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The War That Saved My Life #2
The War I Finally Won
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Middle Grade & Children's (2017)Ada and her younger brother, Jamie, now have a permanent home with their loving legal guardian, Susan Smith. Although Jamie adapts more easily, Ada still struggles with the aftermath of her old life, and how to fit into her new life.
World War II continues, and forces the small community to come together and rely on one another. Ada has never been interested in getting to know her friend’s family—especially Maggie’s mother, the formidable Lady Thorton. However, circumstances bring them in close proximity along with other unexpected characters.
Ada comes face to face with another German! This time she isn’t sure what she should do. How can she help the ones she loves and keep them safe?
Ada’s first story, The War that Saved My Life, won a Newbery Honor, the Schneider Family Book Award, and the Josette Frank Award, in addition to appearing on multiple best-of-the-year lists. This second, marvelous volume continues Ada’s powerful, uplifting story.
World War II continues, and forces the small community to come together and rely on one another. Ada has never been interested in getting to know her friend’s family—especially Maggie’s mother, the formidable Lady Thorton. However, circumstances bring them in close proximity along with other unexpected characters.
Ada comes face to face with another German! This time she isn’t sure what she should do. How can she help the ones she loves and keep them safe?
Ada’s first story, The War that Saved My Life, won a Newbery Honor, the Schneider Family Book Award, and the Josette Frank Award, in addition to appearing on multiple best-of-the-year lists. This second, marvelous volume continues Ada’s powerful, uplifting story.
387 pages, Hardcover
First published October 3, 2017
2178 people are currently reading
20676 people want to read
About the author
Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
25 books2,785 followersKimberly Brubaker Bradley's next book, The Night War, will be published April 9, 2024. She is the author of nineteen previous books, including the Newbery Honor winners Fighting Words and The War that Saved My Life. The sequel to the latter, The War I Finally Won, appeared on many state-award and best-books lists and was described as “stunning” by The Washington Post and “honest” and “daring” by The New York Times. She is also the acclaimed author of She Persisted: Rosalind Franklin. Kimberly and her husband have two grown children and live with their dogs, two highly opinionated mares, and a surplus of cats on a fifty-two-acre farm in Bristol, Tennessee. Visit her at kimberlybrubakerbradley.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,922 reviews
July 13, 2017
I *loved* The War That Saved My Life and friends, this is a worthy sequel. I am in awe of Kimberly Bradley's ability to create characters that are so real, feeling emotions that are so raw that the reader can't help but feel them, too. The growth and development of these characters through the story is masterful. I just loved it. I wished it was longer, which was a thing I NEVER wish because finishing a book and marking it as "read" is one of my great pleasures. But I would spend all the time in the world with Ada.
Read the first one first. You need to. (And it is also awesome, so why would you skip it?) But then scoop this one up in October when it publishes. If you love character-driven historical fiction, you will not want to miss this!
Read the first one first. You need to. (And it is also awesome, so why would you skip it?) But then scoop this one up in October when it publishes. If you love character-driven historical fiction, you will not want to miss this!
June 30, 2017
Trying to put this review into words is so difficult. The story, the characters, the history...it was all done SO well. Kimberly allows us to see Ada to her core. She begins to help us understand the impact of neglect and abuse, the gravity of war, and depth of beginning to understand a concept that is too deep to put into a simple conversation with children. I cannot highly recommend this book enough. I cannot wait for Ss to have this book in their hands come October.
March 14, 2020
The War I Finally Won (The War That Saved My Life, #2)
A very cool kids' book. :P
Q:
You can know things all you like, but that doesn’t mean you believe them. (c)
Q:
Mam hadn’t been much for words, and there was a limit to how much I could teach myself, looking out the one window of our flat. (c)
Q:
The Swiss Family Robinson got shipwrecked onto a beautiful island where everything turned out splendid for them. Jamie loved the story. I had always disliked it. I hated it now.
Jamie and I were shipwrecked, but we hadn’t been rescued after all. We hadn’t reached an island. We were still struggling not to drown in the storm-tossed sea. (c)
Q:
When things were very bad I could go away in my head, to a place where no one could touch me. I went away to Butter’s pasture, to galloping through the green fields on Butter— (c)
Q:
I tried to speak but no words came. I choked and then I was sobbing, and Susan rocked me back and forth, back and forth as if I was a little baby, as if she loved me, as if she always had. (c)
Q:
A place to go and think about her. To think about the good memories.”
I would have to think hard to find any good memories. (c)
Q:
“Keep going,” Susan said. “The only way out of this is straight through." (с)
Q:
“I needed a doll a long time ago,” I said. “It’s too late for me to have one now.” (c)
Q:
I’d survived Christmas. That was gift enough. (c)
Q:
On one side hills rose covered in brown winter grass. On the other, the ocean spread flat and clean. I took a deep breath, and filled my lungs with the scent of the ocean. I felt the wind on my face. The sky seemed safe. (c)
Q:
If I started letting myself feel afraid I would never be able to stop. (c)
Q:
What’s right and what’s permitted are sometimes different things. (c)
Q:
I’d become the person I’d longed to be. (c)
Q:
I stored this information in my head in the bulging file titled “Things I Wished I Didn’t Know.” It included what it felt like to walk on a clubfoot for ten years, and what it sounded like to have your mother say she never wanted to see you again. (c)
Q:
“If only the blackout didn’t have to be black.”
“It doesn’t,” I said, in sudden realization. “Not on the inside.” (c)
Q:
He couldn’t say, but that didn’t mean we couldn’t try to ferret it out of him. (c)
A very cool kids' book. :P
Q:
You can know things all you like, but that doesn’t mean you believe them. (c)
Q:
Mam hadn’t been much for words, and there was a limit to how much I could teach myself, looking out the one window of our flat. (c)
Q:
The Swiss Family Robinson got shipwrecked onto a beautiful island where everything turned out splendid for them. Jamie loved the story. I had always disliked it. I hated it now.
Jamie and I were shipwrecked, but we hadn’t been rescued after all. We hadn’t reached an island. We were still struggling not to drown in the storm-tossed sea. (c)
Q:
When things were very bad I could go away in my head, to a place where no one could touch me. I went away to Butter’s pasture, to galloping through the green fields on Butter— (c)
Q:
I tried to speak but no words came. I choked and then I was sobbing, and Susan rocked me back and forth, back and forth as if I was a little baby, as if she loved me, as if she always had. (c)
Q:
A place to go and think about her. To think about the good memories.”
I would have to think hard to find any good memories. (c)
Q:
“Keep going,” Susan said. “The only way out of this is straight through." (с)
Q:
“I needed a doll a long time ago,” I said. “It’s too late for me to have one now.” (c)
Q:
I’d survived Christmas. That was gift enough. (c)
Q:
On one side hills rose covered in brown winter grass. On the other, the ocean spread flat and clean. I took a deep breath, and filled my lungs with the scent of the ocean. I felt the wind on my face. The sky seemed safe. (c)
Q:
If I started letting myself feel afraid I would never be able to stop. (c)
Q:
What’s right and what’s permitted are sometimes different things. (c)
Q:
I’d become the person I’d longed to be. (c)
Q:
I stored this information in my head in the bulging file titled “Things I Wished I Didn’t Know.” It included what it felt like to walk on a clubfoot for ten years, and what it sounded like to have your mother say she never wanted to see you again. (c)
Q:
“If only the blackout didn’t have to be black.”
“It doesn’t,” I said, in sudden realization. “Not on the inside.” (c)
Q:
He couldn’t say, but that didn’t mean we couldn’t try to ferret it out of him. (c)
November 25, 2020
Audiobook.... narrated by Jayne Enteistle
“The War I Finally Won”, was equally as wonderful
“The War that Saved My Life”.
This 2nd book takes off where the first book ended.
The characters are SOOOO endearing—we just want to spend time with them.
There are new challenges that will keep readers addictively involved.
