveting." —Sheila Turnage, author of Three Times Lucky Read more
Editor's Take
Amazon reviewers say this book is moving, unforgettable, and beautifully written, with strong historical detail and character development. Some Amazon customers also mention that it is emotionally intense and that a few readers found parts of it less engaging, so reactions are not uniformly positive.
On Common Sense Media, parent reviewers describe it as a compelling WWII story about an abused girl finding courage and family. On DogoBooks, the review page shows many reader reviews for the title, which supports broad interest among younger readers and educators.
On Reddit, one reader recommended it highly for fans of historical fiction with richly developed characters. Book review blogs also commonly praise its emotional depth, Ada’s growth, and the wartime setting.
YouTube search results turned up real videos about this specific book, including The War That Saved My Life | Book Review and Middle Grade Book Review - The War That Saved My Life.
- Strong themes: resilience, abuse recovery, family, and WWII historical fiction
- Common praise: emotional impact, writing quality, character growth, and historical atmosphere
- Common criticism: some readers find the pacing or emotional heaviness challenging
Price History
Specifications
| Illustrated | No |
Product Details
| Publisher | Dial Books |
| Publication date | May 31, 2016 |
| Edition | Reprint |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 352 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 0147510481 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0147510488 |
| Item Weight | 2.31 pounds |
| Reading age | 9+ years, from customers |
| Dimensions | 5.06 x 0.97 x 7.81 inches |
| Book 1 of 2 | The War That Saved My Life |
| Grade level | 4 - 7 |
| Best Sellers Rank | #2,922 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #2 in Children's European Historical Fiction (Books) #3 in Children's Books on Abuse #5 in Children's Books on Disabilities |
| Customer Reviews | 4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars (10,579) |
