The War That Saved My Life (Newbery Honor Award Winner) — Content Guide for Parents
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Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
* #1 New York Times Bestseller
* Winner of the Schneider Family Book Award
* Forbes 25 Top Historical Fiction Books Of All Time selection
* 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
Frequently asked questions
Is The War That Saved My Life (Newbery Honor Award Winner) appropriate for a 7-year-old?
The story is set during World War II, involving elements of wartime violence such as planes crashing, pilots dying, and civilians perishing in bombings. The descriptions are clear but not graphic, focusing on the impact of war rather than gore. The narrative includes scary elements related to wartime experiences, such as bomb shelters and the destruction caused by war, which can be frightening for the characters involved.
Does The War That Saved My Life (Newbery Honor Award Winner) have violence?
The story is set during World War II, involving elements of wartime violence such as planes crashing, pilots dying, and civilians perishing in bombings. The descriptions are clear but not graphic, focusing on the impact of war rather than gore.
Does The War That Saved My Life (Newbery Honor Award Winner) have scary content?
The narrative includes scary elements related to wartime experiences, such as bomb shelters and the destruction caused by war, which can be frightening for the characters involved.
Does The War That Saved My Life (Newbery Honor Award Winner) have religious themes?
The sequel, 'The War I Finally Won', includes discussions about faith and belief systems, featuring characters who represent different religions, including a Christian and a Jewish character. The narrative explores the complexities of faith from the perspective of the protagonist, Ada.
Does The War That Saved My Life (Newbery Honor Award Winner) have racial/cultural content?
No explicit racism or racial themes detected in search results. The story focuses on personal struggles rather than racial issues.
Does The War That Saved My Life (Newbery Honor Award Winner) have profanity?
The book includes mild profanity, specifically the word 'bloody', which is noted to be more serious in British English than in American.
Does The War That Saved My Life (Newbery Honor Award Winner) have climate change?
No climate themes detected in search results.
Does The War That Saved My Life (Newbery Honor Award Winner) have sexual identity?
No sexual content detected in search results.
Does The War That Saved My Life (Newbery Honor Award Winner) have gender roles?
The narrative features a strong female protagonist, Ada, who challenges traditional gender stereotypes. The story includes themes of empowerment and resilience, particularly in the context of a girl overcoming her physical limitations and societal expectations.
Does The War That Saved My Life (Newbery Honor Award Winner) have lgbtq+ themes?
No LGBTQ+ themes detected in search results.
