THE WAR THAT SAVED MY LIFE by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Historical Fiction, World War II, Disabilities, Courage, Family, Friendship, Horses

2015, 316 pages

Newbery Honor and many starred reviews

Horn Book Guide starred (Fall 2015)

Ten-year-old Ada, abused by her cruel, ignorant mam due to an unrepaired clubfoot, has never been outside her squalid London flat. With WWII imminent, her brother, Jamie, is evacuated to the countryside, and Ada determines to go with him. The emotional content feels completely true, especially in recognition of how far Ada's journey will be to both physical and mental health.

This is an absolute winner. It has a great story line and gives a vivid portrayal of a child's perspective of the war in England. Readers will be inspired by Ada's courage and the people who help her. Love this book! I give it 5 stars!

COUNTING BY 7'S by Holly Goldberg Sloan

Realistic Fiction, Geniuses, Eccentricities, Family, Friendship, Loss

378 pages; 2014

Horn Book Guide starred (Spring 2014)

After her parents' death, twelve-year-old Willow Chance, a genius obsessed with plants and medical conditions, is taken in by her only friend, high schooler Mai Nguyen, Mai's mother Pattie, and Mai's surly brother, Quang-ha. What sets this novel apart from the average orphan-finds-a-home book is its lack of sentimentality, its truly multicultural cast, and its precise, poignant tone.

Love, love this book! Sloan, author of Apple Blossom Possum (a very different type of book), is a top notch author. Counting by 7's would be a great book club or class discussion.