Compelling dialogue about God, faith, options of what to believe, was insightful- wise-and thought-provoking between the adults: Susan, (a Christian), and Ruth, (a Jew), with Ada. (trying to understand the difference and options about choice-of-faith-beliefs)
Ada:
“If I believed in one God, and Ruth believed in another God, then which one is the wrong God, Ada asked”.
Religion was complicated to Ada ( as can be to many of us).
Throughout the storytelling between several issues and events to examine and resolve - we observe Ada’s growth and greater understanding of how the world works through the power of learning new words; the power of language.
Examples:
....’Prudent’: acting with or showing care and thought for the future.
....’Fallacy’: a mistaken
belief, especially one based on unsound argument.
....’Mercy’: compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm.
....’To Have Mercy’: to treat with kindness and forgiveness.
Words have power. Their meaning crystallizes perceptions that shape our beliefs, drive out behaviors, and ultimately, create our world. Their power arises from emotional responses when we read, speak, or hear them.
While reading this book what stood out for me was not just that Ada was learning new words…
But the powerful parenting inspiration by Miss Smith - (Susan) - The legal guardian of Ada and Jamie.
The powerful-functional-wise parenting was very moving.
Parents of young children could benefit from listening or reading this book.
Parents who are essentially done with day-to-day parental responsibilities, might digest the wisdom that they didn’t fully understood when they were a young new parent.
Do you like liver?
Ada didn’t. She thought it tasted muddy.
Ha, right on the mark, Ada! 😜
Something to think about:
“a person does not need to feel safe, to actually be safe”.
Terrific coming-of-age story
Highly recommended reading both books together.
Another 5 easy stars for author Kimberly Brubaker Bradly
“The War I Finally Won”, was equally as wonderful
“The War that Saved My Life”.
This 2nd book takes off where the first book ended.
The characters are SOOOO endearing—we just want to spend time with them.
There are new challenges that will keep readers addictively involved.
Compelling dialogue about God, faith, options of what to believe, was insightful- wise-and thought-provoking between the adults: Susan, (a Christian), and Ruth, (a Jew), with Ada. (trying to understand the difference and options about choice-of-faith-beliefs)
Ada:
“If I believed in one God, and Ruth believed in another God, then which one is the wrong God, Ada asked”.
Religion was complicated to Ada ( as can be to many of us).
Throughout the storytelling between several issues and events to examine and resolve - we observe Ada’s growth and greater understanding of how the world works through the power of learning new words; the power of language.
Examples:
....’Prudent’: acting with or showing care and thought for the future.
....’Fallacy’: a mistaken
belief, especially one based on unsound argument.
....’Mercy’: compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm.
....’To Have Mercy’: to treat with kindness and forgiveness.
Words have power. Their meaning crystallizes perceptions that shape our beliefs, drive out behaviors, and ultimately, create our world. Their power arises from emotional responses when we read, speak, or hear them.
While reading this book what stood out for me was not just that Ada was learning new words…
But the powerful parenting inspiration by Miss Smith - (Susan) - The legal guardian of Ada and Jamie.
The powerful-functional-wise parenting was very moving.
Parents of young children could benefit from listening or reading this book.
Parents who are essentially done with day-to-day parental responsibilities, might digest the wisdom that they didn’t fully understood when they were a young new parent.
Do you like liver?
Ada didn’t. She thought it tasted muddy.
Ha, right on the mark, Ada! 😜
Something to think about:
“a person does not need to feel safe, to actually be safe”.
Terrific coming-of-age story
Highly recommended reading both books together.
Another 5 easy stars for author Kimberly Brubaker Bradly
May 3, 2021
This stories continues just where The War That Saved My Life finished. Having loved the first book so much I was surprised that the sequel was equally as wonderful. We were so excited to have the chance to read more about these lovely characters.
This story continues with the characters lives during WWII, the book spans a couple of years, we learn more about characters from the last book and a new character, Ruth joins the family. Susan continues to be a wonderful mother and helps Ada with love and understanding to work through her problems. We see more heartache from the war and although parts are very hard to read aloud, despite the sadness and loss the book is uplifting and positive.
Read again and finished 29th April 2021. This book makes such a good read aloud and was just as enjoyable if not more so, on the second reading.
There are some wonderful animal characters in this story and those who love horses will find so much enjoy in this book. We enjoyed the details of WWII life, the food rationing, the meals they ate, the war work the villagers did. It was enjoyable to read about a time when people of all classes came together for once and had more shared experiences.
We loved this story from the first page, it is a real page turner and there was no part of the book that was dull or uninteresting. We haven't found any other recently written books that we have enjoyed anywhere near a much as these two! Perhaps it was because we have a US copy but we were slightly suprised how many American words where used that wouldn't have been used by an English speaker- candy, gasoline, fall, pants, quit, gotten... to name a few I remember, but a small point that didn't in anyway spoil the enjoyment of a really wonderful story. Highly recommended for any age.
This story continues with the characters lives during WWII, the book spans a couple of years, we learn more about characters from the last book and a new character, Ruth joins the family. Susan continues to be a wonderful mother and helps Ada with love and understanding to work through her problems. We see more heartache from the war and although parts are very hard to read aloud, despite the sadness and loss the book is uplifting and positive.
Read again and finished 29th April 2021. This book makes such a good read aloud and was just as enjoyable if not more so, on the second reading.
There are some wonderful animal characters in this story and those who love horses will find so much enjoy in this book. We enjoyed the details of WWII life, the food rationing, the meals they ate, the war work the villagers did. It was enjoyable to read about a time when people of all classes came together for once and had more shared experiences.
We loved this story from the first page, it is a real page turner and there was no part of the book that was dull or uninteresting. We haven't found any other recently written books that we have enjoyed anywhere near a much as these two! Perhaps it was because we have a US copy but we were slightly suprised how many American words where used that wouldn't have been used by an English speaker- candy, gasoline, fall, pants, quit, gotten... to name a few I remember, but a small point that didn't in anyway spoil the enjoyment of a really wonderful story. Highly recommended for any age.
November 8, 2022
This sequel to "The War That Saved My Life" was expertly written and an evocative continuation of Ada's story. Her clubfoot is fixed and her body can do things she has never done before, but her emotional growth is still stunted from her time in the city and Mam locking her in the cabinet and keeping her hidden.
Readers who loved the first one will find as much or more to love about he second book in the series. Adults and teenagers will also find "Between Shades of Gray" by Ruta Sepetys to be an enjoyable read and another opportunity to experience WW II through the eyes of a young girl.
One of my favorite aspects of these books is the way Kimberly Brubaker Bradley writes such an authentic inner voice for Ada. We can empathize with Ada as she struggles to understand so many things that have not been taught to her. Time after time she makes assumptions and acts on them without asking for an explanation that would calm her fears. It is a joy to watch Ada grow and mature both emotionally, mentally and physically in these books. Highly recommended!
Readers who loved the first one will find as much or more to love about he second book in the series. Adults and teenagers will also find "Between Shades of Gray" by Ruta Sepetys to be an enjoyable read and another opportunity to experience WW II through the eyes of a young girl.
One of my favorite aspects of these books is the way Kimberly Brubaker Bradley writes such an authentic inner voice for Ada. We can empathize with Ada as she struggles to understand so many things that have not been taught to her. Time after time she makes assumptions and acts on them without asking for an explanation that would calm her fears. It is a joy to watch Ada grow and mature both emotionally, mentally and physically in these books. Highly recommended!
February 8, 2018
Bawled my way through this one as well. Happy and sad, and adds a new dimension (or two) to Ada's war. (Both her personal war, and the actual war with Germany.)
So interesting to see what it was like for children, on the ground in England. So much is written (or at least, most of what I've read) is either about children in America, or in Germany. So interesting to see how far along the war was for England before the US joined, and their attitude toward Hitler and the Germans.
