The War That Saved My Life

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. Why is social acceptance important? What factors may cause individuals to feel isolated from others? In what ways might acceptance be tied to self-worth?

Teaching Suggestion: Ada, the protagonist, is born with a clubfoot and wrestles with self-worth as a result of her abusive mother, Mam. Because Mam mistreats her, Ada feels as though she is socially unacceptable and blames herself for her physical disability. Once students have a chance to reflect on their own, they might discuss in small groups the importance of social acceptance and factors that may contribute to social isolation. The resources below may help further introduce these concepts with regard to the protagonist’s physical disability.

• This article explains social acceptance, why it is important, and how it is connected to self-worth.
• This 4-minute TED Talk by Alexander de Silva discusses the importance of social acceptance and considers the potential consequences of rejection. (Content Warning: The speaker references gun violence, including school shootings and suicide.)

Short Activity

Explore Britain’s role in World War II and the causes behind the war, then create an infographic using visual symbols to explain the impact of World War II on the British home front.