Books About World War Ii · 402 titles considered

The Best World War Ii Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about world war ii? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

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Graphic Nov.

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About World War Ii

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$1797

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2021

A Place to Hang the Moon

By Kate Albus

Three siblings seek a forever home amidst wartime chaos and secrets.

320 pages· 62,475 words· Est. 7 hour read

6.5/7 Bookroo·4.6/5 Goodreads · 24,836 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In 1940, siblings William, Edmund, and Anna are evacuated from London, hoping to find a new family in the countryside. As they navigate foster homes and wartime challenges, they find solace in a village library and its kind librarian, Nora. But with the war's shadow looming and Nora's husband's mysterious absence, can they find the family they long for? Discover a tale of resilience and the search for belonging in a world turned upside down.

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$1697

Chapter Book · Ages 10–12 · 1989

Number the Stars

By Lois Lowry

A young girl helps hide her friend from Nazi forces in occupied Denmark.

Newbery Medal (1990)Jane Addams Children's Book Honor (1990)Sydney Taylor Book Award (1989)

139 pages· 26,492 words· Est. 3 hour read

5.6/7 Bookroo·4.2/5 Goodreads · 633,799 ratings

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Hardcover

Summary: In 1943 Denmark, ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen faces a dangerous mission: protect her Jewish friend Ellen from Nazi relocation. As the Danish Resistance works to save thousands, Annemarie must find courage amidst fear. Will her bravery be enough to outsmart the enemy and ensure Ellen's safety? Discover a tale of friendship and heroism in a time of war.

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$1797

Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2021

When the World Was Ours

By Liz Kessler

Three friends torn apart by war seek hope and reunion.

FCBG Children’s Book Award (2022)

352 pages· 64,837 words· Est. 7 hour read

4.5/5 Goodreads · 6,871 ratings

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Hardcover

Summary: In 1936 Vienna, Leo, Elsa, and Max share a perfect day, unaware of the looming darkness of war. As Europe descends into chaos, their lives are shattered, scattering them across Germany, England, Prague, and Poland. Will they find their way back to each other, or has the war changed them forever? This poignant tale, inspired by true events, explores the enduring power of friendship and hope amidst the devastation of the Holocaust.

Graphic Nov.

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$1899

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2019

They Called Us Enemy

By George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott, Harmony Becker (Illustrator)

A boy's childhood unfolds in WWII American camps, questioning identity and resilience.

Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature (2020)

204 pages· 12,726 words· Est. 1.5 hour read

4.4/5 Goodreads · 57,001 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: George Takei's childhood is upended when his family is forced into WWII American camps. As a young boy, he navigates the harsh realities of life behind barbed wire, grappling with questions of identity and justice. His mother's sacrifices and father's unwavering belief in democracy shape his future. How does one find hope in a world of legalized racism? This graphic memoir explores the courage and resilience needed to redefine what it means to be American. Join Takei on a journey through history that challenges the very essence of freedom and belonging.

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$1797

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2011

Between Shades of Gray

By Ruta Sepetys

A girl uses art to survive a Siberian work camp and reunite her family.

Golden Kite Award (2012)

344 pages· 64,129 words· Est. 6 hour read

4.4/5 Goodreads · 285,601 ratings

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Hardcover

Summary: Fifteen-year-old Lina's life shatters when Soviet officers tear her family apart, sending them to a Siberian work camp. Amidst the harsh conditions, Lina clings to her art, embedding secret messages in her drawings, hoping to reach her imprisoned father. As she battles for survival, Lina's courage and creativity become her lifeline. Will her art be enough to reunite her family and keep hope alive? Discover a gripping tale of resilience and the power of love in the face of unimaginable adversity.

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$1140

Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 1956

Night

By Elie Wiesel, Marion Wiesel (Translator) · Book #1 in the Night Trilogy series

A teenager's harrowing survival in Nazi death camps challenges humanity's darkest depths.

120 pages· 31,141 words· Est. 3 hour read

4.4/5 Goodreads · 1,395,559 ratings

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Paperback

Summary: In the chilling memoir 'Night,' a young boy endures the horrors of Nazi concentration camps. As he navigates the brutality of Auschwitz and Buchenwald, he grapples with profound questions about humanity and survival. This powerful account not only recounts the daily terror but also delves into the philosophical implications of the Holocaust. Will his story ensure the world never forgets the depths of man's inhumanity?

Graphic Nov.

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$1248

Chapter Book · Ages 7–12 · 2012

Catherine's War

By Julia Billet, Claire Fauvel (Illustrator), Ivanka Hahnenberger (Translator)

A young girl hides from the Nazis, capturing her journey through the lens of a camera.

Mildred L. Batchelder Honor (2021)

176 pages· 9,214 words· Est. 1.5 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 3,329 ratings

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Paperback

Summary: Rachel Cohen, a budding photographer at a children's home near Paris, must hide from the Nazis as France falls under their control. Adopting a new identity as Catherine Colin, she leaves behind her friends and safety. With her camera, Catherine documents her perilous journey and the bravery of those who risk everything to save lives. Will her passion for photography help her survive the war and preserve the memories of courage and sacrifice? Inspired by true events, this gripping tale explores identity, resilience, and the power of art in the darkest times.

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$1398

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2005

The Book Thief

By Markus Zusak

In Nazi Germany, a girl steals books to survive and share hope amidst war.