And of course, the story of the new-hatched almost-family of Ada, Jamie, and Susan . . . *sobs uncontrollably*
It's just so good!
So interesting to see what it was like for children, on the ground in England. So much is written (or at least, most of what I've read) is either about children in America, or in Germany. So interesting to see how far along the war was for England before the US joined, and their attitude toward Hitler and the Germans.
And of course, the story of the new-hatched almost-family of Ada, Jamie, and Susan . . . *sobs uncontrollably*
It's just so good!
January 9, 2022
.
چشمهایم از شدت باد پر اشک شده بود. پرچین تار شده بود. نفسم توی گلویم گیر کرده بود و کوبش پاهایش توی استخوانهایم میپیچید.
پرواز میکردیم.
پرواز میکردیم، پرواز واقعی.
باتر هرگز نمیتوانست آنقدر تند بدود.
یکدفعه ترسم ریخت. اوبان پرواز میکرد و من هم همراهش پرواز میکردم. پرواز. داشتم پرواز میکردم! بهترین، شادترین حس دنیا بود.
🐴
جنگی که بلاخره نجاتم داد، کتابیه که سالها در لیست خریدم بود و بعد از مدتها خوندمش؛ از خوندنش لذت بردم و به لیست کتابهای مورد علاقم در حوزهی کودک و نوجوان اضافه شد.
🐴
نویسنده تونسته بود به خوبی به عناصر داستان تو این داستان بپردازه. مانند شخصیتهای داستان، فضاسازی، سیر و روند اتفاقات ...
🐴
شخصیت مهربان سوزان، عشق فوقالعاده عمیقش به کودکان و قدرت فهم و درکش؛ شخصیت آدا، رنج بیسرپرستیش و احساس مسئولیتش، نگرانیش از آینده، حسرت عروسکبازیش و ورود ناگهانیش به دنیای بزرگسالان، سردرگمیش و تحمل اینکه هر لحظه یکی از آشنایان و عزیزانش رو از دست بده، عزاداری کردن رو یاد بگیره و ... از مواردی هستند که باعث میشه این دو شخصیت تو ذهنم ماندگار بشن.
🐴
کتاب در آموزش و رساندن پیامهایی از جمله عشق به حیوانات و معنا و اهمیت خانواده، اعتقاد و ایمان، دوستی و اعتماد و زندگی بعد از جنگ و خیلی مسائل دیگه
به خوبی عمل کرده بود.
چشمهایم از شدت باد پر اشک شده بود. پرچین تار شده بود. نفسم توی گلویم گیر کرده بود و کوبش پاهایش توی استخوانهایم میپیچید.
پرواز میکردیم.
پرواز میکردیم، پرواز واقعی.
باتر هرگز نمیتوانست آنقدر تند بدود.
یکدفعه ترسم ریخت. اوبان پرواز میکرد و من هم همراهش پرواز میکردم. پرواز. داشتم پرواز میکردم! بهترین، شادترین حس دنیا بود.
🐴
جنگی که بلاخره نجاتم داد، کتابیه که سالها در لیست خریدم بود و بعد از مدتها خوندمش؛ از خوندنش لذت بردم و به لیست کتابهای مورد علاقم در حوزهی کودک و نوجوان اضافه شد.
🐴
نویسنده تونسته بود به خوبی به عناصر داستان تو این داستان بپردازه. مانند شخصیتهای داستان، فضاسازی، سیر و روند اتفاقات ...
🐴
شخصیت مهربان سوزان، عشق فوقالعاده عمیقش به کودکان و قدرت فهم و درکش؛ شخصیت آدا، رنج بیسرپرستیش و احساس مسئولیتش، نگرانیش از آینده، حسرت عروسکبازیش و ورود ناگهانیش به دنیای بزرگسالان، سردرگمیش و تحمل اینکه هر لحظه یکی از آشنایان و عزیزانش رو از دست بده، عزاداری کردن رو یاد بگیره و ... از مواردی هستند که باعث میشه این دو شخصیت تو ذهنم ماندگار بشن.
🐴
کتاب در آموزش و رساندن پیامهایی از جمله عشق به حیوانات و معنا و اهمیت خانواده، اعتقاد و ایمان، دوستی و اعتماد و زندگی بعد از جنگ و خیلی مسائل دیگه
به خوبی عمل کرده بود.
March 26, 2020
A wonderful addition to my favorite Middle Grade book ever -- The War That Saved My Life.
You get to continue on with Ada and Jamie in this sequel. They finally have a permanent home with the amazing Susan. Great characters, an amazing story, and a fantastic audio book narrator (Jayne Entwistle).
You get to continue on with Ada and Jamie in this sequel. They finally have a permanent home with the amazing Susan. Great characters, an amazing story, and a fantastic audio book narrator (Jayne Entwistle).
March 25, 2018
Resenha no canal: https://youtu.be/RWJABtug0yM :D
Amei!
Chorei!
Feliz por saber o que aconteceu com Ada depois do primeiro volume.
Amei!
Chorei!
Feliz por saber o que aconteceu com Ada depois do primeiro volume.
February 3, 2019
This sequel starts right up where book 1 left off; the 2 books make up 1 story. I think it keeps getting better and better. I do think it’s important to read book 1 before reading book 2.
I stayed up very late to finish reading. All the way through it was a hard book to put down. It’s a page-turner.
I’m considering adding it to my favorites shelf. It’s definitely a solid 5 star book for me. How often is a sequel even better than the first book?! Here it is, and I also gave the first book 5 stars.
It’s a masterfully and beautifully told story.
It has an incredibly appealing voice in the main character narrator Ada and a writing style that I love.
All the characters are brought vividly to life. The plot and its pacing is perfection.
I loved the newly introduced character Ruth and enjoyed the increased depth to many other characters, particularly the adults.
I continue to love Susan, a nearly perfect natural therapist and mother and appreciate how she’s shown as flawed and not actually perfect. I loved how one thing about her past was resolved.
Ada is a great character to root for and I did. This account shows a healing from trauma that is realistically shown, optimistic but not at all unrealistic.
The single page author’s note at the back talks about two aspects of WWII that were a bit cryptically woven into the story and was a welcome addition. It’s a must read additional page.
This book is intense but always stays appropriate for middle grade readers (and young adult readers) despite the sometimes heavy subject matter, including WWII and its causalities and the realities of civilian life during the war, the Holocaust, child abuse and neglect, traumatic loss, adult sexual and romantic relationships (far off the page), and other such things. It might not sound like a children’s book but it is, though unlike the first one I think it is also a young adult book, although it’s one that I think can be enjoyed by all ages. Both books are all ages appropriate and I think will appeal to some adults who don’t normally read books for younger readers.
Highly recommended for readers who enjoy any of the following: coming of age stories, stories about WWII especially as it impacted England and the Jews, horse lovers, cat lovers, family stories including atypical family stories, orphan stories, and stories where both child an adult characters grow and change in a realistic way.
I loved so many parts in this book. I found so many things meaningful. One fun and creative thing I thoroughly enjoyed (bottom half of page 294/second page in chapter 47 in the U.S. hardcover edition) was
I’ve added some other books by this author to my to read shelf and hope to get to them. I’m a fan.
I stayed up very late to finish reading. All the way through it was a hard book to put down. It’s a page-turner.
I’m considering adding it to my favorites shelf. It’s definitely a solid 5 star book for me. How often is a sequel even better than the first book?! Here it is, and I also gave the first book 5 stars.
It’s a masterfully and beautifully told story.
It has an incredibly appealing voice in the main character narrator Ada and a writing style that I love.
All the characters are brought vividly to life. The plot and its pacing is perfection.
I loved the newly introduced character Ruth and enjoyed the increased depth to many other characters, particularly the adults.
I continue to love Susan, a nearly perfect natural therapist and mother and appreciate how she’s shown as flawed and not actually perfect. I loved how one thing about her past was resolved.
