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 and teenagers take a variety of different approaches to representing the events of World War II.
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On the Move: Poems About Migration
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On the Move: Poems About Migration
This emotive poetry anthology from former Children’s Laureate, Michael Rosen, explores the plight of refugees today, Rosen's child…
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Hitler's Canary
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Hitler's Canary
Hitler's Canary, ultimately, is about the courage and heroism of ordinary citizens in a time of danger and strife.
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The Swallows’ Flight
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The Swallows’ Flight
Hilary McKay’s ultimately uplifting Second World War story is full of brilliant characterisation, reflecting the experiences of yo…
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The Silver Sword
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The Silver Sword
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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When the World Was Ours
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When the World Was Ours
Elsa, Max, and Leo are three friends who live in Vienna - but as Hitler's rise to power begins to cast a shadow over Europe, they …
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A Berlin Love Song
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A Berlin Love Song
Lili Petalo is a trapeze artist in her family's circus. Max Hartmann is a member of the Hitler Youth, about to be recruited into t…
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The Missing: The True Story of My Family in World War II
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The Missing: The True Story of My Family in World War II
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
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Anne Frank
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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Tail-end Charlie
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Tail-end Charlie
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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My Secret War Diary, by Flossie Albright
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My Secret War Diary, by Flossie Albright
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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Dead End Kids
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Dead End Kids
Closely based on historical fact, Bernard Ashley has created another gripping account of wartime London.
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Goodnight Mister Tom
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Goodnight Mister Tom
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 Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit
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When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit
Partly autobiographical, this is first of the internationally acclaimed trilogy by Judith Kerr telling the unforgettable story of …
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Code Name Verity
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Code Name Verity
Two young women become unlikely best friends during WWII, until one is captured by the Gestapo...
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The Children of Willesden Lane
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The Children of Willesden Lane
Aspiring concert pianist Lisa Jura is just 14 when she is forced to leave Germany behind and travel to England on the Kindertransp…
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Between Shades of Gray
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Between Shades of Gray
Set in 1941, Between Shades of Grey is an extraordinary and haunting story based on first-hand family accounts and memories from s…
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Duty Calls: Dunkirk
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Duty Calls: Dunkirk
The exciting story of a teenage recruit who finds himself caught up in the evacuation of troops from Dunkirk in 1940.
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The Messenger Bird
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The Messenger Bird
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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Hero on a Bicycle
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Hero on a Bicycle
The first novel from much-loved author and illustrator Shirley Hughes is a thrilling and moving story about a boy and his bicycle,…
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That Burning Summer
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That Burning Summer
In the long hot summer of 1940, planes are doing battle over the channel, and the south coast of England is braced for a German in…
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The Earth is Singing
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The Earth is Singing
Based on true events, this first-person narrative tells the story of the Jews of Riga during World War II. Engaging, harrowing and…
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Hitler's Angel
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Hitler's Angel
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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Duty Calls: Battle of Britain
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Duty Calls: Battle of Britain
It's the Battle of Britain and 19-year-old pilot officer Archie Jackson is in control of the RAF's newest fighter aircraft, a Supe…
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Death Match
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Death Match
During the occupation of Ukraine in World War II, players from what had been the Dynamo Kiev football team set themselves up as St…
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My Brother's Keeper
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My Brother's Keeper
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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