The Best Cold War Books for Kids

Summary: In Cold War Russia, young Yevgeny navigates family chaos and hidden secrets, including a KGB spy in his kitchen. With dreams of becoming a national hero, he faces the challenge of living up to his parents' expectations without the talents of his brother. Armed only with a pencil and a table's underside, Yevgeny discovers that his doodles might hold the key to his future. Can he find his place in a world filled with drama and intrigue? This memoir blends humor and poignancy, capturing a boy's quest for identity in a tumultuous era.

Summary: In an alternate future where the Cold War still rages, four teenage criminals with dark skills and darker secrets are offered a fresh start at a secret military academy: a disgraced political heir, a ruthless strategist, a former pageant queen and a soldier with an enigmatic past. Instead of training to end the war, they are sent on a mysterious mission that will test their loyalties and may change the world.

Summary: Kate Messner busts the myths of the Space Race: it was well underway long before the moon landing, and for years the United States trailed the Soviet Union. From failed satellite launches to the risks astronauts took, this book shows how space exploration really unfolded, with comics, photos and sidebars.