Books about World War I

Published to coincide with the centenary of the end of the First World War, this beautiful book tells the story of Stubby, the most decorated war dog of the First World War. The storytelling is sublime and the illustrations are profoundly beautiful. 

In 1914, ten-year-old Archie is sent a scrapbook in the post by his Uncle Colin, and through the years that follow, we see the world through Archie’s eyes.

On the football field and off it, Jatinder always wants to excel, but he always takes the easy option instead of the risky one.

Then Jatinder reads a book by a World War 1 pilot – and finds himself transported into battle.

Inspired by John McCrae’s war poem In Flanders Fields, this touching story is ideal to share with young children to promote discussion about the impact of war and the nature of remembrance. 

In French woodland, sisters Coco and Marcelle find and help a blind English deserter from the battlefront, trying to ensure he reaches home. In return, he tells them marvellous tales…

This informative and thought-provoking collection of true stories shines a light on the contributions made by Britain’s Black community during the First World War.

The inspiring story of Hardit Sing Malik, a British Indian, who fought for the right to be able to protect Britain in World War One.

Clarry and Peter love spending their summers in Cornwall with their cousin Rupert, but how will things change when he enlists for the First World War? A hugely evocative, powerful and impressive story.

Set during World War I, Private Peaceful charts eight hours in the life of Tommo, a young soldier at the Front.

Three young people experience the start of World War I from different perspectives. Based on the true story of an Indian gunner who fought with the British in Belgium, this is an epic, moving story in a slim volume. 

As a Girl Guide, fourteen-year-old Phyl is recruited by the War Office in 1915 to pass on messages. And when an MO5 officer goes missing, the Guides investigate by themselves… Thrilling, with fascinating WWI detail. 

Steven Spielberg enjoyed this story so much, he turned into a film. Joey is a young farm horse, sold to the army at the beginning of the First World War. Through his eyes, the reader experiences the devastation of the Western Front, his capture by Germans and entrapment in No Man’s Land.

Nate Yu Riley is adopted, and knows how loved he is. As he’s Chinese and his mums aren’t, they have tried to connect him with his heritage, but he’s just not interested – until the day he sees the ghost for the first time. 

Set during World War I, this book tells the compelling true story of the professional footballers who signed up to fight. It’s sure to enthral readers and pique their interest in the period.

This moving and memorable homage to E Nesbit’s classic story is no ordinary children’s book. A heart-wrenching and poignant tribute to ​‘all the boys and girls, 1914–18’, it is a must-read for children and adults alike.

Lily loves fell running. She’s good, but never quite good enough: she gets anxious and loses her focus and then that’s it. Out. Plus she’s worried about her grandmother, who has Alzheimer’s and is growing distant and confused.

Find out about Walter Tull – a hero on the football pitch and during World War One.

It’s 1917 and Stanley Ryder is one of many young boys enlisting in the army, in spite of the fact he is underage. Assigned to working with messenger dogs, he is drafted to the Western Front.

17-year-old Sasha travels to France as a volunteer nurse in an attempt to rescue her beloved brother Tom from a terrible death. But can she really change the future?

Poignantly bringing the First World War alive for teenagers, this anthology reminds us that many of those in the trenches were themselves no older.