The War I Finally Won

I have to start by saying, I have not read The War that Saved My Life.  This book was nominated for Lone Star, and I started reading without realizing it was a sequel.  It is perfectly readable and enjoyable on its own, but it didn't take long before I went online to see if it was a sequel.  I would recommend reading the books in order.

When Ada undergoes surgery to fix her clubfoot, her life is changed.  She's spent her whole life believing her mother's cruel words, believing she is damaged, useless, and shameful.  Now she and her brother, Jamie, live with Susan, their mother died in a bombing, and her foot is fixed.  Who is she now?

Susan, who became their reluctant guardian when the children left London for the safety of the country, is now their loving parent, and wealthy Lady Thornton has moved in with them so her home can be used by the military.  Ada loved Lady Thornton's daughter, Maggie, like a sister, but Lady Thornton is too proud and pampered for Ada's taste.

Though Ada is removed physically from the action of WWII, the war affects her everyday life through rationing, watching for German bombers, and the constant anxiety that a loved one may not return.  The war is the backdrop for Ada's journey to make peace with her painful past, and she and Lady Thornton make the greatest changes.  For the most part, Ada's friends are understanding and compassionate with her more prickly personality traits as she works through her issues.

Kimberly Brubaker Bradley's book is good historical fiction with a beautiful character study about a girl overcoming abuse and neglect.