Kimberly Brubaker Bradley facts for kids

Kimberly Brubaker Bradley (born June 24, 1967) is an American author. She writes books for children and young adults. In 2016, her book The War That Saved My Life won the Newbery Honor Award. It was also named a "Best Book of the Year" by the Bank Street Children's Book Committee. This book also won the Josette Frank Award for fiction.

About Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Kimberly Brubaker Bradley went to Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. She earned a degree in chemistry in 1989. She always found chemistry interesting. However, a friend convinced her to take a class on children's literature. She immediately loved it. Her teacher, Patricia MacLachlan, was a Newbery medalist. She encouraged Kimberly to keep writing. She also helped her learn more about writing for kids.

Early Writing

During college, Kimberly started writing for horse magazines. Her knowledge of horses helped her write some children's books. One example is The War That Saved My Life. After college, she married Bart Bradley. While he was in medical school, she worked as a research chemist. She also continued to write part-time for horse magazines. She wrote creatively whenever she could.

Her Books and Career

Kimberly Brubaker Bradley's first book, Ruthie's Gift, came out in 1998. Since then, she has published 17 books. These books are for children and young adults. She has won many awards and honors for her stories.

Ruthie's Gift

This was Bradley's first novel. It takes place in a small Indiana farming town. The story begins at the start of World War I. It follows Ruthie, an 8-year-old girl. Ruthie is a tomboy. She tries to understand herself better during a big year in her life. This is the year her sixth brother is born. It is also the year she makes her first friends. She almost dies from pneumonia. The war also affects her family.

Jefferson's Sons: A Founding Father's Secret Children

Bradley's 2011 book, Jefferson's Sons: A Founding Father's Secret Children, received many great reviews. The story is told by three young boys. Two of them were the children of Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings. Sally Hemings was an enslaved person. Jefferson's children received special treatment from him. However, they were still enslaved. They could not tell anyone who their father was. Some children had a chance to live as free people. Other children, who looked more like their mother, did not. As each child grew up, the difference between freedom and slavery became very clear.

The War That Saved My Life

This book is for middle school readers. The War That Saved My Life tells the story of 10-year-old Ada and her little brother Jamie. They are in London during World War II. Jamie is sent out of London to escape the bombings. Ada secretly goes with him to get away from their cruel mother. Ada had never left her small flat before. Her mother was ashamed of Ada's clubbed foot.

Ada, Jamie, and Susan Smith, their caretaker in the countryside, start a new adventure. Ada learns to ride a pony named Butter. She also finds a friend named Maggie. Ada overcomes her feelings of not being good enough. She gains the courage to fight her own challenges. She also finds the love of a mother figure. People have said this story shows how a big event like a world war can be understood through human experiences.

The War I Finally Won

This book is a follow-up to The War That Saved My Life. It continues Ada and Jamie's story in the English countryside during World War II. Their mother dies in London. They are now safe with Susan Smith. Jamie is adjusting well to being safe. But Ada still struggles. In this story, Ada becomes close with the Thorntons. The war continues, and things keep changing for them.

Awards and Honors

• 1998 Publisher's Week “Flying Start” Award for Ruthie's Gift
• 2011 Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Books of 2011 for Jefferson's Sons: A Founding Father's Secret Children
• 2012 Bank Street Children's Book Committee's Best Books of the Year with "Outstanding Merit" for Jefferson's Sons: A Founding Father's Secret Children
• 2012 ALA Notable Children's Book for Jefferson's Sons: A Founding Father's Secret Children
• 2012 NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People for Jefferson's Sons: A Founding Father's Secret Children
• 2016 Newbery Honor for The War That Saved My Life
• 2016 Josette Frank Award Winner and Bank Street Children's Book Committee's Best Books of the Year with "Outstanding Merit" for The War That Saved My Life
• 2016 Schneider Family Book Award for The War That Saved My Life
• 2016 #1 New York Times bestseller for The War That Saved My Life
• 2018 Bank Street Children's Book Committee's Best Books of the Year with "Outstanding Merit" for The War I Finally Won
• 2020 Kirkus Prize Finalist for Fighting Words
• 2021 Newbery Honor for Fighting Words
• 2021 Bank Street Children's Book Committee's Best Books of the Year with "Outstanding Merit" for Fighting Words

Personal Life

Kimberly Brubaker Bradley lives in Bristol, Tennessee.