The War I Finally Won Hardcover – Deckle Edge, October 3, 2017

I am a Christian bookworm who has been homeschooling a girl, 9, and a boy, 11, during the pandemic. I have chosen almost exclusively Newberry Award Winning books for their reading materials this year in the hopes of helping two kids who were behind in reading to fall in love with reading. We read The War that Saved My Life first. Somewhere along the way, the boy who had told me he would NEVER like reading and I couldn't make him, said "I just love this book!" It was indeed one of the most beautifully written children's books I have ever read, but the ending was quite abrupt, leaving the reader hanging. I was thrilled to find that there was a sequel. This book. As always, I read the reviews before ordering and was troubled to find a review "warning" that the clues to a homosexual relationship in the first book are clearly stated fact in the second book. Because of how well written the first was, I ordered it anyway, deciding I would read it myself before deciding whether to read it to the children. They are young, and in my judgement, too young to be exposed to such a topic. It is true that the first book AND this book make enough references to convince me that the English woman who cared for Ada and Jamie was indeed a woman who had been in a same sex relationship before her partner died. However, both books ever and only refer to that woman as her best friend, as someone she loved, and as someone whose death she grieved. Now, each person has to make their own judgements on these things, and I do not believe an Amazon review is the place to share mine. I just want to set the record straight because of the review I read. I am thinking carefully how I will handle any questions from my two students as to Why Susan's family disowned her and wouldn't see her anymore, though no such questions occurred in book 1. Once I settle that in my mind, I intend to read this beautiful story that is filled with WWII history, not to mention wisdom about the pain of life (child abuse, child neglect, death from war, etc.) and how to handle it courageously. The book is so memorable I have no doubt that one day when they are older, they may come to realize who Susan was. And, I believe it will give them compassion for people who are different from them. In that sense, at least, I think that will be a Christian thing.

In this sequel to The War That Saved my Life, Ada and her brother continue their life countryside with Susan. I don't want to give the story away, but it's interesting and engaging. I do recommend that you read the first book before tackling this one. It could be a good stand-alone novel, but it will have more depth if you read the first book before the second one.

My 10 year old great granddaughter recommend i read this book after she recommended it, and I read The War That Saved My Life. Although it says it is a middle school book, it was a great adult book. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I am almost 80.

So my thoughts on the second book: equally rich, equally compelling. The War I Finally Won takes up Ada’s story from the time when she came to live permanently with Susan. Ada, Susan and Jamie have changed residences (for reasons that will become apparent when you read Saved My Life) and are now living with Lady Thornton (and Maggie when she is home from boarding school.) Susan has paid for foot surgery for Ada and the family is dealing with the war that is raging on their doorstep. Food rations, potato picking, fire watches and the like are all part of their daily lives as they try to survive in a world that is being torn apart by World War II.Three major developments take place in this book: 1) A young German refugee named Ruth comes to live with Ada, Susan, Jamie and Lady Thornton, 2) A tragedy befalls the family as part of the war and 3) Susan becomes very ill and requires hospitalization. Throughout the book, the reader sees these three events folded together to bring the book to its eventual close…how they deal with Ruth, face their tragedy and learn about the depth of their love for one another in the face of Susan’s illness are the major themes that frame the second book overall.Readers get to spend more time with Lady Thornton and her family members in this sequel and will get to know Ruth (and see the impact of the war on Germans who did not follow Hitler.) We also learn about suffering and strength and what it can do to people’s characters. Finally, we get to see Ada come to terms with her history and understand that she is lovable and that her mother’s assertions about her defectiveness were nothing more than the ravings of a women who was inherently ‘broken’ herself.Jamie continues to provide comic relief in this second book and Ada continues to establish herself as a fighter…she faces adversity and her own fear with courage and aplomb. Perhaps most heartwarming within this second book is Susan’s story: we finally learn more about her past and come to understand her depression, her strength and her willingness and ability to love Ada and Jamie through their struggles. The combination of Ada’s and Susan’s characters, is, to my mind, one of the best pairings I have encountered in a book in a long time. They will tear at your heartstrings, have you in tears and leave you with warm laughter.I can’t recommend these two books enough…they read like older books of the same style (think Anne of Green Gables or Little Women) but are somewhat more modern and forward thinking. There’s lots to learn about World War II and the state of affairs of that time in Europe but neither book reads as ‘educational’ (a curse to the 11 year old, I assure you!) There’s a lot to uncover in each book and I’m sure you could read each one repeatedly and find new and different topics to consider and discuss. Brubaker Bradley does an amazing job drawing this ‘family’ together and making the reader truly care about what happens as they build their story together! Read them in order, for sure…but definitely take the opportunity to read them. You won’t regret it!

The book is a great follow up to The War that Saved My Life, finishing the story.I hadn't expected the book to be second hand with a torn cover and some torn pages, and a sticker inside from the previous owner. that was disappointing.Suitable I would think for 12 years upwards. Our 13 year old granddaughter really enjoyed it.

Hello, as you must notice from the headline, I am very excited about this book because I had read its prequel not long ago, this is one of the greatest books I’ve ever read…. Coming from me, well let’s just say that its very hard to make it on that list. It’s about a young girl, Ada, and she has a club foot, if (face it when) you read this novel you will take on many adventures with her including, German nazi spies, tragic deaths, and bright hope. This book is literally a huge roller coaster of emotions and you should ride it, even if your too short. I hoped my review helped when deciding on your next read. Enjoy!!!!