Books about World War II
War can be a difficult subject for children to understand properly, especially the conflict of the Second World War.
From classic favourites to more recent titles, these books for children take a variety of different approaches to representing the events of World War II.
Read our list of children's books about the Holocaust
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On the Move: Poems About Migration
Author: Michael Rosen Illustrator: Quentin Blake
Interest level: 9-12
Reading age: 9+
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On the Move: Poems About Migration
Author: Michael Rosen Illustrator: Quentin Blake
Interest level: 9-12
Reading age: 9+
This emotive poetry anthology from former Children’s Laureate, Michael Rosen, explores the plight of refugees today, Rosen's child…
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The Messenger Bird
Author: Ruth Eastham
Interest level: 10+
Reading age: 9+
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The Messenger Bird
Author: Ruth Eastham
Interest level: 10+
Reading age: 9+
The Messenger Bird is an exciting adventure story with a twist, and will be particularly enjoyed by anyone who is interested in hi…
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The Weather Girls
Author: Sarah Webb
Interest level: 9-11
Reading age: 8+
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The Weather Girls
Author: Sarah Webb
Interest level: 9-11
Reading age: 8+
When a German fighter plane crashes nearby, Grace saves the pilot’s life. But she will play an even greater part in World War II t…
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I, Spy: A Bletchley Park Mystery
Author: Rhian Tracey Illustrator: David Dean
Interest level: 9-11
Reading age: 9+
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I, Spy: A Bletchley Park Mystery
Author: Rhian Tracey Illustrator: David Dean
Interest level: 9-11
Reading age: 9+
When war is declared in 1939, Bletchley Park becomes a hive of covert activity and Robyn is tasked with looking after the homing p…
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Hitler's Canary
Author: Sandi Toksvig
Interest level: 9+
Reading age: 9+
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Hitler's Canary
Author: Sandi Toksvig
Interest level: 9+
Reading age: 9+
Hitler's Canary, ultimately, is about the courage and heroism of ordinary citizens in a time of danger and strife.
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Angel of Grasmere
Author: Tom Palmer
Interest level: 9-11
Reading age: 8+
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Angel of Grasmere
Author: Tom Palmer
Interest level: 9-11
Reading age: 8+
In the midst of war, a mysterious figure is performing acts of kindness in a Lake District village. Can Tarn find out who it is? A…
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Tail-end Charlie
Author: Mick Manning & Brita Granstrom
Interest level: 7-8
Reading age: 7+
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Tail-end Charlie
Author: Mick Manning & Brita Granstrom
Interest level: 7-8
Reading age: 7+
Mick Manning has carefully recreated the hair-raising tales his father told him about life as an RAF tail-gunner during the Second…
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Goodnight Mister Tom
Author: Michelle Magorian
Interest level: 9+
Reading age: 10+
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Goodnight Mister Tom
Author: Michelle Magorian
Interest level: 9+
Reading age: 10+
Willie Beech, a lonely and deprived child, is evacuated to a tiny English village just before the Second World War, and find…
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When We Were Warriors
Author: Emma Carroll
Interest level: 9-11
Reading age: 9+
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When We Were Warriors
Author: Emma Carroll
Interest level: 9-11
Reading age: 9+
A trio of connected stories, set during the Second World War, that feature feisty children, ghosts and a potential Nazi invasion. …
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Noor-un-Nissa Inayat Khan
Author: Sufiya Ahmed
Interest level: 9-11
Reading age: 9+
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Noor-un-Nissa Inayat Khan
Author: Sufiya Ahmed
Interest level: 9-11
Reading age: 9+
This is the incredible true story of Noor Inayat Khan, a Muslim woman who spied for Britain during the Second World War. Noor is w…
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The Midnight Guardians
Author: Ross Montgomery
Interest level: 9-11
Reading age: 8+
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The Midnight Guardians
Author: Ross Montgomery
Interest level: 9-11
Reading age: 8+
When Col is evacuated, his sister Rose stays behind in London to help with the war effort. But when he learns Rose is in danger, C…
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Red Stars
Author: Davide Morosinotto Translator: Denise Muir
Interest level: 9-12
Reading age: 9+
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Red Stars
Author: Davide Morosinotto Translator: Denise Muir
Interest level: 9-12
Reading age: 9+
Twins Viktor and Nadya are separated when Nazi forces attack the Soviet Union - but they'll risk everything to find each other aga…
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D-Day Dog
Author: Tom Palmer Illustrator: Tom Clohosy Cole
Interest level: 9-12
Reading age: 9+
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D-Day Dog
Author: Tom Palmer Illustrator: Tom Clohosy Cole
Interest level: 9-12
Reading age: 9+
Jack’s favourite things are his dog, Finn, and playing war-themed videogames with his dad, who’s an army reservist. He’s excited a…
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Please Write Soon
Author: Michael Rosen Illustrator: Michael Foreman
Interest level: 9-11
Reading age: 9+
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Please Write Soon
Author: Michael Rosen Illustrator: Michael Foreman
Interest level: 9-11
Reading age: 9+
This important and moving book from an acclaimed author follows pen pals Solly, an English schoolboy, and his Polish cousin Bernie…
