Recently I read two of Bean's recommendations -- "The War That Saved My Life" and it's sequel "The War I Finally Won" by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley.
In the first book, "The War That Saved My Life", we meet Ada, Jamie and Mam. They live in London's East End in a tenement slum. Ada, born with a club foot, is older sister to Jamie and their mother, Mam, is a cruel, abusive mother. It is set at the beginning of World War II.
When the children were being evacuated from London to the English countryside for their safety, Mam didn't want Jamie to go and she wouldn't even think of Ada going, she was so ashamed of her being a cripple that she locked her in one room all the time and she wouldn't even consider them going.
But....the kids had other ideas.
I don't want to say too much because this is definitely a worthy read -- it flows, it reads well, it is truly a page turner. It is emotional and satisfying all at the same time.
Then, moving on to the sequel - it brings the children and the people in their lives further into the war with some frightening events but you see how they grow and learn how to make do, do without and still learn to love.
I absolutely loved these books. Even though they are written for ages 9-12, I was totally taken in by them and enjoyed them thoroughly and recommend without reservation.
Bean's description -- "these books are amazing!"
