A New York Times bestseller
A Washington Post Best Book of the Year
A Boston Globe Best Book of the Year
A Kirkus Best Book of the Year
A Horn Book Fanfare Best Book of the Year
A Southern Living Best Book of the Year
A BookPage Best Book of the Year
An Indie Next List selection
A CCBC Choices book "Stunning . . . By turns tough and tender, this novel leavens complex themes with moments of wonder and joy." –
The Washington Post "Rarely is a children's book so honest [and] daring. But there is comfort too, in Ada's desire to love and grow. . . . The power of this book is that it describes, slowly and sometimes painfully, that it is possible not just to live through pain, but to live with it." –
The New York Times ★ "Thoughtful, brave, true, and wise beyond her years, Ada is for the ages–as is this book. Wonderful." –
Kirkus, starred review
"It's rare when a sequel is just as beautifully written and just as touching (maybe even more so) than the first book. . . . Bradley writes the story in such a way that the reader is by turns both touched and then, pages later, heartbroken. Over and over." –HuffPost
★ "Fans of the first book will love the sequel even more; truly a first purchase. While it stands alone, encourage readers to read both books to fully appreciate Ada's remarkable and wholly believable triumph." –
School Library Journal, starred review
"Harrowing and heartening." –
San Francisco Chronicle
★ "Bradley sweeps us up in the story she's telling and at the same time raises hard questions and makes us think–even as she moves us to tears." –
The Horn Book, starred review
★ "A perceptive look into othering . . . Bradley sensitively portrays Ada's journey to accept selfless kindness and love after years of neglect in a poignant and satisfying story of found family that will stay with readers." –
Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Ada . . . is one of the most unforgettable characters in modern children's literature." –
The Washington Post "In a hard times, complicated people do the best they can. That's what we see in this bittersweet moving story . . . (Be prepared for both tears and smiles with this one!)" –ImaginationSoup
"Ada's story is a winning combination of history and healing, and fans may hope that Bradley isn't quite finished with her just yet." –
Booklist