The Children’s Book Review | November 13, 2017
The Children’s Book Review: Which five words best describe The War I Finally Won?
Kimberly Brubaker Bradley: Once safe, Ada can heal.
If you had to take a vacation with one of the characters from The War I Finally Won, who would it be? Why?
Ada—I’d love to see her experience new cultures and natural wonders.
What has been the best reaction from a reader, so far?
My mother, who said, “It’s better than the first one!”
What’s on your nightstand? Any books?
Always a book light, for night time reading, and usually several books. Right now I’m reading American Street and a book about the plague.
For your writing energy: sugar or salt, tea or coffee?
Coffee coffee coffee! Salt, not sugar. And sometimes cheese.
Writing tools: computer, pen and paper, or all of the above?
Computer nearly always.
Can you tell us one more thing we may not know about The War I Finally Won, your writing style, or yourself?
I always saw myself writing this book—from the very start I knew The War that Saved My Life had a sequel. I did not know that writing it would take nine months—probably that was a good thing.
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Written by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Publisher’s Synopsis: Like the classic heroines of Sarah, Plain and Tall and Little Women, Ada conquers the homefront as her World War II journey continues in this sequel to the Newbery Honor–winning The War that Saved My Life.
When Ada’s clubfoot is surgically fixed at last, she knows for certain that she’s not what her mother said she was—damaged, deranged, crippled mentally as well as physically. She’s not a daughter anymore, either. Who is she now?
World War II rages on, and Ada and her brother, Jamie, move with their guardian, Susan, into a cottage with the iron-faced Lady Thorton and her daughter, Maggie. Life in the crowded home is tense. Then Ruth moves in. Ruth, a Jewish girl, from Germany. A German? Could Ruth be a spy?
As the fallout from war intensifies, calamity creeps closer, and life during wartime grows even more complicated. Who will Ada decide to be? How can she keep fighting? And who will she struggle to save?
Ada’s first story, The War that Saved My Life, was a #1 New York Times bestseller and 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 masterwork of historical fiction continues Ada’s journey of family, faith, and identity, showing us that real freedom is not just the ability to choose, but the courage to make the right choice.
Ages 9-12 | Publisher: Dial Books | Oct. 3, 2017 | ISBN-13: 978-0525429203
Available Here:
About the Author and Illustrator
Kimberly Brubaker Bradley lives on a forty-two-acre farm in Bristol, Tennessee. She is the author of several books for children, including Leap of Faith, Jefferson’s Sons, and the Newbery Honor book The War that Saved My Life.
This speed interview with Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, author of The War that Saved My Life and The War I Finally Won, was conducted by Bianca Schulze. For similar books and articles, follow along with our content tagged with Books About Identity, Courage, Freedom, Historical Fiction, Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, Middle Grade Books, Speed Interview, and World War II.
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