The War I Finally Won — Content Guide for Parents
Themes present
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Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
Like the classic heroines of Sarah, Plain and Tall, Little Women, and Anne of Green Gables, Ada is a fighter for the ages. Her triumphant World War II journey continues in this sequel to the Newbery Honor–winning The War that Saved My Life
When Ada awakes from surgery on her club foot, the news that greets her will change the course of her life. Doors that her mother had shut tightly are swinging open—
But World War II rages on. Ada and her brother, Jamie, are forced to move into a cottage with the iron-faced Lady Thorton and her daughter, Maggie. Life in the crowded home is tense. Then Ruth arrives. Ruth, a Jewish girl, from Germany. A German? Could Ruth be a spy?
As the fallout from the war intensifies, calamity creeps closer to Ada’s doorstep, and life grows more complicated. Who will Ada decide to be? How can she keep fighting? And who will she struggle to save?
Ada’s first story, The War that Saved My Life, was a #1 New York Times bestseller and won a Newbery Honor, the Schneider Family Book Award, and the Josette Frank Award, in addition to appearing on multiple best-of-the-year lists. This second masterwork of historical fiction continues Ada's journey of family, faith, and identity, showing us that real freedom is not just the ability to choose, but the courage to make the right choice.
"Honest . . . Daring." —The New York Times
"Stunning." —The Washington Post
★ "Ada is for the ages—as is this book. Wonderful." —Kirkus, starred review
★ "Fans of the first book will love the sequel even more." —SLJ, starred review
★ "Bradley sweeps us up . . . even as she moves us to tears." —The Horn Book, starred review
★ "Perceptive . . . satisfying . . . will stay with readers." —PW, starred review
"Beautiful." —HuffPost
Frequently asked questions
Is The War I Finally Won appropriate for a 7-year-old?
The book addresses themes of abuse and the impact of war, including the psychological effects on children. It portrays the harsh realities of life during wartime, which may include violent imagery or situations, though specific instances of violence are not detailed in the search results. The book contains themes that could be considered scary, particularly related to the experiences of children during wartime and the psychological impact of their past traumas. The narrative may evoke fear related to the war and its consequences.
Does The War I Finally Won have violence?
The book addresses themes of abuse and the impact of war, including the psychological effects on children. It portrays the harsh realities of life during wartime, which may include violent imagery or situations, though specific instances of violence are not detailed in the search results.
Does The War I Finally Won have scary content?
The book contains themes that could be considered scary, particularly related to the experiences of children during wartime and the psychological impact of their past traumas. The narrative may evoke fear related to the war and its consequences.
Does The War I Finally Won have religious themes?
The narrative includes discussions about faith and the differences between Christianity and Judaism, particularly through the characters Susan (a Christian) and Ruth (a Jew). Ada grapples with understanding these beliefs, indicating a significant exploration of religious themes.
Does The War I Finally Won have racial/cultural content?
While the book features characters from diverse backgrounds, race is not a central theme or plot point. The focus is primarily on the characters' experiences during World War II rather than racial issues.
Does The War I Finally Won have profanity?
The book includes British English profanity, specifically the term 'bloody,' which is noted to be more serious in British culture than in American. This indicates some mild use of profanity.
Does The War I Finally Won have climate change?
There are no references to climate themes or environmental issues in the book. The focus remains on personal and historical narratives related to war.
Does The War I Finally Won have sexual identity?
No explicit sexual content is mentioned in the book. The references to relationships are more about character backgrounds and do not include sexual themes.
Does The War I Finally Won have gender roles?
The book tackles gender stereotypes through its protagonist, Ada, who defies traditional expectations by preferring activities such as dance over more stereotypical boyish pursuits. This suggests a critique of gender norms.
Does The War I Finally Won have lgbtq+ themes?
The book contains references to a character who had been in a same-sex relationship before her partner died, indicating LGBTQ+ themes. Additionally, there are discussions about faith and belief systems that may touch on LGBTQ+ representation.
