"The War That Saved My Life" and "The War I Finally Won" by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

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 for Ada, and for Susan Smith, the woman who is forced to take the two kids in. 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?

I have read quite a few books that take place during the World War II era, but not quite like The War That Saved My Life and The War I Finally Won. Ada was born with a club foot and because of it, has never been allowed to leave her home. She and her brother Jamie live with their often absent and abusive mother. While Jamie is allowed to leave their apartment, neither child has lived the life that a child should. When Jamie is sent away from London, for his safety because of the war, Ada sneaks away to be with him. She has no idea that this is going to be the best decision she has ever made and that she will finally be allowed to live. Ada and Jamie are placed with a woman named Susan. All three have a lot to learn about living with one another and allowing other people to help them, but it ends up being the best situation for everyone. The War I Finally Won picks up right where the first book left off (no spoilers) and continues to focus on Ada's self growth throughout the war.

Though set during World War II, the plot does not center around it. Naturally, it is discussed and the characters are often deeply effected by it, but the war is not the focus of the novels. Instead we get to see how Ada learns about a world she has never been allowed to experience and she how she grows. We get to see how she improves her life and the lives of those around her. We also get to see Jamie grow.  Reading this book as an adult, I found this book fascinating, but heart breaking. Kimberly Brubaker Bradley touches on some very mature topics, such as Ada's abuse and details with the war. I'm not certain if I would have appreciated this book had a I read it as a child. There are times where the plot moved somewhat slow. Because I like Bradley's writing, it wasn't a struggle to continue reading, but this also makes me wonder if the books would appeal to younger readers. I did enjoy that the novel includes many of the aspects of what actions the characters took to help the war effort. I personally find these details in books interesting. Overall, I recommend giving this book a try, but don't be surprised if you find it's not quite your cup of tea.

Happy Reading!

-Melly

"Undaunted: Five True Stories from World War II" by J. Pepper Bryars

I am a little conflicted about this book. It was a very interesting look at several people's journeys during World War II. However, I felt the the writing was a little juvenile and overall it was far too short.

From the title, you can get the overall set-up of Undaunted: Five True Stories from World War II. Each chapter follows a different person at a different location during the war. While I like the overall concept of this book, upon finishing it, I was left with a desire for more. At times, it reminded me of a school assignment where the writer had done some research, but not quite enough and was rushing to get the final paper finished in time to turn in. This really is a shame as Bryars had a great concept for this book. I'm guessing some of my struggle with this book is not being sure who it's target audience is. Length-wise I could see it being great for kids, but as some of the topics are a little graphics, I would suggest it for more mature readers.

As a book delving into the lives of people who were in the middle of World War II, I would have to say that this an okay read. I would love it is Bryars took this book and expanded it into something more either with more details pertaining to each person or more stories from other people. I'm not sure if I would recommend this book. Perhaps as a quick resource guide to find out more about World War II, but I would definitely recommend branching out into other books as well.

Happy Reading
-Melly

"The Storyteller" by Jodi Picoult

It's no secret that I have read a lot of holocaust related books in my life time.  Also no secret it that I am (somewhat) a Jodi Picoult fan (I say somewhat only because I have liked everything I have read but haven't read everything yet).  So for me The Storyteller is a great combination.

Sage keeps mostly to herself but when she is approached by a prominent, elderly gentleman from her community she will get the shock of a lifetime. Josef Weber asks Sage to kill him.  He was an SS Guard during the holocaust and can do no longer live with his guilt.  Sage's grandmother managed to survive the holocaust, but has never told anyone the full story.  Conflicted, Sage wants to hear her grandmother's story.  The book spends a lot of it's time flashing back to the events of World War II.  We find out about Minka's (Sage's grandmother) and Josef's pasts and how their paths crossed each other (sorry, spoiler, but it's not a surprise when it happens).  As to be expected from Picoult, there is a twist at the end though not as intense as the other Picoult books I have read (this is the first one that I actually guessed how the novel would end- and I was right!) but the book doesn't focus on the fact that the ending will have a twist.