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Carrie's War
Author: Nina Bawden
Interest level: 9+
Reading age: 10+
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Carrie's War
Author: Nina Bawden
Interest level: 9+
Reading age: 10+
Inspired by Nina Bawden's own experiences of living as an evacuee in a Welsh mining valley as a child, Carrie's War is n…
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Nisha's War
Author: Dan Smith
Interest level: 10-13
Reading age: 9+
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Nisha's War
Author: Dan Smith
Interest level: 10-13
Reading age: 9+
During World War II, an Anglo-Indian refugee is offered a deal by a ghostly child: her mother’s life in exchange for three truths.…
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When Fishes Flew: The Story of Elena’s War
Author: Michael Morpurgo Illustrator: George Butler
Interest level: 9-12
Reading age: 10+
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When Fishes Flew: The Story of Elena’s War
Author: Michael Morpurgo Illustrator: George Butler
Interest level: 9-12
Reading age: 10+
In a story that is part fantasy, part family history, Nandi discovers the lost story of her great Aunty Ellie’s wartime heroics.&n…
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Safiyyah’s War
Author: Hiba Noor Khan
Interest level: 9-11
Reading age: 10+
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Safiyyah’s War
Author: Hiba Noor Khan
Interest level: 9-11
Reading age: 10+
Focussing on the experiences of a small group of individuals, Safiyyah’s story shines a spotlight on an under-recognised pocket of…
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When the Sky Falls
Author: Phil Earle
Interest level: 11-14
Reading age: 10+
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When the Sky Falls
Author: Phil Earle
Interest level: 11-14
Reading age: 10+
It's the Second World War and while everyone else is evacuated to the countryside, 12-year-old Joseph ends up in the city with a w…
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The Swallows’ Flight
Author: Hilary McKay
Interest level: 10-13
Reading age: 10+
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The Swallows’ Flight
Author: Hilary McKay
Interest level: 10-13
Reading age: 10+
Hilary McKay’s ultimately uplifting Second World War story is full of brilliant characterisation, reflecting the experiences of yo…
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Rosie Raja: Churchill’s Spy
Author: Sufiya Ahmed
Interest level: 9-11
Reading age: 8+
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Rosie Raja: Churchill’s Spy
Author: Sufiya Ahmed
Interest level: 9-11
Reading age: 8+
In war-torn France, who can Rosie trust? A pacy novel starring a brave Anglo-India heroine.
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The Silver Sword
Author: Ian Seraillier
Interest level: 9-11
Reading age: 9+
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The Silver Sword
Author: Ian Seraillier
Interest level: 9-11
Reading age: 9+
In the chaos of World War II, Ruth, Edek and Bronia are separated from their parents, and left alone to fend for themselves, hidin…
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The Missing: The True Story of My Family in World War II
Author: Michael Rosen
Interest level: 10-14
Reading age: 9+
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The Missing: The True Story of My Family in World War II
Author: Michael Rosen
Interest level: 10-14
Reading age: 9+
A fascinating family memoir and a very personal story about terrible loss, The Missing describes the impact of the Holoc…
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Anne Frank
Author: Josephine Poole Illustrator: Angela Barrett
Interest level: 8-11
Reading age: 8+
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Anne Frank
Author: Josephine Poole Illustrator: Angela Barrett
Interest level: 8-11
Reading age: 8+
This account of the Nazi persecution of the Jews and Anne Frank's family's hiding in a secret annexe to escape them, is sensitivel…
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My Secret War Diary, by Flossie Albright
Author: Marcia Williams
Interest level: 8+
Reading age: 7+
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My Secret War Diary, by Flossie Albright
Author: Marcia Williams
Interest level: 8+
Reading age: 7+
Following Archie's War, which recorded in diary form the First World War home-front experience of a ten year old, Williams now tur…
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Goodnight Mister Tom
Author: Michelle Magorian
Interest level: 9+
Reading age: 10+
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Goodnight Mister Tom
Author: Michelle Magorian
Interest level: 9+
Reading age: 10+
Willie Beech, a lonely and deprived child, is evacuated to a tiny English village just before the Second World War, and find…
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Hitler's Angel
Author: William Osborne
Interest level: 9+
Reading age: 10+
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Hitler's Angel
Author: William Osborne
Interest level: 9+
Reading age: 10+
In the summer of 1941, two displaced teenagers, one German, one Austrian, are recruited by the British government for a secret mis…
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My Brother's Keeper
Author: Tom and Tony Bradman
Interest level: 9+
Reading age: 9+
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My Brother's Keeper
Author: Tom and Tony Bradman
Interest level: 9+
Reading age: 9+
Alfie's story has obvious subject appeal for boys and the length is enticing for reluctant readers, but this neat little story man…
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Letters from the Lighthouse
Author: Emma Carroll
Interest level: 9+
Reading age: 9+
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Letters from the Lighthouse
Author: Emma Carroll
Interest level: 9+
Reading age: 9+
Olive and her brother have been evacuated to Devon, but big sister Sukie is still missing from the night of the bombs. Emma Carrol…
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