Private Peaceful: what to read next

Former Children’s Laureate Sir Michael Morpurgo is a masterful author whose stories thrill and entertain while evoking great emotion, poignancy and reflection. 

Another World War 1 story, War Horse is told from the perspective of Joey, a young farm horse who is sold to the army. His innocence, bravery and compassion are incredibly moving in the harsh context of war. This is an excellent book to lead into history topics around WW1 and the role that animals played in the war effort.

Another superb book which explores the wider impact of war from an animal’s perspective. The year is 1815 and the Napoleonic war is drawing to its climax as Cobweb the corgi is enlisted to help drive cattle from Pembrokeshire to London. On the way he meets many people whose lives have been affected by the war to lesser or greater extents, all brought to life exquisitely by Morpurgo’s writing.

A timeless classic, 11-year-old Michael is washed ashore on a (seemingly) deserted island. As he struggles to survive he realises he is not alone; he is sharing this Pacific island with Kensuke, a former Japanese soldier who has lived there for years. Gradually the pair bond and form a friendship that transcends culture and language. A fabulous book.

These books offer unique and powerful perspectives on World War I by centring the experiences and voices of people of colour, whose stories have often been overlooked in traditional historical narratives.

This compilation of short stories celebrates and remembers some of the many extraordinary Black heroes who fought in World War 1, or who contributed to the war effort in other ways. Sadly, due to racial discrimination, many of their achievements were not recognised at the time, making this book even more important.

Discover the incredible true story of Hardit Singh Malik, the first ever Indian fighter-pilot and a true hero of WW1. Born in Punjab, India, Hardit moved to England to study and faced racial discrimination and prejudice. Undaunted, he persevered in his desire to help the war effort and eventually became a flying ace in the British Royal Flying Corps.

In 1914, three young people experience the start of World War I in very different ways. 12-year-old Lotte is a Belgian farm girl whose village is invaded. 15-year-old Ernst Hoffmeyer is a German soldier who lied about his age to join the cavalry, like his father. And Khudadad Khan is an Indian gunner who’s travelled to Europe to fight in the British army. Amidst the chaos, the noise, and the terror of battle, their paths cross – and their lives are changed forever. 

During World War II, Carrie and her younger brother Nick are evacuated to a small town in Wales to stay with the fierce old Mr Evans and his mousy sister, Louise. Inspired by Nina Bawden’s own experiences of living as an evacuee, Carrie’s War is considered a modern classic. Funny, sad and thought-provoking, it provides young readers an insight into some of the complexities and ambiguities of the adult world, albeit with a happy ending. 

Another evacuee story and another classic! Willie Beech is evacuated from an abject home in London to a tiny village in the English Countryside where he finds himself living with the reclusive, gruff old widower, Thomas Oakley. Little by little, the pair of misfits develop a strong bond. A beautifully written and deeply moving book.

It’s 1950 and Birdie, who has lived in a children’s home all her life, is excited to move to the small pit town of Barrington Dale to join her rediscovered distant family. But as someone with dual heritage, Birdie experiences racism and discrimination in her new hometown. She finds solace and companionship in the last remaining pit pony, and the pair develop a life-changing friendship. Eventually, the local community learn to judge her for who she is rather than what she looks like. Which is a vital life lesson for everyone. 

These books are recommended are for readers who are looking for similarly moving, powerful stories with themes of war, but for a slightly older age-range.

It’s 1941 during the Second World War. While most are evacuated to the countryside, 12-year-old Joseph is sent from rural Yorkshire to stay with his gran’s friend, Mrs F, in the city. During the Blitz, Joseph and Mrs F care for a rundown zoo, especially a silverback gorilla called Adonis. Over the course of the story, Joseph and Adonis’s bonds deepen to a remarkable relationship. A truly gripping and emotional read.

When Hitler annexes Austria in 1938, the happy and carefree childhood of brothers Fritz and Kurt is swiftly ended as the Nazis begin their systematic genocide of the Jewish people. While little Kurt is evacuated to America, teenaged Fritz and his father are captured and sent to a concentration camp. The absorbing true story of the Kleinmann family gives readers a perspective of the Holocaust from those who experienced it firsthand. Author Jeremy Dronfeld approaches this retelling with great care and sensitivity, setting the story in its historical context, including explanations of what the Holocaust was, how it came about and who was affected.

Focussing on the experiences of a small group of individuals, Safiyyah’s story shines a spotlight on an under-recognised pocket of resistance from World War II when hundreds of Jews were led to safety via underground passages from the Grand Mosque. A fascinating and moving story of courage, resilience and humanity.