“You can know things all you like, and someday you might believe them.”― Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, The War I Finally Won
This is the sequel to Kimberly Brubaker Bradley’s The War that Saved My Life and the story picks up after Ada has surgery on her club foot. Suddenly, so many things in her life that were impossible are now possible. The war continues to rage and after their community is bombed, Susan, Ada, and Jamie move in with Lady Thornton and her daughter, Maggie. Things are already tense in the house when Ruth, a young woman from Germany arrives to live with them as well. Ada, in particular, worries that Ruth is a spy and does not treat her very kindly. Ada also begins struggling with panic attacks and she must decide who she will be and who she will save.
As with the first book, Bradley handles difficult topics with realism, empathy, and care. It is a beautiful story and Ada is a heroine for the ages.
Content Advisory: Death, panic attacks, reference to suicide