Books About The Holocaust · 143 titles considered

The Best The Holocaust Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about the holocaust? 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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The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About The Holocaust

Sale price

$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 experts·4.2/5 Goodreads · 633,799 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

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.

Sale price

$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

$18.99Save 5%

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.

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%

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

$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

$12.00Save 5%

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?

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Sale price

$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

$12.99Save 4%

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.

Sale price

$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%

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?

Sale price

$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%

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%

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 11–15

The Diary of a Young Girl

By Anne Frank, Susan Massotty (Translator)

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

400 pages· 100,270 words· Est. 9.5 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 4,300,275 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Summary: In Nazi-occupied Holland, thirteen-year-old Anne Frank hides with her family in a secret attic. Her diary captures the tension, fear, and fleeting moments of joy during their two-year confinement. As Anne navigates adolescence amidst the constant threat of discovery, her words reveal a profound resilience and a poignant glimpse into her inner world. This uncut edition unveils her complex relationship with her mother and her emerging self-awareness, offering a deeper understanding of her indomitable spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity.

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2003

For Freedom

By Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

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

192 pages

4.1/5 Goodreads · 2,165 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Summary: In 1940 Cherbourg, Suzanne's life is upended by war. As German forces seize her home, she clings to her passion for singing. But when her talent leads her into the world of espionage, Suzanne becomes a secret courier for the French Resistance. With each mission, she risks everything for freedom. Can she outsmart the enemy and survive the perilous path of a spy?

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The Holocaust Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about the holocaust for preschool and elementary-age readers.

Sale price

$999

Christmas Tapestry

Ages 6–9 · 2002

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

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

$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.

Sale price

$1599

Anne Frank

Ages 4–7 · 2018

A young girl hides during war, her diary revealing hope amidst darkness.

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Sale price

$1699

I am Anne Frank

Ages 5–7 · 2020

A young girl hides from Nazis, documenting her hopes and fears.

Sale price

$1799

The Tree in the Courtyard

Ages 5–8 · 2016

A tree witnesses a girl's life during war, her absence, and the legacy of peace she leaves behind.

Sale price

$1795

The Brave Cyclist

Ages 9–12 · 2019

A cycling champion risks everything to save lives during WWII.

Sale price

$1799

Martin & Anne

Ages 8–11 · 2019

Two lives, one year: hope and dreams defy prejudice and violence.

Sale price

$2199

The Cats in Krasinski Square

Ages 7–10 · 2004

A Jewish girl defies the Gestapo in WWII Warsaw.

Sale price

$2099

I Will Come Back for You

Ages 5–9 · 2011

A grandmother's tale of survival and hope during WWII in Italy.

Sale price

$1895

The Promise

Ages 7–10 · 2018

Sisters face Auschwitz's horrors, risking everything to stay together and survive.

Sale price

$2825

Auschwitz

Ages 11–14 · 2011

Uncover the chilling history and legacy of Auschwitz.

View all the holocaust picture books

Browse by age

The Holocaust Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about the holocaust for developing and independent readers.

Sale price

$799

The Devil's Arithmetic

Ages 10–15 · 1988

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

Sale price

$1299

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

Ages 12–18 · 2006

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

Sale price

$1699

Survivors Club

Ages 10–14 · 2017

A Jewish family in German-occupied Poland struggles to survive as the Holocaust closes in around them.

Sale price

$789

Anne Frank

Ages 7–10 · 2006

Explore the triumphs and trials of history's most remarkable figures.

Sale price

$1550

Once

Ages 11–15 · 2005

A boy's storytelling may be his only hope in Nazi-occupied Poland.

Sale price

$899

The Children of Willesden Lane

Ages 8–12 · 2002

A young pianist's music becomes her lifeline amid war's chaos.

Sale price

$1195

Terrible Things

Ages 8–12 · 1980

When Terrible Things arrive, will Little Rabbit find the courage to question and stand up against injustice?

Sale price

$1299

They Went Left

Ages 13–17 · 2020

In post-war chaos, a girl searches for her lost brother, uncovering secrets that could heal or destroy her.

Sale price

$1899

Code Name Kingfisher

Ages 8–12 · 2024

A girl uncovers her grandmother's secret past in the Dutch Resistance, revealing hidden family ties and wartime bravery.

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Sale price

$1899

The Faithful Spy

Ages 10–14 · 2018

A pastor risks everything to stop Hitler's rise.

Sale price

$1899

Tree. Table. Book.

Ages 8–12 · 2024

A young girl fights to save her elderly friend from losing her memories and freedom.

A Survivor's Tale I: My Father Bleeds History

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Sale price

$1695

A Survivor's Tale I: My Father Bleeds History

1986

A graphic novel explores a father's Holocaust survival and a son's struggle with their shared past.

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Books about survival stories Books about helping others Books about World War II Books about books and reading Books about connecting with others Books about drawing Books about empathy Books about ethnic relations

Our 10 Favorite Books About The Holocaust

Great books, picked for their age.

The Holocaust Picture Books

The Holocaust Chapter Books & Middle Grade

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