The War that Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

“She simply hasn’t been taught,” Miss Smith said. “She’s far from stupid.
She deserves a chance.”
The teacher shook her head. “It wouldn’t be fair to the others.”
The door clicked softly as she left. Miss Smith grabbed my shoulders with
both hands. “Don’t cry,” she said. “Don’t cry, she isn’t right, I know you can
learn. Don’t cry.”
Why would I cry? I never cried. But when I shook myself free of Miss
Smith’s grasp, tears shook loose from my eyes and slid down my cheeks.
Why would I cry? I wanted to hit something, or throw something, or scream. I
wanted to gallop on Butter and never stop. I wanted to run, but I couldn’t run,
not with my twisted, ugly, horrible foot. I buried my head in one of the fancy
pillows on the sofa, and then I couldn’t help it, I did cry.
I was so tired of being alone.
Miss Smith sat down on the sofa beside me. She put her hand on my back.
I squirmed away. “Don’t worry,” she said, almost like she cared about me.
“They’re wrong. We’ll find another way.
“I know you aren’t stupid,” she continued. “Stupid people couldn’t take
care of their brother the way you do. Stupid people aren’t half as brave as
you. They’re not half as strong.”
Stupid. Simple. Educable. Thoughtful. All just words. I was so tired of
meaningless words.
That night, after our baths, Miss Smith came to the doorway of our bedroom
before we fell asleep. She hesitated. “I’ve brought something,” she said. “This
was my favorite book when I was a little girl. My father used to read it to me
at bedtime. I thought I’d start reading it to you.”
I turned my head away. More words. Jamie asked, “Why, miss?”
“I wish you’d quit calling me miss,” she said, pulling the chair close to
Jamie’s side of the bed. “My name is Susan. You should call me that. I’m
reading to you because I think you’ll enjoy it.”
Jamie said, “Why would we enjoy it?”
Miss Smith didn’t answer. She said, “This book is called The Swiss Family
Robinson. Listen.” She cleared her throat and began. “‘For many days we had
been tempest-tossed. Six times darkness closed over a wild and terrific
scene…’”
I buried my head deeper into my pillow. The drone of her voice sounded