World War II

Radar and the Raft by Jeff Lantos

Radar and the Raft traces the invention of Radar through the harrowing story of a missionary family torpedoed and rescued during World War II. Radar ...
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Uprising by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Uprising is the story of a Polish girl’s experience of World War II, based on the experiences of a real-life teenage resistance fighter. Uprising by ...
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Tree. Table. Book. by Lois Lowry

Newbery author Lois Lowry poignantly depicts a cross-generational friendship in Tree. Table. Book. Tree. Table. Book. by Lois Lowry. Clarion (HarperCollins), 2024, 194 pages. Reading ...
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Hidden Hope by Elisa Boxer

Hidden Hope tells of a brave young lady who smuggled papers in a child's toy to save lives during World War II. Hidden Hope: How ...
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Hidden: A Child’s Story of the Holocaust by Loic Dauvillier

Hidden: A Child’s Story of the Holocaust is a suitable introduction for grades 2-4 to this terrible chapter in history. Hidden: A Child’s Story of ...
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The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne

Bruno is a 9yo German boy living during World War II who isn't happy with his father's new work assignment until he makes a friend ...
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Music for the End of Time by Jen Bryant

Music for the End of time is a picture book biography, a story of hope found through creating beauty in the midst of affliction. Music ...
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diary of anne frank

Which Version of The Diary of Anne Frank Is Best?

A lengthy post in which Betsy seeks to answer some of the many questions she and the RR team have received over the past several ...
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Gertie: The Darling Duck of WWII by Shari Swanson

A sweet story about a mother duck whose unusual nesting spot provided a welcome diversion from from the war, both in local news and beyond. ...
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Abandon Ship by Michael J. Tougias

Abandon Ship! tells the little-known story of a World War II sea disaster with a surprising twist. Abandon Ship! The True World War II Story ...
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Agent Most Wanted by Sonia Purnell

Virginia Hall, one of history’s most effective spies, is the subject of this engrossing biography. Agent Most Wanted: The Never-before-Told Story of the Most Dangerous ...
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Rip to the Rescue

Rip to the Rescue is a true-to-life World War II adventure featuring heroic teens and one heroic dog. Rip to the Rescue by Miriam Halahmy. ...
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The Woman Who Split the Atom by Marissa Moss

Brilliant physicist Lise Meitner, overlooked by history, receives her due in this well-written and -illustrated biography. The Woman Who Split the Atom: The Life of ...
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Alias Anna by Susan Hood and Greg Dawson

In free verse, Alias Anna tells the story of surviving the Holocaust in Ukraine by hiding in plain sight. Alias Anna: A True Story of ...
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*The Swallow’s Flight by Hilary McKay

The Swallow’s Flight gracefully unfolds the lives of two English girls and two German boys against the backdrop of World War II.   *The Swallow’s ...
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War and Millie McGonigle by Karen Cushman

Millie McGonigle is an appealing 12-year-old who is struggling to deal with tough things in life, like death and war. War and Millie McGonigle by ...
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*A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus

Young readers will find kindred spirits in A Place to Hang the Moon, a story of three displaced children in wartime Britain. A Place to ...
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Rescue by Jennifer A. Nielsen

In Rescue, a 12-year-old girl joins the French Resistance to free her father from the Nazis. Rescue by Jennifer A. Nielsen. Scholastic, 2021, 379 pages. ...
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Nicky & Vera by Peter Sís

Nicky & Vera, by Caldecott illustrator Peter Sís, celebrates the quiet heroism of Nicholas Winton, who saved 669 Czech children from the Holocaust. Nicky & ...
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Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith

Ida Mae Jones is a true "flygirl" in this engaging historical fiction read for teens that examines issues of race, coming-of-age, and learning to fly. ...
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The Blossom and the Firefly by Sherri L. Smith

The Blossom and the Firefly, Hana and Taro, are brought together by music and war in this emotional historical fiction read for teens. The Blossom ...
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Attacked at Sea by Michael J. Tougias

Attacked at Sea tells the harrowing story of surviving a U-Boat submarine attack in the early days of World War II. Attacked at Sea: A ...
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*Catherine’s War by Julia Billet

An excellent new graphic novel translated into English, Catherine's War tells the story of one Jewish girl’s life in occupied France, often through the lens ...
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Chance: Escape from the Holocaust by Uri Shulevitz

In Chance: Escape from the Holocaust, a Caldecott-winning illustrator recalls his harrowing wartime childhood. Chance: Escape from the Holocaust by Uri Shulevitz. Farrar Strauss Giroux, ...
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On the Horizon by Lois Lowry

