Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

This is the real deal. Bradley doesn't write down to kids or sanitize history, but she also doesn't traumatize them unnecessarily. The War I Finally Won earns its place alongside classic middle-grade literature by treating young readers as capable of handling complex emotions and moral questions.

The book's exploration of prejudice—through Ruth's experience as a German Jewish refugee—is particularly relevant. Ada has to wrestle with her own biases even as she's finding her footing in the world. That's sophisticated stuff, handled with nuance.

Yes, it's heavy. Kids will cry. But it's also hopeful in a way that doesn't feel cheap. Ada's healing isn't magical or complete—it's ongoing, realistic, and earned. For families who read the first book, this sequel delivers. For those new to Ada's story, start with The War That Saved My Life first.

The 4.8 Amazon rating and universal starred reviews aren't fluff—this is genuinely excellent historical fiction that will stick with readers long after they finish.

Age Fit

Best for ages 9-14, though mature 8-year-olds who loved the first book can handle it with parent support. The emotional complexity and historical themes will resonate most with middle schoolers who can grasp prejudice, trauma recovery, and moral ambiguity. Adults appreciate it too—this isn't just 'a kids' book.'

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

88

Bradley delivers a deeply emotional story about healing from abuse, finding family, and learning to trust. Ada's journey from a traumatized child to someone capable of love and connection is handled with care and authenticity. The book models kindness, shows the complexity of trauma recovery, and portrays healthy relationships forming despite war and hardship. It doesn't shy away from difficult emotions but handles them age-appropriately.

Imaginative

82

While grounded in historical realism rather than fantasy, the book invites readers into WWII England with vivid sensory details and Ada's evolving perspective. The emotional imagination required to understand Ada's internal transformation—from someone who believed she was worthless to someone who can choose her own identity—is substantial. Bradley's prose makes readers see the world through Ada's unique lens, though this is more character-driven than plot-inventive.

Safe

75

Common Sense Media rates it 9+ for good reason. The book deals with wartime violence (bombings, death, destruction), past physical and emotional abuse, and the trauma of a Jewish refugee. Multiple characters die or are injured. Ada's mother was abusive, and those memories surface throughout. However, nothing is gratuitously graphic—it's age-appropriate historical fiction that prepares readers for these themes. Parents should know what they're getting into, but it's not surprising content given the WWII setting and the first book's themes.

Enriching

94

This is where the book truly shines. It tackles complex themes: healing from abuse, anti-Semitism, prejudice against Germans during wartime, disability and identity, grief, and what it means to choose who you become. The portrayal of Ruth as a Jewish refugee from Germany adds historical depth. Ada's club foot surgery and her journey to accept herself is powerful. Parent reviews consistently praise the lessons on not judging others by nationality and showing kindness. Multiple starred reviews and comparisons to classic heroines signal its literary merit.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Masterful character work—Ada's journey from abused child to someone who can choose her own identity is beautifully rendered
Tackles prejudice head-on through Ruth, a Jewish refugee from Germany, showing how fear and nationalism can poison communities
Historically grounded WWII setting that doesn't sanitize the war but makes it accessible for middle-grade readers
Models what trauma recovery actually looks like—messy, non-linear, requiring patience and support
Starred reviews from Kirkus, SLJ, Horn Book, and PW; comparisons to classic heroines like Anne of Green Gables aren't hyperbole

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What to Watch For

Wartime violence is present—bombings, deaths of secondary characters, destruction—though not gratuitously graphic
Ada's past abuse surfaces throughout; her mother's cruelty shaped her deeply and those memories are painful
Emotionally heavy themes of grief, trauma, and prejudice mean this isn't light reading—kids need emotional maturity
The pacing is character-driven rather than action-packed; some kids may find it slow if they're expecting adventure

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think people in the village were suspicious of Ruth just because she was German? Have you ever seen people judged for where they're from?"
"Ada struggles with believing she deserves good things. Why is it so hard for her to accept love and kindness?"
"What does 'real freedom' mean in the story? How is it different from just being able to make choices?"
"Lady Thorton seems mean at first. Did your opinion of her change? What makes someone seem 'iron-faced' on the outside but different inside?"
"If you were in Ada's position, would you have trusted Ruth? What would help you decide?"

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