Michael L. Printz Honor (2007)Sydney Taylor Book Award (2007)

552 pages· 118,732 words· Est. 11 hour read

4.4/5 Goodreads · 2,957,592 ratings

$14.99Save 7%

Paperback

Summary: In 1939 Nazi Germany, young Liesel Meminger finds solace in stolen books. As bombs fall, she shares these treasures with neighbors and a hidden Jewish man. With Death narrating, Liesel's story unfolds, revealing the power of words to illuminate even the darkest times. Will her love for books be enough to sustain her through the horrors of war?

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$1899

Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2015

Echo

By Pam Muñoz Ryan

A harmonica links three children across time, each facing life-altering challenges.

Newbery Honor (2016)Americas Award (2016)Odyssey Honor (2016)

597 pages· 84,078 words· Est. 9.5 hour read

4.4/5 Goodreads · 48,416 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In a forbidden forest, Otto encounters three sisters and a mysterious harmonica. Decades later, Friedrich in Germany, Mike in Pennsylvania, and Ivy in California find their lives intertwined by this same harmonica. Each faces a daunting challenge: rescuing a father, protecting a brother, or holding a family together. As their stories unfold, destiny pulls them toward a shared fate. What secrets does the harmonica hold, and how will it unite them? Discover a tale where music bridges time and space, weaving a symphony of hope and courage.

Sale price

$958

Chapter Book · Ages 10–15

The Boy on the Wooden Box

By Leon Leyson

A young boy's journey from a carefree childhood in rural Poland to surviving the Holocaust through resilience, family, and the unlikely protection of Oskar Schindler.

Sydney Taylor Book Honor (2014)

256 pages· 36,884 words· Est. 3.5 hour read

4.4/5 Goodreads · 30,606 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Paperback

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World War Ii Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about world war ii for preschool and elementary-age readers.

Series

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$1599

Emmeline Pankhurst

Ages 4–8 · 2017

A young dreamer fights for women's voting rights, changing history.

Sale price

$1799

Diana's White House Garden

Ages 5–8 · 2016

A young girl living in the White House during World War II wants to do her part to help with the war effort

Sale price

$1799

The Lady with the Books

2020

In post-war Germany, two children find hope in a hall of books, changing their lives forever.

Sale price

$999

Christmas Tapestry

Ages 6–9 · 2002

A tapestry hides a secret that could bring a Christmas Eve miracle.

Sale price

$1795

Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot

Ages 7–9 · 2002

A pilot's candy drop brings hope to children in blockaded Berlin.

Sale price

$1899

A Bowl Full of Peace

Ages 6–11 · 2020

Survive the atomic bombing of Nagasaki and find hope in a miraculous discovery.

Sale price

$1899

Josephine

Ages 7–10 · 2013

From poverty to stardom, Josephine Baker's journey defies the odds.

Sale price

$1699

Lumber Jills

Ages 3–5 · 2019

Women take up axes to save Britain during WWII.

#4 in Series

Sale price

$1899

Hedy Lamarr's Double Life

Ages 5–10 · 2019

Discover the secret life of a movie star turned wartime inventor.

Sale price

$1999

Stars of the Night

Ages 7–11 · 2023

Children escape war-torn Prague, seeking safety and uncover a hero's identity decades later.

Sale price

$599

Queen Elizabeth II

Ages 4–8 · 2022

Discover the inspiring journey of Queen Elizabeth II, the longest reigning UK monarch.

Series

Sale price

$799

A Picture Book of Anne Frank

Ages 4–8 · 1993

A young girl's diary reveals hope and fear while hiding from the Nazis.

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Browse by age

World War Ii Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about world war ii for developing and independent readers.

Series

Sale price

$999

The War That Saved My Life

Ages 8–12 · 2015

A girl escapes wartime London, seeking freedom from her mother's cruelty.

Sale price

$999

An Elephant in the Garden

Ages 10–13 · 2009

A family flees a bombed city with an elephant, facing perilous challenges and unexpected allies.

Sale price

$899

The Diary of a Young Girl

Ages 11–15

A young girl hides from Nazis, documenting her life in a secret attic, revealing courage and humanity's frailty.

Sale price

$899

For Freedom

Ages 12–18 · 2003

A young opera singer becomes a daring spy in Nazi-occupied France.

Sale price

$1799

Paper Wishes

Ages 9–12 · 2016

A girl clings to hope as her family is uprooted during wartime.

Sale price

$799

The Devil's Arithmetic

Ages 10–15 · 1988

A girl is transported to the past, facing horrors only she foresees.

#1 in Series

Sale price

$1500

Code Name Verity

Ages 14–18 · 2012

A mission goes awry; captured, she must decide between truth and survival.

Sale price

$2080

Code Talker

Ages 12–18 · 2005

A Navajo youth becomes a secret weapon in WWII, using an unbreakable code.

Sale price

$899

Lily's Crossing

Ages 9–12 · 1997

A summer friendship hides secrets that could change lives during World War II.

#1 in Series

Sale price

$799

The Cay

Ages 11–15 · 1969

Stranded at sea, a boy must rely on an unlikely ally to survive and see beyond prejudice.

#1 in Series

Sale price

$1099

Dead End in Norvelt

Ages 11–15 · 2011

Grounded for life, a boy uncovers secrets in his town's obituaries, leading to unexpected adventures.

#1 in Series

Sale price

$799

Summer of My German Soldier

Ages 11–15 · 1973

A young girl befriends a German escapee, risking everything during WWII.

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Books about the Holocaust Books about survival stories Books about helping others Books about books and reading Books about connecting with others Books about drawing Books about empathy Books about evacuation and relocation

Our 10 Favorite Books About World War Ii

Great books, picked for their age.

World War Ii Picture Books

World War Ii Chapter Books & Middle Grade

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