On the Horizon recalls two pivotal events of World War II through the eyes of witnesses, victims, and two children who would meet much later. ...
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Lost in the Pacific, 1942: Not a Drop to Drink by Tod Olson

8 men struggle to survive when they're lost at sea in this "drama in real life" story for middle grades. Lost in the Pacific, 1942: ...
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Village of Scoundrels by Margi Preus

Village of Scoundrels fictionalizes a true tale of heroism from World War II. Village of Scoundrels by Margi Preus. Amulet, 2020, 299 pages Reading Level: ...
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*The Rise and Fall of Charles Lindbergh by Candace Fleming

From hero to pariah: the life of Charles Lindbergh is a fascinating study. *The Rise and Fall of Charles Lindbergh by Candace Fleming. Schwartz + ...
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It Rained Warm Bread by Moishe Moskowitz

The recollections of a 13-year-old Holocaust survivor find poetic expression in It Rained Warm Bread. It rained Warm Bread: Moishe Moskowitz’s Story of Hope by ...
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Allies by Alan Gratz

Allies is a fast, riveting read that communicates the urgency, complexity, and drama of D-Day, the turning point of World War II. Allies by Alan ...
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Torpedoed by Deborah Heligman

Torpedoed is a gripping saga of disaster, heartbreak, and heroism on the open sea. Torpedoed: the True Story of the World War II Sinking of ...
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White Bird by R. J. Palacio

In White Bird, a graphic novel, the best-selling author of Wonder traces the holocaust history of a Wonder character's grandmother. White Bird (a Wonder Story) ...
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The Lady Is a Spy by Don Mitchell

This biography of Virginia Hall for young people tells the little-known story of a daring World War II spy. The Lady is a Spy: Virginia ...
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Someday We Will Fly by Rachel DeWoskin

Someday We Will Fly explores a little-known chapter of the Holocaust: the Jewish refuge of Shanghai. Someday We Will Fly by Rachel DeWoskin.  Viking, 2019, ...
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*What the Night Sings by Vesper Stamper

Moving and beautiful, this post-Holocaust novel offers hope after horror. *What the Night Sings by Vesper Stamper.  Knopf, 2018, 249 pages. Reading Level: Teen, ages ...
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Courage in the Face of Evil by Mark Shaw

Vera König must decide if she can trust the enemy in this moving, true Holocaust story of a Christian in Hitler's camps. Courage in the ...
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2019 Newbery Buzz #4: The Faithful Spy

Janie and Megan talk over one of the most impressive books we read this year: The Faithful Spy: Dietrich Bonhoffer and the Plot to Kill ...
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Reading Aloud to Tweens and Teens: A Guest Post about Kate Seredy’s books

Dawn Garrett joins us today to discuss reading Kate Seredy's books aloud to her tweens and teens. For more about Dawn, see her bio below ...
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Heroes of WWII: A Book List for Tweens and Teens

World War II is perennially interesting and not just to history buffs! We've focused on church history the past couple of years during October, first ...
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Resistance by Jennifer A. Nielsen

A teenage girl enlists in the Jewish resistance in Poland during World War II. Resistance by Jennifer A. Nielsen.  Scholastic, 2018, 385 pages. Reading Level: ...
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*The Faithful Spy by John Hendrix

*The Faithful Spy is an outstanding biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer—and one of the best biographies for kids ever. The Faithful Spy: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the ...
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Code Word Courage by Kirby Larson

Code Word Courage highlights the important contribution of the Navajo Code Talkers during WWII as Billie and her dog Bear find comfort back home. Middle ...
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The Orphan Band of Springdale by Anne Nesbet

Three "orphans" find their place in their community through music, forgiveness, and doing the right thing. Ages 10-15 The Orphan Band of Springdale by Anne ...
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Voices of the Second World War

A compendium of recollection from men and women who experienced World War II as children brings the past up close and personal. Voices of the ...
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Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool

Early Auden is Jack's guide to Pi as they voyage to find the giant bear and complete their quest in this thought-provoking, intricate historical novel.  Ages ...
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2018 Newbery Buzz #3: Refugee

Janie and Pamela continue our Newbery discussions with Refugee, a novel that carries political significance as well as literary value.  Ages 12-15. Janie: Alan Gratz ...
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The Pearl Thief by Elizabeth Wein

The Pearl Thief is a prequel to the award-winning Code Name Verity, but it lacks the same sophistication and character development. The Pearl Thief by Elizabeth Wein. ...
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Krysia: a Polish Girl’s Stolen Childhood by Krystyna Mihulka

