The War that Saved my Life - Discussion Questions

                                               

1. Who is Ada? Why is Mam ashamed of her?  Why do you think Mam "wanted Ada to be a cripple?"

 
2.      What does Ada do when she is at home alone? Why doesn’t she share her secret with anyone?
 
3.      How do Ada and Jamie get out of London in the beginning of the story?
 
4.      Why are Ada and Jamie “the only ones not chosen” ? Why do they end up at Susan’s?
 
5.      When talking about Susan, Ada said, “She doesn’t like us. She didn’t want us, remember?”  Does Susan like the kids? Why or why not?
 
6.      Susan treats Ada with understanding and compassion? How does Ada respond to this kindness? Why?
 
7.      What do you know of Susan? Tell the untold story of Susan’s life as you imagine it might be.
 
8.      Ada stated, “I knew Susan wasn’t real. Or, if she was a tiny bit real, sometimes, at the very best she was only temporary” (p. 202). Later, on page 216 Ada said, “Susan was temporary. My foot was permanent.” Is Susan temporary for Ada? Why or why not?
 
9.      What does Jamie's teacher think about his 'lefty'?
 
10.   Is Ada capable of learning? Why is she afraid of learning at the beginning of the story?   
 
11.  On page 206 Ada said, “Somehow Christmas was making me feel jumpy inside. All this talk about being together and being happy and celebrating—it felt threatening. Like I shouldn’t be part of it. Like I wasn’t allowed. And Susan wanted me to be happy, which was scarier still.” Why is Ada feeling jumpy, threatened, and scared?
 
12.  When the police officer doesn’t believe Ada’s story about seeing a spy, what does she do and say to convince him?
 
13.  Why did their Mam come to take them back to the city?
 
14.  How does the way Mam treat Ada differ from the way Susan treats Ada?
 
15.  Why do you think Kimberly Brubaker Bradley decided to title the book The War That Saved My Life?
 
16.  In what ways did Susan save Ada’s and Jamie’s lives? How did Ada and Jamie save Susan’s life?
 
17.  What are your favorite details of the story?
 
18.  Do you like the ending? If you were the author, would you change the ending of the story?

Everything I Never Told You

1  Discuss the relationships between Nath, Lydia, and Hannah. How do the siblings both understand and mystify one another?

2.     Why do you think Lydia is the favorite child of James and Marilyn? How does this pressure affect Lydia, and what kind of impact do you think it has on Nath and Hannah?

3.     Do you think it is more difficult for Lydia to be the favorite, or for Nath and Hannah, who are often overlooked by their parents?

4.     Why does James give Lydia self-help books about making friends and getting people to like you for Christmas?

5.     What does Lydia do to stop Nath from going to Harvard? Why? Do you know anyone who would do the same to his or her sibling?

6.     Discuss the relationship Marilyn and her mother have to cook and their roles as stay-at-home mothers. Do you think one is happier or more satisfied?

7.     What is the meaning of the novel’s title? To whom do the “I” and “you” refer?

8. What do you think of Jack and Louise’s affair?  Why does Marilyn go to Louisa's apartment to find James instead of calling like she initially planned on doing?

9.  Why does Jack reject Lydia's advances?

10.  What would have happened if Lydia had reached the dock? Do you think she would have been able to change her parents’ views and expectations of her?

11.   This novel says a great deal about the influence our parents can have on us. Do you think the same issues will affect the next generation of Lees? How did your parents influence your childhood?

12.   There’s so much that the characters keep to themselves. What do you wish they had shared with one another? Do you think an ability to better express themselves would have changed the outcome of the book?