The War That Saved My Life

About this book

Ten-year-old Ada, born with a clubfoot and kept hidden by an abusive mother, escapes 1940 London with her younger brother when children are evacuated to the countryside ahead of the Blitz. Taken in by the reluctant Susan Smith, Ada learns to read, ride a pony, and trust — even as the war closes in. A Newbery Honor book, it is widely assigned in grades 4-7 for its WWII home-front setting and its portrait of resilience and disability.

Why widely assigned

This Historical Fiction (Middle Grade) title, reads at early-reader complexity, typically at grades 4–7. Written in the 2010s; pairs with curriculum units on war and resilience.

Where this book is assigned

No curriculum assignments on file yet.

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Common questions

What grade level is The War That Saved My Life?

The War That Saved My Life is most commonly assigned in US schools in grades 4–7, with a Lexile measure of 580L. Specific grade placement varies by curriculum — AP Literature and IB English Literature typically use it in grades 11-12.

What is the Lexile level of The War That Saved My Life?

The War That Saved My Life has a Lexile measure of 580L according to MetaMetrics. Lexile measures text complexity, not content maturity — check the grade range and content notes separately for age-appropriateness.

How long does it take to read The War That Saved My Life?

It takes about 5h 50m to read The War That Saved My Life (316 pages) at an average adult reading pace of about 250 words per minute — roughly 350 minutes. Faster or slower readers will vary; the estimate is a planning guide for assigning the book.

Is The War That Saved My Life hard to read for 4th grade?

At 580L, The War That Saved My Life reads below the typical 740–1010L text-complexity range for 4th grade (Common Core Appendix A). It is an accessible read for the grade — often assigned for its themes and discussion value rather than for reading challenge. Lexile measures text complexity, not thematic maturity — check the content notes for age-appropriateness separately.

Is The War That Saved My Life banned in schools?

The War That Saved My Life does not appear in PEN America's Index of School Book Bans 2022-2024. No documented multi-district removals on record, but individual districts may challenge titles locally.