The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley 316 pages

Ada and her brother Jamie life in a tiny flat in London with their mother.  It is right before WWII is really getting going, Hitler is threatening Europe, but hasn't invaded yet.  Ada, who is 10, has never stepped foot outside her flat.  Her mother forbids it, saying that Ada is a disgrace because of her club foot.  She is horribly abusive to both children, especially Ada.  When children are evacuated out of London, Ada forces herself to leave the only room she's ever known.  She and Jamie end up with Susan in a smaller village by the sea.  Ada falls in love with the resident pony, Butter and learns that she has much more to offer the world than simply sitting by a window and wishing for better.  This was a heartbreaking book, you kept wanting to tell Ada that she was misunderstanding, that she was not bad or stupid, but the book never cheated.  It was told from Ada's perspective, which added the majority of heartbreak to the story.  I cannot recommend this book highly enough.  I absolutely loved it!  It is a nominee for the Mark Twain Award this year.  I listened to it on audio read by Jayne Entwistle, who did a wonderful job bringing so much warmth and believable voice to all the characters.

The Possibility Dogs by Susannah Charleson 483 pages

Susannah Charleson is passionate about her dogs!  Her previous book, "The Scent of the Missing", was all about Search and Rescue dogs.  This one is about service dogs.  Particularly, rescued dogs who become outstanding service dogs.  Featured in this book is Jake Piper, pictured on the cover.  Jakey was left abandoned in a shed and was nearly starved to death when Susannah came into his life.  This becomes a case of who rescues whom when Susannah experiences more and more OCD episodes and trouble with her failing kidneys.  She delves quite deeply into psych disabilities and the discriminations they face, especially when they try to enter a public place with their service dog.  Their disability is not evident and their dogs are often not welcome. 

Beware when reading this book.  The author's enthusiasm is contagious!