By Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Dial Books, 2015. 316 pages. Juvenile Fiction
Just before the onset of World War 2, ten-year-old Ada has never left her London apartment because her mother is humiliated by Ada's twisted foot. When her younger brother Jaime prepares to be shipped out of London to escape the war, Ada defiantly sneaks out to join him on the train. Ada and Jaime experience a new world in the countryside, not just in the outdoor splendor but in the home of Susan Smith, who reluctantly takes them in. Susan treats them differently from their mother - she doesn't hit them or keep food from them if they've been bad. Slowly, they come to trust Susan and Ada experiences a life far more fulfilling than her mother ever planned for her.
This story is told from Ada's perspective, who is a bit of an unreliable narrator. Ada doesn't fully understand that her mother's treatment of her has been abusive, or that her life could be much better. Seeing Ada grow into a more capable, stronger girl is a satisfying transformation, and I appreciated that the wartime setting was downplayed so we could focus on the characters. I listened to the audiobook, narrated by my favorite reader, Jayne Entwistle, and it did not disappoint. This book is available as a book club set here at the Provo City Library.
BHG
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