* Newbery Honor Book * Forbes 25 Top Historical Fiction Books Of All Time selection * #1 New York Times Bestseller * Winner of the Schneider Family Book Award * Wall Street Journal Best Children's Books of the Year selection * New York Public Library's 100 Books for Reading and Sharing selection * A Kirkus Reviews Best Middle Grade Book of the Century An exceptionally moving story of triumph against all odds set during World War II, from the acclaimed author of Fighting Words , and for fans of Fish in a Tree and Number the Stars . Ten-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 for 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. "Achingly lovely...Nuanced and emotionally acute." — The Wall Street Journal "Unforgettable...unflinching." —Common Sense Media "Touching...Emotionally charged." — Forbes ★ “Brisk and honest...Cause for celebration.” — Kirkus , starred review ★ "Poignant." — Publishers Weekly , starred review ★ "Powerful." — The Horn Book , starred review "Affecting." — Booklist "Emotionally satisfying...[A] page-turner." — BCCB “Exquisitely written...Heart-lifting.” — SLJ "Astounding...This book is remarkable." —Karen Cushman, author The Midwife's Apprentice "Beautifully told." —Patricia MacLachlan, author of Sarah, Plain and Tall "I read this novel in two big gulps." —Gary D. Schmidt, author of Okay for Now "I love Ada's bold heart...Her story's riveting." —Sheila Turnage, author of Three Times Lucky Gr 4–6—Bradley turns her keen historical eye from Monticello (Jefferson's Sons, Penguin, 2011) to the British home front during World War II. Ada isn't exactly sure how old she is; for as long as she can remember, she's been a virtual prisoner in her mother's third floor one-room apartment. She was born with a clubfoot and her mother uses her disability as an excuse to abuse her both emotionally and physically. Ada watches the world through the narrow confines of the apartment window, waves to neighbors in the street, and carefully gauges the danger of being beaten during each encounter with her hateful mother. She envies the freedom of her little brother, Jamie, who goes to school and generally roves the neighborhood at will. When her mother prepares to ship Jamie out to the countryside with other children being evacuated from London, Ada sneaks out with him. When the two fail to be chosen by any villagers, the woman in charge forces Susan Smith, a recluse, to take them in. Though Susan is reluctant and insists that she knows nothing about caring for children, she does so diligently and is baffled by the girl's fearful flinching anytime Ada makes a mistake. Though uneducated, Ada is intensely observant and quick to learn. Readers will ache for her as she misreads cues and pushes Susan away even though she yearns to be enfolded in a hug. There is much to like here-Ada's engaging voice, the vivid setting, the humor, the heartbreak, but most of all the tenacious will to survive exhibited by Ada and the villagers who grow to love and accept her.—Brenda Kahn, Tenakill Middle School, Closter, NJ A Newbery Honor Book Forbes 25 Top Historical Fiction Books Of All Time selection Winner of the Schneider Family Book Award (Middle School) Winner of the Josette Frank Award Winner of the Sunshine State Young Readers Award SLJ 's 25 of the Most Influential Children's Books of the Last 25 Years selection Wall Street Journal Best Children's Books of the Year selection New York Public Library's 100 Books for Reading and Sharing selection Chicago Public Library's Best of the Best Books of the Year selection Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year selection Kirkus Best Books of the Year selection Horn Book Fanfare Book of the Year selection "Achingly lovely . . . Nuanced and emotionally acute, this vivid tale from the wartime home front will have readers ages 10-14 wincing at Ada's stumbles and rejoicing to the point of tears in her victories." — The Wall Street Journal ★ “Ada's voice is brisk and honest; her dawning realizations are made all the more poignant for their simplicity. . . . Things come to an explosive head, metaphorically and literally. Ignorance and abuse are brought to light, as are the healing powers of care, respect and love. S