Ada is a great character to root for and I did. This account shows a healing from trauma that is realistically shown, optimistic but not at all unrealistic.
The single page author’s note at the back talks about two aspects of WWII that were a bit cryptically woven into the story and was a welcome addition. It’s a must read additional page.
This book is intense but always stays appropriate for middle grade readers (and young adult readers) despite the sometimes heavy subject matter, including WWII and its causalities and the realities of civilian life during the war, the Holocaust, child abuse and neglect, traumatic loss, adult sexual and romantic relationships (far off the page), and other such things. It might not sound like a children’s book but it is, though unlike the first one I think it is also a young adult book, although it’s one that I think can be enjoyed by all ages. Both books are all ages appropriate and I think will appeal to some adults who don’t normally read books for younger readers.
Highly recommended for readers who enjoy any of the following: coming of age stories, stories about WWII especially as it impacted England and the Jews, horse lovers, cat lovers, family stories including atypical family stories, orphan stories, and stories where both child an adult characters grow and change in a realistic way.
I loved so many parts in this book. I found so many things meaningful. One fun and creative thing I thoroughly enjoyed (bottom half of page 294/second page in chapter 47 in the U.S. hardcover edition) was
I’ve added some other books by this author to my to read shelf and hope to get to them. I’m a fan.
June 5, 2017
THE WAR THAT SAVED MY LIFE is a hard act to follow but I think I have liked this follow-up even more! The bonds of family and friendship are tested and strengthened again as the war continues to wreak havoc on Ada's life. Bradley does not shy away from writing about Ada's anger and confusion and her supporting cast is fully realized and allowed story arcs of their own. I was particularly touched by the portrayal of Lady Thornton, forced to live in close quarters with Ada and her new family, who has moments of utter ignorance and borderline cruelty yet grew into one of my favourite characters at the end. There is a touch of Frances Hodgson Burnett about this duology- not to be missed!
November 3, 2018
I read this book in my own language because my knowledge in English isn't yet good. I think that the first book is excellent, but the second one is just good. The problem with the second book is that the end was a little fast and unsatisfactory for me.
May 30, 2023
جلد دوم کتاب جنگی که نجاتم داد، از اولی هم بهتر بود. به اولی پنج ستاره دادم به این چند بدم؟
داستان ادامهی جلد اول، با تغییراتی توی زندگی شخصیتها، جذاب پیش رفت. رشد آدمهای داستان واقعا الهامبخش و جالب بود.
نقطهی قوت این کتاب برای من شخصیتپردازی عمیق و چندلایهی آدمهای قصه، در عین سادگی بود. میتونستم تمام شخصیتها رو تصور کنم و بفهمم، حتی شخصیتهای فرعی و این یک امتیاز مهمه از دید من. سوزان رو خیلی خیلی دوست داشتم و ازش یاد گرفتم.
روند داستان، افتوخیزها و پایانبندی، همه چیز فوقالعاده بود. این مجموعهی دو جلدی از اون کتابهاییه که هدیه خواهم داد.
+ ترجمه مرضیه ورشوساز عالی بود.
--------------------
یادگاری از کتاب:
- چقدر درد میکنه؟
+ نمیدونم. همیشه درد میکنه.
- خارج از تحمل؟
سرم را تکان دادم. من قدرت تحمل هر چیزی را داشتم.
...
- متأسفم.
+ واقعا متأسفی؟
خودم متأسف بودم؟
...
تنها راه بیرون رفتن از این شرایط اینه که مستقیم راهت رو ادامه بدی.
...
گفت حسابی خسته شدی.
راست میگفت. متوجه نشده بودم، ولی یکدفعه دیدم آنقدر خستهام که حتی نمیتوانم بایستم.
...
میتونم یه دختر معمولی باشم؟ همین رو میخوام دیگه.
...
من آدم بزرگهم؛ تا تو بتونی بچگی کنی.
...
دست گذاشت روی شانهام، آرام، مثل وقتهایی که میخواست من را از توی افکار دورم برگرداند.
...
سعی نکرد قانعم کند فکرم اشتباه است.
...
لبخند نزد، ولی حس کردم به لبخند فکر میکند. من هم در جوابش به لبخندی فکر کردم.
...
رحم یعنی توانایی، و حق اینو داری که کسی رو اذیت کنی، یا عذاب بدی، ولی خودت انتخاب میکنی این کار رو نکنی.
...
همین که بیرون خونهمون جنگه خودش به اندازه کافی بد هست. توی خونه دیگه جنگ لازم نداریم.
...
میدانستم که ته دلش شاد نیست. میدانستم وانمود میکند. همین که خواسته بود وانمود کند، بیشتر ازش خوشم آمد.
...
- چیزی که تو تعریف میکنی خباثته.
+ سوزان میگه ناتوان بوده.
سر تکان داد: خیلی.
...
حتی وقتی لبخند میزد، لبخندش تا چشمهایش نمیرسید.
...
جنگ به پیچیدگی مذهب است.
...
سخت بود که ذهنم را وادار کنم همانجا بماند.
...
چیزی که درسته با چیزی که اجازه داریم بعضی وقتها فرق میکنه.
...
بعضی چیزها آنقدر پیچیده بود که نمیشد توضیح داد.
...
هر وقت احساس میکردم دنیای بیرون از تحملم خارج است، میتوانستم بروم جایی توی ذهنم.
...
انگار دلم بیشتر از خودش، برای فکر کردن به حضورش تنگ شده.
...
باید منو دوست داشته باشه. نداره. من نمیتونم درستش کنم. سخته، ولی واقعیت داره.
...
آدمها پیچیدهن. دوست داشتن خود تو خیلی آسون نیست. ولی با این وجود خواهرمی.
بهش چپچپ نگاه کردم. «دوست داشتن خودت آسون نیست.»
گفت «مطمئنم همینطوره. ولی با این وجود تو دوستم داری. من هم خواهرتم.»
...
گفت: «حتما خیلی ترسیده بودی.»
گفتم: «بله. ولی مهم نبود.» ترس و واکنشی که نشان میدادی دو چیز جدا از هم بودند.
داستان ادامهی جلد اول، با تغییراتی توی زندگی شخصیتها، جذاب پیش رفت. رشد آدمهای داستان واقعا الهامبخش و جالب بود.
نقطهی قوت این کتاب برای من شخصیتپردازی عمیق و چندلایهی آدمهای قصه، در عین سادگی بود. میتونستم تمام شخصیتها رو تصور کنم و بفهمم، حتی شخصیتهای فرعی و این یک امتیاز مهمه از دید من. سوزان رو خیلی خیلی دوست داشتم و ازش یاد گرفتم.
روند داستان، افتوخیزها و پایانبندی، همه چیز فوقالعاده بود. این مجموعهی دو جلدی از اون کتابهاییه که هدیه خواهم داد.
+ ترجمه مرضیه ورشوساز عالی بود.
--------------------
یادگاری از کتاب:
- چقدر درد میکنه؟
+ نمیدونم. همیشه درد میکنه.
- خارج از تحمل؟
سرم را تکان دادم. من قدرت تحمل هر چیزی را داشتم.
...
- متأسفم.
+ واقعا متأسفی؟
خودم متأسف بودم؟
...
تنها راه بیرون رفتن از این شرایط اینه که مستقیم راهت رو ادامه بدی.
...
گفت حسابی خسته شدی.
راست میگفت. متوجه نشده بودم، ولی یکدفعه دیدم آنقدر خستهام که حتی نمیتوانم بایستم.
...
میتونم یه دختر معمولی باشم؟ همین رو میخوام دیگه.
...
من آدم بزرگهم؛ تا تو بتونی بچگی کنی.
...
دست گذاشت روی شانهام، آرام، مثل وقتهایی که میخواست من را از توی افکار دورم برگرداند.
...
سعی نکرد قانعم کند فکرم اشتباه است.
...
