Books About Wars · 81 titles considered

The Best Wars Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about wars? 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.

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Wars

Sale price

$1697

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2017

Refugee

By Alan Gratz

Three children flee their war-torn homes, facing perilous journeys for a chance at refuge and hope.

The E.B. White Read Aloud Honor (2018)Cybils Award (2017)Sydney Taylor Book Award (2018)

338 pages· 65,632 words· Est. 7.5 hour read

7.0/7 Bookroo·4.4/5 Goodreads · 86,284 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Summary: Josef, Isabel, and Mahmoud are separated by time and place, yet united by their desperate quests for safety. Josef flees Nazi Germany, Isabel escapes Cuba's turmoil, and Mahmoud braves Syria's chaos. Each faces life-threatening challenges—drownings, bombings, betrayals—on their harrowing journeys. As they seek refuge, their stories intertwine in unexpected ways, revealing the enduring power of hope and survival. Will they find the sanctuary they seek, or will the dangers prove insurmountable? Discover the connections that bind their fates in this gripping tale of courage and resilience.

Sale price

$958

Chapter Book · Ages 10–12 · 2010

A Long Walk to Water

By Linda Sue Park

Two Sudanese children face perilous journeys for survival and hope.

Jane Addams Children's Book Award (2011)

128 pages· 20,925 words· Est. 2.5 hour read

7.0/7 Bookroo·4.3/5 Goodreads · 107,729 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Summary: In Sudan, Nya walks hours daily for water in 2008, while Salva, a 'lost boy' in 1985, treks across Africa seeking safety. Their paths, fraught with danger from rebels and wildlife, eventually converge in a surprising, life-changing encounter. How will their stories of endurance and hope intertwine?

Sale price

$1900

Chapter Book · Ages 11–16 · 1868

Little Women

By Louisa May Alcott, Anna Bond (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the Little Women series

Four sisters navigate life's challenges while awaiting their father's return from war.

816 pages· 184,747 words· Est. 17 hour read

5.9/7 Bookroo·4.2/5 Goodreads · 2,524,688 ratings

$20.00Save 5%

Summary: In a world where their father is away at war, the March sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—must rely on each other to face life's trials. As they grow from childhood to womanhood, they grapple with dreams, ambitions, and the hope of their father's safe return. Will their bond withstand the pressures of society and personal aspirations? Discover the heartwarming journey of sisterhood, resilience, and the quest for identity in a time of uncertainty.

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2012

The Dragonet Prophecy

By Tui T. Sutherland · Book #1 in the Wings of Fire series

Five dragonets are destined to end a war between dragon tribes.

336 pages· 67,138 words· Est. 7.5 hour read

4.3/5 Goodreads · 22,071 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

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

$958

Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2009

An Elephant in the Garden

By Michael Morpurgo

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

224 pages· 36,004 words· Est. 4 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 13,419 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Summary: In a war-torn city, Lizzie, Karl, and their mother face an impossible choice: save Marlene, an orphaned elephant, or leave her to certain death. As bombs fall, they embark on a perilous journey, Marlene in tow, through a landscape fraught with danger. Along the way, they encounter Peter, a daring Canadian navigator, who risks everything to help them. Can this unlikely group of survivors find safety and hope amidst chaos? Discover a tale of courage, compassion, and the extraordinary bond between humans and animals.

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 11–16 · 1895

The Red Badge of Courage

By Stephen Crane · Puffin Classics series

A young soldier faces fear and self-doubt in the chaos of war.

215 pages· 44,126 words· Est. 4 hour read

3.3/5 Goodreads · 111,563 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Summary: Henry Fleming, a young recruit in the American Civil War, dreams of heroism but is confronted by the brutal reality of battle. As fear and self-doubt grip him, Henry must decide if he will rise to the challenge or succumb to cowardice. Will the horrors of war forge him into a hero, or will they break him? This gripping tale explores the inner turmoil of a soldier caught between his ideals and the harsh truths of combat, leaving readers to wonder about the true nature of courage.

