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Books inspired by the Holocaust

We look at some of the best children's books inspired by the events of the Holocaust. Read an article from the archive.

  • The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

    The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

    by John Boyne
    David Fickling Books
    Bruno is exploring his new home at 'Out-With' when he meets Shmuel, who lives on the other side of a fence which surrounds a large camp in the grounds.
    Read about 'The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas'
  • Death Match

    Death Match

    by Andy Croft
    A&C Black
    During the occupation of Ukraine in World War II, players from what had been the Dynamo Kiev football team set themselves up as Start FC and competed in a Nazi-organised league
    Read about 'Death Match'
  • Annexed

    Annexed

    by Sharon Dogar
    Andersen Press
    This fictionalised account of Peter (a teenage Dutch Jew, hiding from the Nazis with his family and their friends, the Franks) is a meditation on the power of written testimony and the nature of evil.
    Read about 'Annexed'
  • Once

    Once

    by Morris Gleitzman
    Puffin
    On his travels Felix uses his natural optimism and storytelling gift to explain away the horrific events he witnesses in Nazi occupied Poland. A sad, deeply moving, portrayal of the holocaust with uplifting moments of humanity and hope.
    Read about 'Once'
  • A Song for Summer

    A Song for Summer

    by Eva Ibbotson
    Macmillan Children's Books
    A deliciously old-fashioned story, which encompasses love, adventure and a host of memorable characters.
    Read about 'A Song for Summer'
  • When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit

    When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit

    by Judith Kerr
    HarperCollins Children's Books
    Partly autobiographical, this is first of the internationally acclaimed trilogy by Judith Kerr telling the unforgettable story of a Jewish family fleeing from Germany at the start of the World War II.
    Read about 'When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit'
  • Anne Frank

    Anne Frank

    by Josephine Poole
    Red Fox
    This account of the Nazi persecution of the Jews and Anne Frank's family's hiding in a secret annexe to escape them, is sensitively told.
    Read about 'Anne Frank'
  • The Silver Sword

    The Silver Sword

    by Ian Serrailier
    Jonathan Cape
    Runner up to C.S. Lewis in the Carnegie Awards for 1956, Serrailier's book has become a classic, speaking to its readers as powerfully now as it did 50 years ago
    Read about 'The Silver Sword'
  • Maus

    Maus

    by Art Spiegelman
    Penguin
    This is the complete story of Vladek Spiegelman and his wife, living and surviving in Hitler's Europe.
    Read about 'Maus'
  • Milkweed

    Milkweed

    by Jerry Spinelli
    Orchard Books
    This incredible book explores a horrific area of recent history in a totally unsentimental way. A masterpiece!
    Read about 'Milkweed'
  • Hitler's Canary

    Hitler's Canary

    by Sandi Toksvig
    Doubleday
    Hitler's Canary, ultimately, is about the courage and heroism of ordinary citizens in a time of danger and strife.
    Read about 'Hitler's Canary'
  • The Book Thief

    The Book Thief

    by Markus Zusak
    Black Swan
    A powerful story narrated by Death, about: a girl, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist fighter, and quite a lot of thievery
    Read about 'The Book Thief'