لبخند نزد، ولی حس کردم به لبخند فکر میکند. من هم در جوابش به لبخندی فکر کردم.
...
رحم یعنی توانایی، و حق اینو داری که کسی رو اذیت کنی، یا عذاب بدی، ولی خودت انتخاب میکنی این کار رو نکنی.
...
همین که بیرون خونهمون جنگه خودش به اندازه کافی بد هست. توی خونه دیگه جنگ لازم نداریم.
...
میدانستم که ته دلش شاد نیست. میدانستم وانمود میکند. همین که خواسته بود وانمود کند، بیشتر ازش خوشم آمد.
...
- چیزی که تو تعریف میکنی خباثته.
+ سوزان میگه ناتوان بوده.
سر تکان داد: خیلی.
...
حتی وقتی لبخند میزد، لبخندش تا چشمهایش نمیرسید.
...
جنگ به پیچیدگی مذهب است.
...
سخت بود که ذهنم را وادار کنم همانجا بماند.
...
چیزی که درسته با چیزی که اجازه داریم بعضی وقتها فرق میکنه.
...
بعضی چیزها آنقدر پیچیده بود که نمیشد توضیح داد.
...
هر وقت احساس میکردم دنیای بیرون از تحملم خارج است، میتوانستم بروم جایی توی ذهنم.
...
انگار دلم بیشتر از خودش، برای فکر کردن به حضورش تنگ شده.
...
باید منو دوست داشته باشه. نداره. من نمیتونم درستش کنم. سخته، ولی واقعیت داره.
...
آدمها پیچیدهن. دوست داشتن خود تو خیلی آسون نیست. ولی با این وجود خواهرمی.
بهش چپچپ نگاه کردم. «دوست داشتن خودت آسون نیست.»
گفت «مطمئنم همینطوره. ولی با این وجود تو دوستم داری. من هم خواهرتم.»
...
گفت: «حتما خیلی ترسیده بودی.»
گفتم: «بله. ولی مهم نبود.» ترس و واکنشی که نشان میدادی دو چیز جدا از هم بودند.
April 22, 2019
I loved book one and book two continues Ada and Jamie's story with Susan. It's merely a week later at story open, and the three have nowhere to live, until Lady Thornton allows them to stay in a cottage on her property. Then Lady Thornton moves in with them, upsetting their routines.
The war is still on, and between the fear of more bombing, scarcer food, as well as the contant fear hanging over Lady Thornton for her son Jonathan's life, things are difficult. Then, Lord Thornton brings home a jewish girl, Ruth, for Susan to tutor, which causes Lady Thornton and the villagers a fair bit of upset, as Ruth is from Germany. Ada is confused, as wasn't she supposed to mistrust and be vigilant against Germans?
There is so much gentle humour amidst all the sadness and worry in this story. I also found it impossible to not feel sick when we found out Ruth's mother was at Ravensbruck, and that her grandmother, still in Germany, was no longer sending letters. Also, considering everything that came to light once camps were liberated at the end of the war, I found the villagers' mistrust and dislike of Ruth difficult to read.
While all that is going on, Susan and Lady Thornton ensure Ada receive surgery. Ada is often prickly about any changes to her environment, and though she has greater mobility, she continues to struggle against her fears of abandonment and abuse. Jamie seems to be much more comfortable seeing Susan as more than just a guardian. I like that Ada is still struggling with her trust issues. She also has so much more to deal with in this story, and I really appreciated how carefully Kimberly Brubaker Bradley managed Ada's burgeoning, and slow, trust and love for her family. And isn't Bovril a wonderful name for Jamie's cat?
The war is still on, and between the fear of more bombing, scarcer food, as well as the contant fear hanging over Lady Thornton for her son Jonathan's life, things are difficult. Then, Lord Thornton brings home a jewish girl, Ruth, for Susan to tutor, which causes Lady Thornton and the villagers a fair bit of upset, as Ruth is from Germany. Ada is confused, as wasn't she supposed to mistrust and be vigilant against Germans?
There is so much gentle humour amidst all the sadness and worry in this story. I also found it impossible to not feel sick when we found out Ruth's mother was at Ravensbruck, and that her grandmother, still in Germany, was no longer sending letters. Also, considering everything that came to light once camps were liberated at the end of the war, I found the villagers' mistrust and dislike of Ruth difficult to read.
While all that is going on, Susan and Lady Thornton ensure Ada receive surgery. Ada is often prickly about any changes to her environment, and though she has greater mobility, she continues to struggle against her fears of abandonment and abuse. Jamie seems to be much more comfortable seeing Susan as more than just a guardian. I like that Ada is still struggling with her trust issues. She also has so much more to deal with in this story, and I really appreciated how carefully Kimberly Brubaker Bradley managed Ada's burgeoning, and slow, trust and love for her family. And isn't Bovril a wonderful name for Jamie's cat?
February 23, 2019
Six stars for this second and final book in the series. I wish I had more time to write a review.
This book has everything: First, it is a page-turner. The characters are so real that I don't think I will ever forget them (even with my insomnia brain). The writing is simple and beautiful. This is the kind of book that makes me glad that I don't worry too much about who the audience is when I choose my next read because there are some extraordinarily talented writers out there writing for YA and middle grades, and this author is one of them.
The themes are numerous and include what it means to be part of a family / non-traditional families, love of all kinds, loss and grief, what it means to be at war and how do you know who the enemy is when you are at war (because it's not always simple), faith and belief, friendship, trust, coming of age, and so many other things. I'm being careful not to bring in any type of spoiler here.
I switched between the audiobook and the paper book, as I do with almost everything I read. The narrator is Jayne Entwistle, who wasn't my favorite narrator at the beginning because I associate her with the Flavia de Luce character, who is a know-it-all and the voice she uses here for the main character, Ada, is the same one she uses for Flavia. Well, by the second book, it was working for me. She changes convincingly for all of the different characters and does a beautifully moving job of conveying the mood and meaning of Brubaker's wonderful words.
I know that this is a series that will stay with me forever. I read library copies, but I've decided to buy both books and send them on a book ring because I want them to touch many more lives than just mine. The first book was great, but this book was stellar. I will never forget these characters, or their adventures. There were so many teary moments in here but this is not a depressing book. It is a story filled with love and with humanity and with hope. I really hope Kimberly Brubaker Bradley continues this series because part of me will always be in Kent with these characters! Love love love these books.
This book has everything: First, it is a page-turner. The characters are so real that I don't think I will ever forget them (even with my insomnia brain). The writing is simple and beautiful. This is the kind of book that makes me glad that I don't worry too much about who the audience is when I choose my next read because there are some extraordinarily talented writers out there writing for YA and middle grades, and this author is one of them.
The themes are numerous and include what it means to be part of a family / non-traditional families, love of all kinds, loss and grief, what it means to be at war and how do you know who the enemy is when you are at war (because it's not always simple), faith and belief, friendship, trust, coming of age, and so many other things. I'm being careful not to bring in any type of spoiler here.
I switched between the audiobook and the paper book, as I do with almost everything I read. The narrator is Jayne Entwistle, who wasn't my favorite narrator at the beginning because I associate her with the Flavia de Luce character, who is a know-it-all and the voice she uses here for the main character, Ada, is the same one she uses for Flavia. Well, by the second book, it was working for me. She changes convincingly for all of the different characters and does a beautifully moving job of conveying the mood and meaning of Brubaker's wonderful words.
I know that this is a series that will stay with me forever. I read library copies, but I've decided to buy both books and send them on a book ring because I want them to touch many more lives than just mine. The first book was great, but this book was stellar. I will never forget these characters, or their adventures. There were so many teary moments in here but this is not a depressing book. It is a story filled with love and with humanity and with hope. I really hope Kimberly Brubaker Bradley continues this series because part of me will always be in Kent with these characters! Love love love these books.
December 10, 2017
"Love isn't as rare as you think it is...You can love all sorts of people, in all sorts of ways. Nor is love in any way dangerous."