Sale price

$1797

Picture Book · Ages 6–11 · 2020

A Bowl Full of Peace

By Caren Stelson, Akira Kusaka (Illustrator)

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

40 pages· 933 words· Est. 8 min read-aloud

5.5/7 Bookroo·4.5/5 Goodreads · 574 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Summary: Sachiko Yasui's life changes forever when the atomic bomb devastates Nagasaki. Amidst the ruins, her father finds their serving bowl intact, a symbol of hope and resilience. Can this fragile relic help Sachiko and her family rebuild their lives and embrace peace? Discover a poignant journey of survival and the enduring power of memory.

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$1899

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2018

The Magic Book of Spells (Graphic Novel)

Star vs. the Forces of Evil series

Unlock secrets and spells from Mewni's magical history.

288 pages· 8,818 words· Est. 1.5 hour read

4.4/5 Goodreads · 887 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Summary: Dive into the enchanting world of Mewni with The Magic Book of Spells. Discover hidden secrets, powerful spells, and the untold stories of thirteen queens. Join Star Butterfly on a journey through magic and mystery, and meet four queens never seen before. What secrets will you uncover?

Sale price

$1615

Picture Book · Ages 4–7 · 2001

Gleam and Glow

By Deborah J Short, Josefina Villamil Tinajero, Alfredo Schifini

A family flees war, leaving behind everything, hoping for a reunion and a miracle.

32 pages· 1,806 words· Est. 14 min read-aloud

4.3/5 Goodreads · 556 ratings

$17.00Save 5%

Summary: Viktor, an eight-year-old boy, must flee his war-torn home with his mother and sister, leaving behind cherished memories and his father, who is fighting. As they join the stream of refugees, Viktor clings to hope through the survival of two special fish, a symbol of resilience amidst chaos. Will they find safety, and can his father ever reunite with them? This poignant tale, inspired by true events, explores the strength of family and the unexpected sources of hope in the darkest times.

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Wars Picture Books

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

Sale price

$1799

Brother's Keeper

Ages 8–12 · 2020

Two siblings must escape war-torn North Korea alone. Can they survive the perilous journey?

Sale price

$1899

Dancing Hands

Ages 4–8 · 2019

A young pianist's music may soothe a war-torn nation.

Sale price

$1799

At the Mountain's Base

Ages 4–8 · 2019

A family awaits a pilot's return, bound by song and tradition.

Sale price

$999

The Wall

Ages 4–7 · 1990

A boy visits a memorial to find his grandfather's name.

Series

Sale price

$1899

The Banana-Leaf Ball

Ages 4–8 · 2017

In a refugee camp, soccer unites children, transforming fear into friendship.

Sale price

$899

Drummer Hoff

Ages 6–9 · 1967

Seven soldiers build a cannon, but who will fire it?

View all wars picture books

Browse by age

Wars Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about wars for developing and independent readers.

#2 in Series

Ember Falls

2016

Two young rabbits face a tyrant threatening their resistance's survival.

#3 in Series

Sale price

$899

World War II

Ages 8–12 · 2016

Uncover the epic battles and secret missions that defined World War II.

Series

Sale price

$799

The Iliad

Ages 7–9 · 2014

The Trojan War rages on as the gods intervene and the greatest heroes clash in battle

#1 in Series

Sale price

$699

The Winglets Quartet

Ages 8–12 · 2020

Uncover hidden truths in Pyrrhia as dragons face obsession, loyalty, and captivity.

Series

Sale price

$699

World War II

Ages 7–9 · 2017

This book tells the story of World War II, from its beginnings to its end.

#59 in Series

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$999

The Death of Portgaz D. Ace

Ages 14–18 · 2010

A pirate's quest for the ultimate treasure leads to heartbreak and a world-shaking war.

Series

Sale price

$1799

Pax, Journey Home

Ages 8–12 · 2021

Separated by war, a boy and his fox seek healing and reunion.

#2 in Series

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$1299

Avatar: The Last Airbender (Graphic Novel)

Ages 8–11 · 2012

Aang and Katara try to convince the Earth King to meet with Fire Lord Zuko to discuss the fate of the Fire Nation colonies in the Earth Kingdom, while Toph tries to teach her students metalbending