What I appreciated most about this novel was the brilliant way it captured how people (especially children) respond to trauma. Bradley's characters respond in irrational and counterproductive ways, but you completely understand why they do it and where they are coming from. I also really appreciated the perfect balance between ugliness and hope.

I’m so glad this book was recommended to me. It’s historical fiction and really paints the picture of children who were evacuated in England in WWII.

Ada is 10 and has never been out of her one room apartment in London. She’s never been to school nor played with friends and is mistreated by her mother because Ada is “crippled” and to be kept away from everyone. She has a club foot and has to slide around the floor. Her mother treats her like dirt. Ada cares for her little brother Jamie who is 6. Jamie gets to go to school and learns that the school children are all going to be evacuated. Ada forces herself to learn to walk and with her brother, escapes from her mother and gets on the train with the other children. They arrive in Kent and are the last children picked by the local people. In fact, the lady in charge has to take them and practically force Susan Smith to take the children.

Their lives change dramatically and they find they know little about the world they live in. Ada has the most to learn because she can’t even read or write. Susan never wanted children and doesn’t know how to care for them. However, she learns and keeps trying and gives them more than a safe place to live.

Ada struggles to feel worthy of any kindness and has anxiety issues because of the abuse from her mother. She is afraid to hope for a better life. Her struggles are hard and depicted so the reader really feels for Ada and wants her to give hoe and Susan a chance The pony, Butter, is her lifeline and a way to meet others.

The characters are genuine and interesting and the challenges real and not glossed over. The war comes closer and closer to their village and over the months and all they go through, the three become close.

Well written! ( )

So emotionally resonant and inspiring. Ada is an unforgettable character. ( )

Um livro mais ou menos. Os personagens são pouco trabalhados. Com excessão da Ada, os demais personagens são extremamente superficiais, como se não fizesse diferença alguma se eles vivessem ou morressem.
O começo do livro é realmente muito bom, mas é só isso. Do meio pro final a história desanda, se torna enfadonha, como se a autora não soubesse pra onde estava indo ou como iria terminar.
A narrativa é um pouco confusa, às vezes parece que é realmente uma criança que está narrando os acontecimentos, outras vezes mais parece um adolescente ou adulto.
Enfim, é um bom livro se você não liga pra personagens superficiais, narrativas confusas e finais clichês. ( )