I've devoured this series within a week of "discovering" it, and now don't know what to do with myself. Thoroughly enjoyable and edifying. I would eat it if I could. I loved all of the historical elements that Bradley weaved into this story, an account of war in the English countryside from the perspective of a young girl evacuated from East End London. Though she's healed physically, the internal struggles with fear and anger Ada is in the process of overcoming, were written in such a charming manner. I forgot many times that I was reading a middle grade novel. Pssssh. This hit a heart spot in the way only shows like Home Fires, Call the Midwives, and Anne with an E can. I hope deep down that there will be a sequel to the sequel. One can dream, can't they?
"You can know things all you like, and someday you might believe them."
June 10, 2019
This is historical fiction about trust, bravery, family, and forgiveness. It is a heartfelt exploration of what it means to care for and be taken care of by others. It is a sequel to The War That Saved My Life, and a stands-alone novel which does not require reading the first book to be understood, but for optimal enjoyment, I suggest reading it after reading the first book, which was amazing. A must read, this 2nd book is just as beautifully written, historically exciting, and emotionally moving as the first one.
January 14, 2020
Na štai, suskaitėme ir antrąją knygos apie karą dalį. Labai džiaugiuosis sprendimu skaityti vaikams garsiai. Tiesa, ir anksčiau skaitydavau prieš miegą pasakėles,bet kai dukra išmoko skaityti, tai kaip ir poreikio nebuvo. Sūnus tik labai trumpam dėmesį sukaupdavo... Kadangi ir pati norėjau perskaityti šias knygas, taigi taupėm laiką.
Kokia gi ta antroji dalis? Buvo pasisakymų, kad ji silpnesnė už pirmąją ("Karas, kuris išgelbėjo mano gyvenimą"). Drįsčiau nesutikti. Taip, emocine prasme tai daug lėtesnė knyga. Daugiau apmąstymų, savianalizės. Jaučiama, kad Ada ir Džeimis, pagriniai veikėjai, labiau subrendę.
Vis dėl to šalia ryšio mezgimo, šeimos santykių, draugystės, pagarbos temų plėtojama ir karo tematika. Karas - tai nelinksmas laikas. Vis dėl to nepaisant karo žiaurumų, autorė visų pirma iškelia žmogiškumą. Taip pat daug informacijos apie Holokaustą apie žydus. Atrodo nejučia ir pats atsiduri įvykių sūkuryje.
Šias knygas rekomenduočiau perskaityti ir toms šeimos, kurios planuoja į savo šeimą priimti vaiką iš kitos šeimos, globos įstaigos. Tai kelionė į meilę ir į ryšio atradimą. Labai puikiai pavaizduota vaiko jausena, kai jaučiasi išduotas ir kaip sunku būti prijaukintam kito.
Galėčiau pasakoti ir pasakoti, bet rekomenduoju perskaityti ir patiems pajusti tą istoriją. Abi dalys yra nuostabios. Turbūt tai būtų mano mylimiausia vaikystės knyga...
Kokia gi ta antroji dalis? Buvo pasisakymų, kad ji silpnesnė už pirmąją ("Karas, kuris išgelbėjo mano gyvenimą"). Drįsčiau nesutikti. Taip, emocine prasme tai daug lėtesnė knyga. Daugiau apmąstymų, savianalizės. Jaučiama, kad Ada ir Džeimis, pagriniai veikėjai, labiau subrendę.
Vis dėl to šalia ryšio mezgimo, šeimos santykių, draugystės, pagarbos temų plėtojama ir karo tematika. Karas - tai nelinksmas laikas. Vis dėl to nepaisant karo žiaurumų, autorė visų pirma iškelia žmogiškumą. Taip pat daug informacijos apie Holokaustą apie žydus. Atrodo nejučia ir pats atsiduri įvykių sūkuryje.
Šias knygas rekomenduočiau perskaityti ir toms šeimos, kurios planuoja į savo šeimą priimti vaiką iš kitos šeimos, globos įstaigos. Tai kelionė į meilę ir į ryšio atradimą. Labai puikiai pavaizduota vaiko jausena, kai jaučiasi išduotas ir kaip sunku būti prijaukintam kito.
Galėčiau pasakoti ir pasakoti, bet rekomenduoju perskaityti ir patiems pajusti tą istoriją. Abi dalys yra nuostabios. Turbūt tai būtų mano mylimiausia vaikystės knyga...
January 5, 2019
You cannot read this book without first reading The War that Saved My Life - but if you read that one, I can't imagine you wouldn't want to read this one!
Classified a middle grade read, this book picks up where the first leaves off. My heart was full while reading this one, as I not only got to see our Ada grow into her own and tackle her demons but I met other characters that charmed me as well, most notably Ruth.
The story (series) is a way to teach younger students/children about an important and dark piece of history, WWII, while also teaching other important aspects of life - kindness, forgiveness, trust, patience, you get the idea. I'm adding Ada to my list of young favorite heroines - you can't help but root for her as she helps others who don't even realize they need help (insert Lady Thornton here!)
Be sure to read the Author's Note in the back of this book if you do pick it up - I so love Author's Notes!
Thanks to my NI friend, Sarah, for recommending these books and to Moderator, Shelli, for suggesting we have a lighter go of reading for the holidays which led to this series' nomination.
Classified a middle grade read, this book picks up where the first leaves off. My heart was full while reading this one, as I not only got to see our Ada grow into her own and tackle her demons but I met other characters that charmed me as well, most notably Ruth.
The story (series) is a way to teach younger students/children about an important and dark piece of history, WWII, while also teaching other important aspects of life - kindness, forgiveness, trust, patience, you get the idea. I'm adding Ada to my list of young favorite heroines - you can't help but root for her as she helps others who don't even realize they need help (insert Lady Thornton here!)
Be sure to read the Author's Note in the back of this book if you do pick it up - I so love Author's Notes!
Thanks to my NI friend, Sarah, for recommending these books and to Moderator, Shelli, for suggesting we have a lighter go of reading for the holidays which led to this series' nomination.
October 20, 2019
I have read both these books about Ada and her brother who were sent away during the war as evacuees to stay with Susan. I thought they were both wonderful books and recommend them highly. They were recommended to me and I am so glad I went ahead and bought them. I really don't want to write down a whole lot of spoilers and would just say that they are so well worth reading and they are among the very best books I have bought and read this year... beaten only by Kevin Ansbro's wonderful novels. The characterisation is of a high quality and the fascinating story lines in both books 1 and 2 is amazing. Various themes are covered in the books too,,, for example the emotional effects of disability and parent/child relationships. The emotional effect on both sides of having children who previously had known nothing about the country, arriving from London to live with country people and in this particular case, someone who was used to living alone, is also covered so well.
September 22, 2018
3.5
This book is sequel of THE WAR THAT SAVED MY LIFE. This was the "evil" twin sister. The one you play with and think "Oh she's sweet!" But then you get home and start thinking of the way she played and then it's like "Hmm... Maybe that wasn't so nice after all!"
This was that book. It didn't need to be a sequel and it didn't need a particular character but she showed up anyway... I enjoyed MY LIFE but I can't say I wholeheartedly enjoyed this one. Maybe I was expecting too much?
This book is sequel of THE WAR THAT SAVED MY LIFE. This was the "evil" twin sister. The one you play with and think "Oh she's sweet!" But then you get home and start thinking of the way she played and then it's like "Hmm... Maybe that wasn't so nice after all!"
This was that book. It didn't need to be a sequel and it didn't need a particular character but she showed up anyway... I enjoyed MY LIFE but I can't say I wholeheartedly enjoyed this one. Maybe I was expecting too much?
October 20, 2017
Whoa, one of the few books of this year I longed to return to and mourned its end. Ada's prickly voice shines. Lady Thorton more than makes up for the one-note Mam of the first book. A thornier Marrila Cuthbert.
