The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley is the Hamilton Book of the week, nominated by Heidi Marshall, the librarian at Westview Elementary.
The War That Saved My Life is a 2015 children’s middle-grade historical fiction book. When a young girl that has never been allowed to leave her London apartment escapes with her younger brother to leave the war, she finds herself on an adventure she could have never imagined. The War that Saved My Life was a Newbery Honor Book in 2016 and was Bradley’s first Newbery Honor Book. "This book is an exceptionally moving story of triumph against all the odds set during World War II," officials said.
“Older students like this book because it offers another viewpoint. Things would be different for all of the characters if there had not been a war," said Ms. Marshall.
Check out more recommended books in the Hamilton Book of the Week here.
"Hamilton Book of the Week seeks to move Hamilton County Schools closer to district goals found in the Future Ready 2023 action plan," officials said. "We hope to encourage kids to read more books for fun by sharing books popular at area schools."
Officials said district goals more students reading will address include:
• Reading improvement will increase the number of students on-track or mastering English language arts
• Improve the district ACT score to a district average of 21
• Reach the target goal of a 90 percent graduation rate by 2023
Editorial Reviews
Amazon: 5 out of 5 stars from Amazon Readers
From Goodreads.com:
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 of Ada, and for Susan Smith, the woman who is forced to take the two kids into her life. 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.