Books About Prisoners Of War

The Best Prisoners Of War Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about prisoners of war? 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.

#1 in Series

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Prisoners Of War

Sale price

$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

$18.99Save 5%

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.

Sale price

$1425

Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 2012

Code Name Verity

By Elizabeth Wein · Book #1 in the Code Name Verity series

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

Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (2012)Michael L. Printz Honor (2013)Golden Kite Honor (2013)

452 pages

4.0/5 Goodreads · 130,496 ratings

$15.00Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: In WWII, two unlikely friends—a Manchester pilot and a Scottish aristocrat—face the ultimate test of loyalty. When a mission fails, one is captured by the Gestapo. As she writes her story for her captors, she must navigate the thin line between truth and deception. Will her words betray her friend or save them both? The stakes are life and death, and every word could be her last. Dive into a tale of courage, espionage, and the unbreakable bonds of friendship in the darkest of times.

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 11–15 · 1973

Summer of My German Soldier

By Bette Greene · Book #1 in the Summer of My German Soldier series

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

Golden Kite Award (1974)

230 pages· 56,781 words· Est. 5.5 hour read

3.7/5 Goodreads · 17,959 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Mass Market Paperback

Summary: In a small Arkansas town during WWII, 12-year-old Patty Bergen befriends Anton, a German escapee. Despite her Jewish background, she sees him as a kindred spirit, not an enemy. As their bond deepens, Patty faces the ultimate test of loyalty, risking family, friends, and freedom for the connection that changes her life. Will she choose her heart over her heritage?

Sale price

$1248

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2006

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

By John Boyne

Two boys form a forbidden friendship across a fence, leading to unforeseen consequences.

218 pages· 46,875 words· Est. 4.5 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 997,455 ratings

$12.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: In 1942 Berlin, young Bruno's life changes when his family moves to a remote house near a mysterious fence. Driven by curiosity, he befriends a boy on the other side, unaware of the dark reality separating them. As their bond grows, so do the risks, leading to a heart-wrenching outcome. What secrets lie beyond the fence, and how will their friendship alter their fates?

Sale price

$1398

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2010

Unbroken

By Laura Hillenbrand

A crash survivor faces the vast Pacific, battling nature and enemy forces in a fight for survival.

320 pages· 132,206 words· Est. 12.5 hour read

4.5/5 Goodreads · 8,127 ratings

$14.99Save 7%

Paperback

Summary: Louis Zamperini, a former Olympian turned airman, crashes into the Pacific during WWII. Stranded on a raft, he confronts sharks, starvation, and enemy threats. As he drifts into the unknown, his resilience and ingenuity are tested. Will his spirit endure against insurmountable odds, or will he succumb to the ocean's perils? This gripping tale of survival explores the limits of human endurance and the power of hope.

Sale price

$1899

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2020

Skyhunter

By Marie Lu · Book #1 in the Skyhunter series

A mysterious prisoner may hold the key to saving or destroying the last free nation in a war-torn world.

371 pages· 111,954 words· Est. 10.5 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 24,843 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In a world ravaged by war, Talin, a fierce Striker, defends Mara, the last free nation, against the oppressive Federation and its mutant beasts. Seen as an outcast, Talin's resolve is tested when a mysterious prisoner arrives, potentially holding the power to change everything. Is he a spy or the key to victory? As the Federation closes in, Talin must uncover the truth before time runs out. Dive into a gripping tale of survival, loyalty, and hope, where every decision could mean the difference between salvation and annihilation.

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2016

Liberty

By Kirby Larson · Dogs of World War II series

A boy's invention leads to a stray dog and unexpected friendships during WWII.

240 pages

4.0/5 Goodreads · 307 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: In 1940s New Orleans, young inventor Fish dreams of having a dog while his father fights in Europe. When his invention leads him to Liberty, a stray dog, he teams up with his neighbor Olympia to rescue her. Amidst the backdrop of the Higgins boatyard, where diverse workers build crafts crucial to the war effort, Fish's journey challenges his views on race, war, and friendship. As he navigates these turbulent times, Fish discovers courage and unexpected allies, transforming his understanding of the world.

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2017

Lost Boys

By Darcey Rosenblatt

A boy's survival is tested in a war-torn land, where music becomes his refuge.

288 pages· 56,486 words· Est. 6.5 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 594 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: In 1982, twelve-year-old Reza is thrust into Iran's war, seeking glory but finding captivity in an Iraqi camp. Amidst violence, he clings to music and friendship. Can he survive and find a home?

Sale price

$1899

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2023

Race Against Death

By Deborah Hopkinson

A daring WWII rescue mission to save POWs from brutal captivity.

320 pages· 41,842 words· Est. 4.5 hour read

3.9/5 Goodreads · 192 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In WWII's Pacific theater, American and Filipino soldiers face brutal captivity after the Bataan Death March. As the war's tides shift, US Army Rangers, aided by Filipino guerrillas, embark on a perilous mission to rescue them. Will they succeed against overwhelming odds? Discover the forgotten heroism of the Great Raid.

Sale price

$2374

Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2017

Sinking the Sultana

By Sally M. Walker

A steamboat overloaded with soldiers explodes, leading to a catastrophic disaster. Who's to blame?

208 pages· 33,132 words· Est. 3.5 hour read

3.9/5 Goodreads · 135 ratings

$24.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In 1865, as the Civil War ends, the steamboat Sultana carries over 2,000 Union soldiers home, far exceeding its capacity. When its boilers explode on the Mississippi River, chaos ensues. Amidst the fiery wreckage and turbulent waters, over 1,500 lives are lost. This gripping account delves into the tragedy, questioning who or what was responsible for this preventable disaster. Was it greed, negligence, or something more sinister? Discover the untold story of America's deadliest maritime disaster and the haunting mystery that lingers over the Sultana's fate.

The Bookroo Book Club