September 18, 2024
✰ 4 stars ✰
“You can know things all you like, and someday you might believe them.”
A worthy and deeply satisfying sequel to highlight Ada Smith's personal growth and development as she navigates her life through the war that rages its way through England, as well as the war that wages in her heart over the events of her past that will ultimately shape her future. The painful truth that her clubfoot may have healed much earlier had her mother even for the remotest sense cared for her, is a vicious slap that is deepened even further when she discovers that she will never get the chance to confront her birth mother, as she passes away in a crushing attack. 🫂
The physical scars may be healing, but the wounds of her heart and mind will take their time to recover 'you don't need to torture yourself.'. What helps is the happenings of those around her that serve not only as a distraction, but a steady comfort of how she is not alone in facing her fears or heading forward - when there are those who are losing more than just what she has had to endure - what teaches her to find blessing in those who even in a time of loss and tragedy, will always open up their hearts to her and remind her that she has a place to belong and accepting that she does not have to earn to be loved, when it is given unconditionally so. ❤️🩹❤️🩹
“Only I still have to keep watch. I have to be careful, to keep bad things from happening again.”
I can’t deny that it took me awhile to warm up to Ada’s rather prickly behavior and her deep-rooted insecurities of abandonment and regressing back to that dark dismal times of being locked away. Her struggles to work out her issues was tangible; it seeps into you how desperate she feels the need to catch up and prove her worth that you can’t help but feel for her plight and forgive her attitude. 😥 She is slightly uncaring and dismissive of others’ feelings because she wants to fill up on all the information she’s been unaware of for so long. 'People are complicated. You, yourself, are not the easiest person to love.' Her resentment for not knowing is that she had no choice in the matter – how her circumstances prevented from a normal life - 'all my life I’d been miserable because of that foot.' She wants people to forget that she ever had a clubfoot, but never forget herself, which was in fact, something that was holding her back. 😢
Her frustration at her naiveté may make her seem disagreeable, but I understand where her confusion stems from, especially with the knowledge that even in death, her mother can hurt her that has left a lasting effect of the damage done to her. Her conflicting emotions over her newfound freedom is in a way a punishment and a reward for her accepting that radical change. 'Except for losing Mam, I’d done nothing but gain. Did Mam dying count as loss or gain?' That process of healing and letting go of the beautiful and tender transformation is what nurtures the story – against the backdrop of a prevalent war that demands resilience and perseverance is where her actions decide what kind of person she wishes to be. 🥺 But, as much as Ada shines in becoming a more confident and resilient and accepting person, to me, she was not the true heroine of the story. For me, it was Susan and Lady Thornton. Ada is at that stage in life of better understanding the different concepts and ways of the world not privy to before. Lady Thornton and Susan represent two sides to and may conflict at times, but equally and respectfully counterbalance each other with their teachings. ✨
“I love you,” I whispered. I buried my head against Susan’s shoulder. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you before.”
“Don’t be sorry,” she whispered back. “I know you love me. You know I love you too.”
Susan was a saint; the level of willful stubborness of denial, patience and tolerance she showed to help Ada accept and embrace her – physically and mentally. She has endured so much, but she never faltered in proving that she was here for the long run. Never one to even bad-mouth Ada’s own mother, but to help her see it from both perspectives and then give the right amount of nurturing to help Ada through her panic attacks and mental anxiety. 'But now it’s my job to take care of both of you. It will always be my job. Let me do it.' 🥲 The stress of being bombarded and caged in was such a powerful moment, that it is not through blood that they bond, but simply proving to her that she loves her and Jamie. That she only ever has their best interest at heart and she would do everything in her power to protect and care for them – even when Ada continues to be distrustful of how far her love goes – shines in her positive outlook and endearing nature that made her such a compassionate and caring adult and guardian angel to be responsible for these wayward orphans. 🫶🏻
Lady Thornton may have been portrayed as the thorn in Ada’s path, but her strength and dedication and steadfast commitment to her family was the bravest sight to behold. The love for horses that mirrored in Ada was just one of the ties that bound them; her love for her son even with its tragic ending, showed Ada that under that hard veneer was the softness and gentleness of someone who deeply cared. She showed it in the quiet ways that made me feel so proud of her temerity and conviction of letting Ada experience life as it was. In a way, even Ada helping her see how badly her best friend and daughter, Maggie, needed to be with her than at school, and her realizing it, was such an emotional scene. 😔
“I have so much to learn.”
“We all do,” Susan said. “We never stop learning.”
Ruth, the German-Jewish refugee who comes to live alongside them, also plays an integral part in helping Ada learn to appreciate the blessings she has. How hatred and intolerance can exist on a larger scale that makes her own fears feel inferior in the face of fear and war that threatens so many. It is a grim and heavy reminder that guides Ada to be braver and bolder and do courageous acts of kindness that show just how far she has come. ‘That’s what we’re fighting for. That kind of courage. We can’t get beaten, not when we’re fighting for the spirit of England.’ 💔💔 She faces her fears for the sake of others; she grieves for the loss of someone else’s pain that outweighs her own; she overcomes her past to face a future that promises to be a hopeful one with the ones she loves. The war is on her own turf and she fights to prove that she won’t lose to it.
There were some lovely tender moments that rang with heart and honesty; gentle humor and poignant emotions that captured the prevailing feelings of that time. The cast, itself, played such a pivotal part in enriching the story and making it feel alive and real. It’s in the little things that stood out how even a small village can come together in time of solidarity that any fan of historical middle-grade reads will appreciate. While I do admit some scenes ended on a rather predictable note, and it could have been slightly condensed by not including certain scenes that felt a bit too unbelievable for my liking, I did feel the story. The emotions rang true and each character – minor or major – brought a little something to the story to make it such a profound and impactful one. Ada’s journey and struggles is a quiet but powerful tour de force of a young girl who braved the challenges she faced to become a stronger and more confident and self-assured young woman in The War I Finally Won. 🌟
“You can know things all you like, and someday you might believe them.”
A worthy and deeply satisfying sequel to highlight Ada Smith's personal growth and development as she navigates her life through the war that rages its way through England, as well as the war that wages in her heart over the events of her past that will ultimately shape her future. The painful truth that her clubfoot may have healed much earlier had her mother even for the remotest sense cared for her, is a vicious slap that is deepened even further when she discovers that she will never get the chance to confront her birth mother, as she passes away in a crushing attack. 🫂
The physical scars may be healing, but the wounds of her heart and mind will take their time to recover 'you don't need to torture yourself.'. What helps is the happenings of those around her that serve not only as a distraction, but a steady comfort of how she is not alone in facing her fears or heading forward - when there are those who are losing more than just what she has had to endure - what teaches her to find blessing in those who even in a time of loss and tragedy, will always open up their hearts to her and remind her that she has a place to belong and accepting that she does not have to earn to be loved, when it is given unconditionally so. ❤️🩹❤️🩹
“Only I still have to keep watch. I have to be careful, to keep bad things from happening again.”
I can’t deny that it took me awhile to warm up to Ada’s rather prickly behavior and her deep-rooted insecurities of abandonment and regressing back to that dark dismal times of being locked away. Her struggles to work out her issues was tangible; it seeps into you how desperate she feels the need to catch up and prove her worth that you can’t help but feel for her plight and forgive her attitude. 😥 She is slightly uncaring and dismissive of others’ feelings because she wants to fill up on all the information she’s been unaware of for so long. 'People are complicated. You, yourself, are not the easiest person to love.' Her resentment for not knowing is that she had no choice in the matter – how her circumstances prevented from a normal life - 'all my life I’d been miserable because of that foot.' She wants people to forget that she ever had a clubfoot, but never forget herself, which was in fact, something that was holding her back. 😢
Her frustration at her naiveté may make her seem disagreeable, but I understand where her confusion stems from, especially with the knowledge that even in death, her mother can hurt her that has left a lasting effect of the damage done to her. Her conflicting emotions over her newfound freedom is in a way a punishment and a reward for her accepting that radical change. 'Except for losing Mam, I’d done nothing but gain. Did Mam dying count as loss or gain?' That process of healing and letting go of the beautiful and tender transformation is what nurtures the story – against the backdrop of a prevalent war that demands resilience and perseverance is where her actions decide what kind of person she wishes to be. 🥺 But, as much as Ada shines in becoming a more confident and resilient and accepting person, to me, she was not the true heroine of the story. For me, it was Susan and Lady Thornton. Ada is at that stage in life of better understanding the different concepts and ways of the world not privy to before. Lady Thornton and Susan represent two sides to and may conflict at times, but equally and respectfully counterbalance each other with their teachings. ✨
“I love you,” I whispered. I buried my head against Susan’s shoulder. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you before.”
