*Newbery Honor book *Winner of the Schneider Family Book Award * Forbes 25 Top Historical Fiction Books Of All Time selection This #1 New York Times bestseller is an exceptionally moving story of triumph against all odds set during World War II, from the acclaimed author of Fighting Words , and for fans of Fish in a Tree and Sarah, Plain and Tall . 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? "Achingly lovely...Nuanced and emotionally acute." -- The Wall Street Journal "Unforgettable...unflinching." --Common Sense Media "Touching...Emotionally charged." -- Forbes ★ "Brisk and honest...Cause for celebration." -- Kirkus , starred review ★ "Poignant." -- Publishers Weekly , starred review ★ "Powerful." -- The Horn Book , starred review "Affecting." -- Booklist "Emotionally satisfying...[A] page-turner." -- BCCB "Exquisitely written...Heart-lifting." -- SLJ "Astounding...This book is remarkable." --Karen Cushman, author The Midwife's Apprentice "Beautifully told." --Patricia MacLachlan, author of Sarah, Plain and Tall "I read this novel in two big gulps." --Gary D. Schmidt, author of Okay for Now "I love Ada's bold heart...Her story's riveting." --Sheila Turnage, author of Three Times Lucky
Publishers Weekly,Bradley (Jefferson's Sons) examines WWII through the eyes of a disabled child eager to escape her life of neglect and abuse. With the threat of German bombs being dropped on London, most parents are anxious to get their children out of the city. But Ada's mother, shamed by her daughter's deformed foot, doesn't seem to care. Ada takes it upon herself to board an evacuee train with her younger brother and, without their Mam's knowledge, they arrive in a country village with a crowd of students. Malnourished and filthy, the siblings are placed with Miss Smith, a woman lacking any experience with children, who claims she isn't "nice." Nonetheless, she offers Ada and Jamie food, clothing, and security, and she owns a pony that Ada is determined to learn to ride. In this poignant story, Bradley celebrates Ada's discovery of the world outside her dismal flat, movingly tracing her growing trust of strangers and her growing affection for Miss Smith. Proving that her courage and compassion carry far more power than her disability, Ada earns self-respect, emerges a hero, and learns the meaning of home. Ages 9-12. Agent: Ginger Knowlton, Curtis Brown. (Jan.) ��� Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
