In the Hammock Reading

1.     Bibliography Bradley, Kimberly Brubaker. The War That Saved My Life . London: Puffin Books, 2016. ISBN: 978-0147510488 2.     Plot Summary In The War That Saved My Life, young Ada and her brother Jamie flee from their abusive mother’s clutches. They are taken in by the caring single woman “Miss Smith” or Susan. Ada suffers from an untreated clubfoot and post-traumatic stress disorder from her abusive mother. Her journey is not an easy one; but with the help of caring Susan, she finds her way amidst the backdrop of World War II in England. 3.     Critical Analysis This touching historical novel is a wonderful portrayal of resiliency, overcoming obstacles, and adopting a new family. Bradley certainly doesn’t dilute the tragic and horrific events of World War II, rather they are retold from the perspective of 11 year old Ada. Although a children's book, this novel covers some very intense themes (abuse, P...

1.     Bibliography Cushman, Karen. The Midwife's Apprentice . New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers, 1996. ISBN: 978-0547722177 2.     Plot Summary One day, young Brat (who renames herself Alyce) is found by the town’s midwife laying in a dung heap. After some persuasion, Alyce convinces the midwife to take her on as her apprentice. Alyce learns and grows under the harsh midwife's tutelage in 1400s medieval Europe. Will Alyce have what it takes to make it as a midwife someday? 3.     Critical Analysis This delightful story unfo lds for the reader in short vignettes. The research and care of the author are evident as she explains what midwifery was like during the middle ages in Europe. The reader certainly gains the perspective of the townspeople and life back then through the author’s clever writing. Superstition and prejudice of class are clearly evident through the short vignettes of the story. At the beginnin...

1.     Bibliography Schlitz, Laura Amy. The Hired Girl . London: Walker, 2015. ISBN: 978-0763694500 2.     Plot Summary In this novel, Joan (she later changes her name to Janet) runs away from her brothers and her verbally abusive father and flees to early 1900s Baltimore Maryland. While sitting on a bench in the overwhelming city, a kind young Jewish man finds her and invites her to his family’s home to stay. After some convincing of Mrs. Rosenback (the lady of the house), Joan proves herself a hard and capable worker, and she is able to stay and work as a hired girl in the wealthy Jewish family’s home.   3.     Critical Analysis Schlitz does a phenomenal job of recreating life, customs, and the line of thinking during the early 1900s. This historical novel, written as journal entries of the main heroine Joan, brings to life multiple examples of religious acceptance and diversity. The reader gets a single person po...