“Don’t be sorry,” she whispered back. “I know you love me. You know I love you too.”
Susan was a saint; the level of willful stubborness of denial, patience and tolerance she showed to help Ada accept and embrace her – physically and mentally. She has endured so much, but she never faltered in proving that she was here for the long run. Never one to even bad-mouth Ada’s own mother, but to help her see it from both perspectives and then give the right amount of nurturing to help Ada through her panic attacks and mental anxiety. 'But now it’s my job to take care of both of you. It will always be my job. Let me do it.' 🥲 The stress of being bombarded and caged in was such a powerful moment, that it is not through blood that they bond, but simply proving to her that she loves her and Jamie. That she only ever has their best interest at heart and she would do everything in her power to protect and care for them – even when Ada continues to be distrustful of how far her love goes – shines in her positive outlook and endearing nature that made her such a compassionate and caring adult and guardian angel to be responsible for these wayward orphans. 🫶🏻
Lady Thornton may have been portrayed as the thorn in Ada’s path, but her strength and dedication and steadfast commitment to her family was the bravest sight to behold. The love for horses that mirrored in Ada was just one of the ties that bound them; her love for her son even with its tragic ending, showed Ada that under that hard veneer was the softness and gentleness of someone who deeply cared. She showed it in the quiet ways that made me feel so proud of her temerity and conviction of letting Ada experience life as it was. In a way, even Ada helping her see how badly her best friend and daughter, Maggie, needed to be with her than at school, and her realizing it, was such an emotional scene. 😔
“I have so much to learn.”
“We all do,” Susan said. “We never stop learning.”
Ruth, the German-Jewish refugee who comes to live alongside them, also plays an integral part in helping Ada learn to appreciate the blessings she has. How hatred and intolerance can exist on a larger scale that makes her own fears feel inferior in the face of fear and war that threatens so many. It is a grim and heavy reminder that guides Ada to be braver and bolder and do courageous acts of kindness that show just how far she has come. ‘That’s what we’re fighting for. That kind of courage. We can’t get beaten, not when we’re fighting for the spirit of England.’ 💔💔 She faces her fears for the sake of others; she grieves for the loss of someone else’s pain that outweighs her own; she overcomes her past to face a future that promises to be a hopeful one with the ones she loves. The war is on her own turf and she fights to prove that she won’t lose to it.
There were some lovely tender moments that rang with heart and honesty; gentle humor and poignant emotions that captured the prevailing feelings of that time. The cast, itself, played such a pivotal part in enriching the story and making it feel alive and real. It’s in the little things that stood out how even a small village can come together in time of solidarity that any fan of historical middle-grade reads will appreciate. While I do admit some scenes ended on a rather predictable note, and it could have been slightly condensed by not including certain scenes that felt a bit too unbelievable for my liking, I did feel the story. The emotions rang true and each character – minor or major – brought a little something to the story to make it such a profound and impactful one. Ada’s journey and struggles is a quiet but powerful tour de force of a young girl who braved the challenges she faced to become a stronger and more confident and self-assured young woman in The War I Finally Won. 🌟
August 29, 2021
این بچهها خوششانس بودن. کلی آدم به معنای واقعی کلمه حواسشون بهشون بود و هواشونو داشتن. اولش درسته که خیلی بدبخت بودن. اما خوش شانس بودن. اکثر آدما خوششانس نیستن... اکثر آدما کسی رو ندارن توی بدترین لحظات کنارشون باشه.
من نیستم.
من نداشتم
من ندارم
همهش حرف حرف حرف!
و این داستان برای کسایی مثل من منصفانه نیست. این همه دروغ. این همه امید دروغ.
همه چیز فقط بدتر و بدتر میشه
هیچ راه نجاتی نیست
این تمام واقعیته
من نیستم.
من نداشتم
من ندارم
همهش حرف حرف حرف!
و این داستان برای کسایی مثل من منصفانه نیست. این همه دروغ. این همه امید دروغ.
همه چیز فقط بدتر و بدتر میشه
هیچ راه نجاتی نیست
این تمام واقعیته
July 14, 2024
This book and the previous one wrecked me. So good. 💔😍🥺😭
January 13, 2025
BRING BORROW BYPASS
6th/7th reread (April 2021) review: Can. Not. Get. Enough. Of. It.
5th/6th reread review: Honestly, this book just keeps getting better and better. Cried, laughed, giggled, read parts aloud to my husband, highlighted even more parts than before. Seriously, cannot get enough of it!
I read this entire book in one day back in October of 2017, and I was a complete mess after finishing. It wasn't a perfect storybook ending, and it wasn't as though every single problem was magically fixed or made better. But it was incredibly real, and incredibly heartwarming.
I listened to it on audio for my first reread, and it was a really good experience. The most difficult part was trying to remember to be patient and not rush to my bookcase to get my print copy so I could finish faster, haha. I do think I didn't connect emotionally the same way to some of the parts, listening to audio vs reading print, but it still had a profound effect on me.
Maybe I'll be able to write a more cohesive review after my third reread, but for now I'm just going to leave you with the note that I cannot more strongly recommend both this book and its predecessor, The War That Saved My Life. <3
6th/7th reread (April 2021) review: Can. Not. Get. Enough. Of. It.
5th/6th reread review: Honestly, this book just keeps getting better and better. Cried, laughed, giggled, read parts aloud to my husband, highlighted even more parts than before. Seriously, cannot get enough of it!
I read this entire book in one day back in October of 2017, and I was a complete mess after finishing. It wasn't a perfect storybook ending, and it wasn't as though every single problem was magically fixed or made better. But it was incredibly real, and incredibly heartwarming.
I listened to it on audio for my first reread, and it was a really good experience. The most difficult part was trying to remember to be patient and not rush to my bookcase to get my print copy so I could finish faster, haha. I do think I didn't connect emotionally the same way to some of the parts, listening to audio vs reading print, but it still had a profound effect on me.
Maybe I'll be able to write a more cohesive review after my third reread, but for now I'm just going to leave you with the note that I cannot more strongly recommend both this book and its predecessor, The War That Saved My Life. <3
February 22, 2021
Nuostabi,kaip ir pirmoji dalis.❤️
January 19, 2018
I can't even remember the last time I was brought to tears by a book, but I was profoundly moved by the beauty and sadness of this amazing audiobook (and its predecessor, The War That Saved My Life.)
Read or listen to them both immediately, but don't say I didn't warn you. This is one of the best novels of 2017.
Read or listen to them both immediately, but don't say I didn't warn you. This is one of the best novels of 2017.
January 2, 2018
IM NOT CRYING, YOU'RE CRYING
OH NO MY BAD, I'M CRYING. I'M CRYING SO MUCH. I'M CRYING SO MUCH IT'S MAKING YOU CRY TOO.
BUT LIKE IN A GOOD WAY THOUGH.
OH NO MY BAD, I'M CRYING. I'M CRYING SO MUCH. I'M CRYING SO MUCH IT'S MAKING YOU CRY TOO.
BUT LIKE IN A GOOD WAY THOUGH.
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