The War That Saved My Life

The War That Saved My Life

• Genre: Fiction; middle grade historical fiction
• Originally Published: 2015
• Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 580L; grades 5-8
• Structure/Length: 46 chapters; approx. 352 pages; approx. 7 hours, 30 minutes on audio
• Protagonist and Central Conflict: As World War II begins, 10-year-old Ada and her brother, Jamie, flee their abusive mother in London and find shelter, comfort, and support with a woman named Susan outside the city. Together, the three face discrimination, neglect, and the horror of war as they realize how important they are to each other.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Physical and verbal abuse of children; war

Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, Author

• Bio: Born 1967; earned chemistry degree from Smith College; worked as a chemist, writer, editor; published 17 books; loves horses; lives on 52-acre farm; enjoys traveling around the world and learning about different places; Publisher’s Week’s Flying Start Award (1998); ALA Notable Children’s Book (2012); Kirkus Prize Finalist (2020)
• Other Works: Ruthie’s Gift (1998); Jefferson’s Sons: A Founding Father’s Secret Children (2013); The War I Finally Won (2017)
• Awards: Newbery Honor Award (2016), Children’s Book Committee’s Josette Frank Award for Fiction (2016), Schneider Family Book Award (2016)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Unit:

• Persistence and Hope
• Identity and Social Acceptance
• Abuse Versus Neglect