Friday Memes - The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Book Beginnings is hosted by Rose City Reader and Friday 56 is hosted by Freda's Voice.

The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley. 303 p.? (bound manuscript) Dial, January 8, 2015. 9780803740815.

Publisher synopsis: An exceptionally moving story of triumph against all odds set during World War 2, from the acclaimed author of Jefferson’s Sons and for fans of Number the Stars.

 
Nine-year-old Ada has never left her one-room apartment. Her mother is too humiliated by Ada’s twisted foot to let her outside. So when her little brother Jamie is shipped out of London to escape the war, Ada doesn’t waste a minute—she sneaks out to join him.
 
So begins a new adventure of Ada, and for Susan Smith, the woman who is forced to take the two kids in. As Ada teaches herself to ride a pony, learns to read, and watches for German spies, she begins to trust Susan—and Susan begins to love Ada and Jamie. But in the end, will their bond be enough to hold them together through wartime? Or will Ada and her brother fall back into the cruel hands of their mother?
 
This masterful work of historical fiction is equal parts adventure and a moving tale of family and identity—a classic in the making.

First Line: "Ada! Get back from that window! Mam's voice, shouting.

Page 56: "I found my crutches and got to my feet. I picked up the broken pieces of plate, and the food scattered across the floor. I wiped up the water I'd spilled when I knocked over my glass. I could hear Jamie screaming upstairs. Miss Smith was either bathing him or slaughtering him; either was fine with me."

I have already read this actually, but since I'm reviewing it for School Library Journal, I won't be posting a review here. I will say that I was immediately drawn in by Ada's voice and her story and that The War That Saved My Life is a favorite. Dilemma - 2014 favorite or 2015 favorite?