Step into wartime Britain in this five-day History + ELA camp built around The War That Saved My Life. Explore Ada’s story alongside WWII and the Blitz in five engaging 45-minute discussions led by historian Nelson Dean.
This five-day camp blends historical context and literary analysis in a thoughtful, discussion-based format designed for engaged middle grade readers.
Students should arrive on the first day having fully read The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley. Our first class will focus entirely on the novel itself — character development, theme, resilience, trauma, found family, and the craft choices that make Ada’s story so powerful.
On day two, we zoom out to examine the real historical context behind the book: World War II, with special focus on The Blitz. Students will explore evacuation, rationing, disability during wartime, and what daily life looked like for British children sent to the countryside.
The final three days bring literature and history together. Students will analyze how accurately the novel reflects its historical moment, discuss how fiction helps us emotionally understand history, and explore the relationship between personal story and global conflict. We’ll examine where the book stays closely aligned with history — and where artistic choices deepen the narrative impact.
This is a camp-style class: five forty-five minute meetings held in a single week. The structure allows for sustained, layered conversation rather than surface-level discussion.
The class is led by historian and educator Nelson Dean, who specializes in making complex historical events accessible, nuanced, and deeply human. Expect thoughtful discussion, careful historical framing, and a classroom environment where questions are welcome and critical thinking is encouraged.
Because this is a discussion-based seminar, students must complete the novel before the first meeting in order to fully participate.
This camp is ideal for readers who love historical fiction, enjoy meaningful conversation, and want to understand not just what happened in history — but how stories help us make sense of it.
Students should come to class the first day having completed the book. No additional knowledge of WWII or the Blitz ahead of time is required!
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