Book Breakdown: The War I Finally Won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Kimberly Brubaker Bradley is known primarily for her children's and young adult literature. Her book "The War I Finally Won" (2017) is the sequel to the highly acclaimed "The War That Saved My Life," which won a Newbery Honor in 2016. Bradley's writing style is characterized by deep emotional authenticity and careful attention to historical detail. She excels at creating complex, resilient young protagonists who face significant challenges. Bradley frequently writes about World War II-era settings, focusing on how children experienced and adapted to the period's hardships. Her work often explores themes of disability, family relationships, personal growth, and overcoming trauma. In "The War I Finally Won" and its predecessor, she sensitively portrays a young girl with a clubfoot while addressing issues of abuse, evacuation, and healing.
Background : The Children of Wartime England
World War II dramatically transformed English children's lives through massive evacuation programs like "Operation Pied Piper", which relocated 3.5 million children from dangerous cities to rural areas. While this kept them safe from bombing, it meant years of separation from their families. Children faced various challenges including adaptation to new homes, air raids, rationing, and disrupted education. Those who stayed in cities endured the Blitz, spending nights in shelters and carrying gas masks. Despite these hardships, many children showed remarkable resilience, contributing to the war effort by collecting scrap metal and tending victory gardens.
Breakdown
Part 1. A New Household Forms
As Ada recovers from her clubfoot surgery, the war brings unexpected changes to their household. Lady Thorton's arrival, after the military requisitions her estate, introduces class tensions into their daily life. Ada, still learning to read and write, finds herself navigating proper manners and social expectations. The arrival of Ruth, a Jewish refugee mathematician from Germany, further complicates the dynamics. Ada watches Ruth with suspicion, particularly her interactions with Susan, revealing her deep-seated fears about losing her new-found security. Throughout these changes, Susan maintains her patient approach to Ada's education and emotional healing, while Jamie adapts more easily to their expanding household.
Part 2. The Mathematics Lesson
Ruth tutors Jamie in mathematics, her fingers flying across the paper as she explains complex concepts. Ada watches from the doorway, torn between curiosity and jealousy. When Ruth notices Ada's presence and invites her to join, Ada learns that Ruth lost her entire family to the Nazis. This moment transforms their relationship - Ada realizes that trauma and loss aren't unique to her experience. Lady Thorton, overhearing Ruth's story, begins to see beyond her prejudice against Germans.
Part 3. Loss and Growth
The war's impact becomes more personal as rationing intensifies and losses mount. Ada finds solace in riding Butter and tending to her victory garden, where she learns that growth requires both care and patience. Lady Thorton faces a devastating personal loss that breaks down her rigid exterior, leading to a genuine connection with the children. Ruth's mathematical skills become crucial to the war effort, giving her a sense of purpose and belonging. The shared experience of rationing, air raids, and the daily uncertainties of wartime create bonds that transcend their social differences. Ada's academic progress accelerates as she discovers the joy of reading and writing, though emotional scars still influence her reactions to praise and affection.
Part 4. Confronting the Past
The news of Ada's birth mother's death forces her to confront complicated emotions about her abuse and abandonment. Ruth's own experience of loss and separation helps create an unexpected bridge between them. Susan's steady support guides Ada through this turbulent period, while Lady Thorton reveals a softer side born from her own grief. The household pulls together, demonstrating how their makeshift family has become stronger than blood ties. Ada begins to accept that her past doesn't define her future, though the process is neither quick nor easy. Ruth's presence helps Ada understand that family can be found in unexpected places.
Part 5. A Family Forged by War
The transformation of their household from a collection of displaced people to a true family marks the story's emotional climax. Ada learns to accept love without constantly questioning its permanence, while Ruth finds her place in a country that once seemed foreign. Lady Thorton's evolution from a class-conscious aristocrat to a loving family member reflects the war's power to reshape social boundaries. Jamie thrives in their unconventional family, while Susan's role as guardian becomes legally and emotionally permanent. The victory garden becomes a symbol of their growth together, producing food for their table and hope for their future. Despite the war's continuing presence, their bonds prove stronger than the bombs falling on England, demonstrating how adversity can create the strongest foundations for love and belonging.
Summing up
"The War I Finally Won" is a compelling historical novel that masterfully weaves personal growth with historical events. Through Ada's story, readers witness the profound impact of World War II on both children and adults in England, from evacuation and rationing to air raids and family separations. The novel provides intimate glimpses into historical programs like Operation Pied Piper, which relocated millions of British children, and the Kindertransport, which saved thousands of Jewish children from Nazi-controlled territories. These historical elements are seamlessly integrated into the narrative, making history accessible and personal. The character development shines as the story progresses. Initial tensions - between classes, nationalities, and personalities - gradually transform into understanding and care. Ada's journey from distrust to acceptance, Lady Thorton's evolution beyond her prejudices, and Ruth's integration into the household demonstrate how war can both divide and unite people. The author's engaging writing style makes complex themes digestible for young readers while maintaining depth. The dynamic setting shifts from countryside horse rides to victory gardens to air raid shelters, keeping readers invested. The diverse cast of characters, each with unique backgrounds and challenges, provides multiple perspectives on wartime experiences, making this both an entertaining and educational read.