Book Review: The War I Finally Won

"The War I Finally Won" by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley is a fantastic sequel to "The War That Saved My Life."

Once again, Ada endears herself to the reader with her vulnerability. World War II continues to rage and the aftermath is horrendous. Homes are lost, friends are lost, comforts are lost, lives are lost. Even hope is lost. 

But new friends come, in the form of Ruth, a Jewish German. No one is welcoming or accepting of her at first but soon a sweet friendship grows as well as a new understanding.

I love how this book introduces complex situations and emotions to young children, challenging them to explore and consider situations they may never be in themselves. Things like learning to accept someone different than you. Challenges of living without normal necessary comforts. Loss and death. Loneliness. Emotional and mental frailty. It is through reading books like this that children learn empathy for people and situations that foreign, scary and untouchable.

Another strong part of this book is the historical aspect. I love viewing the war from this perspective. I don't think it is one that is used very often, especially from a child's point of view. 

A couple of my favorite parts are:

example #1:
(Ada is at the top of the church in the middle of the night with Susan looking for fires)
"...I don't believe you're in danger up here, not any more than anywhere else. Think about it. You don't have to feel safe to actually be safe.'
I supposed. I'd never felt safe, so how would I know?"
I love that concept - You don't have to feel safe to actually be safe. That is something that Ada struggles with from the first novel and throughout this one. It demonstrates the power of the story we tell ourselves, what we allow ourselves to believe. Sometimes we are safe, or worthwhile, or beautiful, or whatever else, even though we don't see or believe it. 

example #2:
Mrs. Thornton has the most difficult time accepting Ruth. But in the end, she learns to look at the individual and open herself to understanding.
"I knew about the part of the world I grew up in,' Lady Thorton said, looking directly at me. 'You knew about the part you grew up in. Now we both know more."

This is one of the most valuable lessons of the whole book and why I think young people should read it

Why write?

I enjoy writing. I really do. 

But sometimes I get burned out. 

I lose inspiration

and direction

and confidence.

Getting started again is the hardest!

But I've had some stones in my shoe, 

spurs in my boot, 

kicks in the rear.

For starters, I've decided to create a special writing space for myself. 

Here is what it currently looks like:

Its going to take a litte lot of work. :)

But look at all those books!

HEAVEN!

Another motivation is this cute poster my daughter and her friend put together for me. 

"For the MOTHER" 

(hahaha!)

I just love that they recap the writing process for me and then tell me "Mom your AWESOME Believe in YOURSELF!!!!!"

I needed to hear that. Thank you!

Motivation #3:

Bryce wrote this awesome story in class. 

"Jack was in his bed. The doll had blue and red cracks all over. A bucket of blood and it was from people. The dolls eyes turned blood red. the doll started running at Jack. He raced out of his room. He saw blood eyes, red and blue..." (I took a little editorial privilege)

Ok, so maybe weaving a tale runs in the family and maybe someone wants to hear it. 

And that brings me to my final motivation - 
hoping that people want to hear what I write.

Whether its fiction or nonfiction, I write because I want to tell a story, but I also write because I want to be heard. 

I love the song "You Matter To Me" from the broadway show "Waitress." 

"Its addictive the minute you let yourself think,
the things that I say just might matter to someone."

So, its time to get serious about writing again. I need to clear thoughts and experiences from my mind so I can make sense of them, grow from them and be heard. I also need to finished a couple of middle-grade stories for my children before they aren't children anymore. 

Book Review: Peace Like a River

Peace Like a River, by Leif Enger, is one of the most beautiful books written. It is very poetic and a little slow to begin and for some in my book club, it was hard to get into. But for me, its like swimming in a beautiful ocean of words. 

If you give yourself a little time to immerse into the story, you will fall in love with 11-year-old Reuben and his family. Beginning with severe bullying and a drastic reaction by taking things into their own hands, the family is propelled into a cross-country trip to save their family. 

One of the best parts of this book for me, besides the beautiful writing, was the religious undercurrent throughout the entire novel. I just loved it. Miracles and prophets and the drive to do the right. Also, the character development and family development were so deep and meaningful. The relationships between Reuben and his sister and brother. And the role of his father as the bedrock of the family. Heart-breaking at times but always real and honest. 

Also, the setting is almost a character in and of itself. From the long stretches of road, to the snow, to the fiery crevasse. And the characters that come on scene to help and to hinder are drawn with distinct characterization. 

This is a wonderful book for young adult/adult. If you find it hard to get into, don't give up. It is worth reading!