The War That Saved My Life
Storyboard Text
- If I learn to walk I will impress Mam.
- Ada (10 years old), the main character, has a condition called clubfoot. Her abusive mother, who Ada calls "Mam," is disappointed with her daughter because of her condition. Because her brother is starting school soon (meaning Ada will be all alone), and since her mother is disappointed in her, Ada decides it's time for her to learn to walk (summer of 1939). In this scene we see Ada attempting to walk, she is also thinking about how it will impress her mother.
- I don't trust her...
- England starts evacuating children. Ada secretly evacuates with her younger brother Jamie (6 years old), even though her mother tells her not to. Together, they hop on a train, when they get off they are in Kent, England and they meet their caretaker-Susan Smith (who is forced to take them in)In this image Ada and Jamie are seeing their new caretaker for the first time (September 1939).
- We are running low on food supplies...
- Food is being rationed, so Susan Smith is running low on food supplies. Ada and Jamie were just getting used to eating regular meals because when they lived with their mother they were underfed and malnourished (January 1940).The scene depicts how worried Ada is when food is being rationed.
- Oh no!
- Ma'am, would you like a newspaper? The paper might have some information on the possibly upcoming war.
- A war?!
- During the summer of 1939, England was on the verge of entering a war (World War 2). Many people were worried at this time. In this image civilians being fearful because a war might be arriving.
- During the September of 1939, children from all across England were evacuated after war was declared on September 1st. This scene shows a police officer escorting children onto a train where they will be taken somewhere safe.
- Sorry, we are closed due to lack of supplies.
- In January 1940, food had to be rationed, meaning there was less food for everyone. This image shows a store owner claiming he has run out of supplies due to rationing.
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