Have you ever faced big challenges, only to come out much stronger? The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley will keep you mesmerised for hours. It starts during World War II, where a young girl, Ada, and her brother Jamie have to leave London for safer places in the countryside due to German bombing raids.
But this isn’t just a war story—it’s about Ada, who has a clubfoot and how she learns to believe in herself, despite her physical challenges.
We read early in the book how tough Ada’s life really is. Her mum is incredibly mean towards her, and she keeps her locked up in a tiny apartment because of her disability. Since she can’t walk well, her mum calls her “stupid” and “ugly.” She never goes outside, doesn’t have any friends, and feels super alone. Imagine not being able to play or see the sun—that’s her struggle every day.
When the war unexpectedly forces Ada to go to the countryside, a radiant light breaks through the gloom of her life, gradually transforming her world from dull grey into hope and possibility. On the train ride there, Ada sees a young girl riding a pony, looking so free and happy. She thinks, “Someday, I could do that too!” The dream ignites in her heart, showing her that maybe she isn’t broken after all.
Ada and Jamie end up staying with Miss Susan Smith, who lives alone and is sad because her best friend Becky has died. At first, Susan isn’t sure about taking care of kids, but by giving them love, she gets over losing Becky and opens her heart to them. It’s heartwarming how they become a family, showing that grown-ups need healing too.
In earlier years, people often thought kids like Ada couldn’t do much. Not everybody could afford going to the doctor, and bullies were mean about differences. Today, things are way better! There are laws for equal rights, and schools that include everyone. But Ada’s story reminds us that some kids still feel left out, so we must be kind and stand up for friends who are different.
From her personal growth, we learn that people can hurt inside. Ada faces horrors beyond the bombs. She dealt with abandonment, extreme humiliation, and a loveless relationship with her mum. Her transformation when she learns to trust and love is like a rainbow of colours: soft greens for the peaceful countryside that heals her, warm golds for the hope she finds in new friends and pony rides, bold hues—like bright ribbons in her hair—for her resilience and determination to keep trying. And blue, like the sky, for her growing confidence as she runs and laughs freely.
Like Ada, we might feel stuck sometimes—maybe from being bullied or feeling “not good enough.” But her incredible journey demonstrates how to make dreams happen, and find people who care. It’s adventurous, with a bit of danger, but mostly it’s about heart. Go get a copy and read it under your covers, and dream big—you might just see yourself in Ada!
-Helen Barnard
Junior Girl, Curatorial
Girl Museum