by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Britain is on the edge of joining World War II and after threats by the Germans the government decides that children living in London must be evacuated to the countryside. Ada lives in London in a one room apartment with her mom and younger brother. Born with a club foot that was never fixed, Ada is hidden away from the rest of the world and ostracized by her mother. When hearing of the evacuation notice, her mother decides Ada will stay while her brother Jamie is sent away. Against her mother’s wishes, Ada joins Jamie on the day of evacuation and both arrive in the town of Kent. They are placed in the care of Miss Smith who is reluctant to take on the children. Gradually, Ada and Jamie settle into their new temporary home and Ada forms a strong bond with Miss Smith’s pony Butter, teaching herself to ride the pony the best she can. Miss Smith shows confidence in Ada and Jamie; her home a completely different environment where both children are allowed to flourish. Their new formed family doesn’t last long as Ada’s mother arrives in Kent and forces her children to return home to London with her. Bombs are still dropping on the streets of London and the situation is precarious. Suddenly thrust back into the same conditions she endured before, Ada is determined to rescue her brother and herself for good this time.