I was very impressed with this book.  I expected it to read more like the rest of Picoult's books with more drama and controversy.  While this book did have some, it's wasn't nearly as intense as the rest of her books.  I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the holocaust or to anyone that just needs a goo read. I absolutely loved this book!


Happy Reading!
-Melly  

"Timeriders" by Alex Scarrow

I could not put this book down! Timeriders by Alex Scarrow follows three teens that were barely rescued from death (Liam was saved from the Titanic in 1912, Maddy from a plane crash in 2010 and Sal from a fire in 2026) and brought to Manhattan in 2001. They then discover that they are now part of a secret organization called The Agency and are assigned with the task of keeping the world safe from time travel. Each has an assigned task: Maddy, the team leader takes care of all computer tasks, Sal's job is to monitor daily events, taking care to note any changes sparked by time travel, and Liam is sent back in time to resolve any changes made by time travelers. The Agency is housed in an archway in New York City which exists in a time bubble, where the three relive the days of September 10 and September 11. Sal ventures around the city daily, noting a woman who picks up her child's toy, the various advertisements for Shrek and Mamma Mia and, sadly, the World Trade Center attacks.

During a training exercise, Liam is taken back to Dallas, Texas where he encounters Lee Harvey Oswald and prevents the assassination of John F. Kennedy. By doing so, Sal notices changes in 2001 and Maddy's research concludes that Kennedy survived leading to further space advances. However, back in 1963, history is once again altered as another assassin takes the president's life and the future changes back.

During her daily walk, Sal avoids making eye contact with the Twin Towers, as she has seen the attack and lived through the events more than she can bear. But it never comes. She looks up to find that New York has completely changed. Cars have suddenly become old fashioned and cell phone ads have disappeared. The team quickly discovers that the past has changed and Germany won World War II. Liam and support unit Bob travel back Washington D.C. 1956 and find themselves in the middle of a Nazi invasion on the White House. The plot continues with the two sets of Agency members trying to help each other across the timeline and get everything back to the way it should be.

I picked up this book because it involves several areas of history that have always interested me (the Titanic and WWII among others). I read it quickly over two nights and was completely absorbed in the book. Fans of history and science fiction will likely be engulfed in this fast paced read. I felt that the various historical elements were well researched and that the characters and their experiences were believable. I am very much looking forward to reading the rest of the books (nine total are planned).

Happy Reading!
-Melly

"Number the Stars" by Lois Lowry, read by Blair Brown

I first read Number the Stars as part of a class assignment when I was in the sixth grade. As I recall, I had already read some of Lowry's Anastasia Krupnik books before this (yet another series I recommended, especially to young girls who love sassy, spunky, and fun characters). Since that time, this is book that often makes it to my “to be read again” pile.

I recently listened to the audio version of this wonderful book. I was amazed at just how quickly I went through it (I'm used to audio books such as Harry Potter with more than three cds) but still enjoyed the story as much as always.

Number the Stars tells the story of Annemarie, and young girl from Copenhagen, growing up amidst the soldiers and other changes that came with the Nazi invasion of World War II. Annemarie spends her days practicing for races at school, playing paper dolls with her best friend Ellen, and making up stories to tell to her younger sister Kirsti. Though much has changed, it has little effect on Annemarie's everyday life until word comes that all of the Jewish citizens are going to be “relocated.” Ellen is Jewish.

Annemarie's parents immediately take Ellen in, pretending she is their own daughter and make plans to hide her from the Nazi's. Throughout the novel, Annemarie must conquer her fears to help save her friend and get her to Sweden.

This novel is a great novel for late elementary and middle school readers to be introduced to the history of WWII. Shortly after reading it, I discovered The Diary of Anne Frank which has since led me to read many books on the holocaust and other topics of the time. I would hope that other readers would use this book as a stepping stone to find more pieces literature, both fiction and non-fiction (and by listening to the audio version, families are able to easily share this book together) Readers who enjoy this book will likely enjoy Lowry's other Newbery winner, The Giver and it's companions Gathering Blue and Messenger.

Happy Reading!

-Melly