This memoir of a Polish girl’s experience in a forced-labor camp introduces us to a little-known theater of World War II. Krysia: a Polish Girl’s ...
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Projekt 1065 by Alan Gratz

A 13-year-old saboteur in the Hitler Youth meets the challenge of his life in this page-turning World War II thriller. Projekt 1065 by Alan Gratz.  ...
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Pearl Harbor Child: an Interview with Dorinda Nicholson

Her father was from Kansas City; her mother was native Hawaiian, and Dorinda Makanaonalani Stagner grew up on Pearl City Peninsula, just around the bend ...
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Paper Wishes by Lois Sepahban

This quiet story takes us into the mind of a Japanese-American girl who finds herself an alien in her own country. Paper Wishes by Lois ...
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Dive! World War II Stories of Sailors and Submarines by Deborah Hopkinson

This comprehensive history of submarine warfare in the Pacific will have WWII fans cheering and other readers quietly grateful for the sacrifices vividly detailed. Dive! ...
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The Plot to Kill Hitler: Dietrich Bonhoeffer by Patricia McCormick

Suspenseful prose and careful research make Bonhoeffer's brave actions come to life for teen readers. The Plot to Kill Hitler: Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Spy, Unlikely ...
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All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

A rich historical fiction work that offers hope in the midst of war-torn France. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. Scribner, 2014. 531 ...
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Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

A compelling--and ultimately hopeful--crossover title for teens and adults about Hitler's evacuation of Germany and the biggest maritime disaster in history. Salt to the Sea ...
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We Will Not Be Silent by Russell Freedman

Russell Freedman covers the White Rose student movement, a German anti-Nazi protest during World War II, with an emphasis on the organizers’ Christian faith. We ...
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The Boys Who Challenged Hitler by Phillip Hoose

The Boys Who Challenged Hitler: Knud Pedersen and the Churchill Club by Phillip Hoose. Farrar Straus Giroux, 2015. 198 pages including appendices Reading Level: Middle ...
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My Friend the Enemy by (our very own) J. B. Cheaney

My Friend the Enemy by J. B. Cheaney. Yearling, 2007 (reprint edition). 272 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades 8-12) Recommended for: Ages 8-12 If another ...
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cover of Number the Stars

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry (25th Anniversary)

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry. HMH Books for Young Readers, 2011 (reissue of 1989 copy). 156 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10Recommended for: Ages ...
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Dash by Kirby Larson

Dash by Kirby Larson. Scholastic, 2014. 256 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-12Recommended for: Ages 8-12 Eleven-year-old Mitsi's best friend is her little dog, Dash. ...
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D-Day: The Invasion of Normandy, 1944 by Rick Atkinson

D-Day: The Invasion of Normandy, 1944 by Rick Atkinson. Holt, 2014. 202 pages. Reading Level: Young Adults, ages 12-15 Maturity Level: 4 (ages 10-12) On the ...
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Corrie Ten Boom by Kaylena Radcliff

The Torchlighters Biography Series: Corrie Ten Boom by Kaylena Radcliff. Christian History Institute, 2014. 93 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10, ages 10-12 Maturity Level: 3, 4  ...
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Kids at War

If we were picking favorite periods of history, World War II would be near the top of the list.  Though it's fast fading from living ...
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Rose Under Fire: Sequel/Companion to Code Name Verity

Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein. Disney, 2013. Age: 14 and up. Last year, I read one of the best books I've ever read: Code ...
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On All Fronts: New Nonfiction of World War II

My sister, who serves at a docent at a prisoner-of-war museum in Texas, says that her most eager listeners are pre-teen and teenage boys.  When ...
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Burdens of the Past

Seventy-three years ago, on September 1, German tanks rolled across the border of Poland and the conflict that soon became known as World War II ...
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Soldier Bear

Soldier Bear, by Bibi Dumon Tak, illustrated by Philip Hopman.  Translated by Laura Watkinson.  Wm. B. Eerdmans, 2011, 145 pages.  Age/interest level: 9-12 World War ...
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Saving Zasha by Randi Barrow

Saving Zasha by Randi Barrow

Saving Zasha, by Randi Barrow.  Scholastic, 2011, 225 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades (ages 8-10) Recommended for: Ages 10-12 One-line Summary: In post-WWII Russia, Mikhail ...
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THe book thief cover image

The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak

The Book Thief, a literary novel for teens and adults, explores Nazi Germany and the Holocaust through the eyes of a child, in prose that ...
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Annexed by Sharon Dogar

Annexed is the fictionalized story of Peter van Pels, Anne Frank's fellow inmate, who offers a moving account of the Holocaust for teens, but no ...
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