Mika Chow: The War That Saved My Life: By Kim Brubaker Bradley Ada is the main character you see holding a horse's reins. Here she is seen riding a horse name Butter, on a hill overlooking the ocean. World War II is going on, and Ada escaped her abusive mom. Ada escapes to Kent, from London, where she finds Susan, a single woman who reluctantly takes her and her brother Jamie in. Finding her place, her voice, and her courage is the largest challenge.