This post is your comprehensive guide to good books about World War 2.
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World War 2 is a fascinating time period to teach in our homeschool. There are so many aspects of this time period in history, that it is easy to only get a high level overview of this pivotal time in the history of the world.
As a homeschooled kid growing up, I had plenty of access to movies and good books about World War 2. This was my parents’ favorite time period to learn about, and I will admit that I wasn’t very interested in good books about World War 2 as a kid.
What got me fascinated with this time period was learning about the holocaust and the birth of Israel as a nation. I have always been a Bible theology nerd (I did Bible college in high school) and the forming of the nation of Israel, a direct result of World War 2, was written directly on the pages of the old testament prophets. But this is just one of many aspects of World War 2. There are plenty of others as this one big war was the result of many wars on a global scale.
If your kids have an interest in this time period, or even if they don’t, adding some of these good books about World War 2 can liven up any history curriculum. Let your kids find good books about World War 2 to chase down an interest in one aspect of this complicated historical period, or to get a high level overview.
In this post you will find good books about World War 2, historical fiction books about World War 2, and non fiction books about World War 2.
This post is all about Good Books About World War 2.
Historical Fiction Books About World War 2
Picture Books and Early Readers
Hanna’s Cold Winter by Trish Marx
This is one of my favorite picture books of all time! Based in Budapest, this book tells the story of how people came together to save their beloved zoo hippos during the winter, while their supply lines were cut off.
The Little Ships: The Heroic Rescue at Dunkirk in World War II by Louise Borden
This beautifully illustrated picture book tells the story of the Dunkirk evacuation from the perspective of a young girl who helps with the rescue efforts.
The Butterfly by Patricia Polacco
A touching story based on true events, where a young girl discovers that her family is hiding a Jewish girl during the German occupation of France.
Chapter Books and Middle Grade Novels
A Father’s Promise by Donna L. Hess
I read this book in sixth grade, and loved it so much that my mom saved it. It is now on my bookshelf for my own kids to read. In general, I was not that interested in World War 2 at that age, but this was such an intense and adventurous book.
A Father’s Promise was published by BJU Press back when I was a kid, and they are still publishing it to this day. This is one I highly recommend reading in your homeschool.
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
This Newbery Medal-winning book follows a young Danish girl who helps her Jewish friend escape the Nazis. A great book that every kid should read at some point.
The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Set during WWII, this story revolves around a young girl with a clubfoot who is evacuated from London to the English countryside, finding freedom and self-worth.
I Survived the Bombing of Pearl Harbor, 1941 by Lauren Tarshis
Part of the popular I Survived series, this book provides a gripping account of the Pearl Harbor attack through the eyes of a young boy. My youngest loved this series and learned more history from reading I Survived than from any homeschool history curriculum.
Lily’s Crossing by Patricia Reilly Giff
A story set during the summer of 1944, following a young girl named Lily and her friendship with a Hungarian refugee.
Shadow on the Mountain by Margi Preus
Inspired by the true story of a Norwegian boy during World War II, this novel follows the adventures of a young resistance fighter as he helps sabotage Nazi operations in his homeland. It’s a story of courage, loyalty, and the fight for freedom.
Good Books on World War 2 for Middle School
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
A poignant story about the friendship between a German boy and a Jewish boy through the fence of a concentration camp, offering a unique perspective on the Holocaust.
Based on the true story of a boy who survives ten different concentration camps, this novel provides a powerful look at the Holocaust.
Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two by Joseph Bruchac
The story of a Navajo boy who becomes a code talker for the U.S. Marines, using his native language to communicate secretly in battle.
The Devil’s Arithmetic by Jane Yolen
A time-travel novel where a modern Jewish girl is transported back to a Polish concentration camp, offering a stark and emotional portrayal of the Holocaust.
After the Train by Gloria Whelan
A story about a boy named Peter who discovers that his family’s history is connected to the Holocaust. As he uncovers the truth, he learns about the horrors of the past and the importance of remembering history.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Narrated by Death, this novel follows Liesel Meminger, a young girl in Nazi Germany who steals books and shares them with others. As the war unfolds, Liesel’s love of words becomes her refuge and her weapon.
Advanced Historical Fiction
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel intertwines the lives of a blind French girl and a German soldier during the war, highlighting the human side of the conflict.
Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys
Historical fiction following four young people whose lives converge in the final days of WWII, revolving around the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff.
Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
The story of a Lithuanian girl and her family who are deported to a Siberian work camp by the Soviets during WWII, highlighting a lesser-known aspect of the war.
Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
A gripping novel about two young women during World War II—one a British spy captured by the Nazis, and the other a pilot. The story is a tale of friendship, courage, and the harsh realities of war.
Set during World War II and its aftermath, this novel explores the friendship between two Jewish boys from different backgrounds. It delves into themes of faith, identity, and the challenges of growing up during a time of great change.
Non Fiction Books About World War 2
Early Elementary
Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot by Margot Theis Raven
This picture book tells the true story of a U.S. Air Force pilot who dropped candy to children during the Berlin Airlift. We enjoyed this as part of the old version of the Memorial Day pack from Beautiful Feet Books.
We love Curious George, but I never knew about this story until after I began homeschooling my own kids. This beautifully illustrated book tells the remarkable true story of the creators of Curious George, who fled Paris on bicycles just before the Nazis occupied the city, bringing along the manuscript of what would become the beloved Curious George.
Upper Elementary
The Upstairs Room by Johanna Reiss
A memoir of a Jewish girl hiding from the Nazis in the Netherlands during World War II.
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr
The poignant true story of Sadako Sasaki, a young Japanese girl who developed leukemia from the Hiroshima bombing and aimed to fold 1,000 paper cranes for peace and healing.
When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit by Judith Kerr
A semi-autobiographical story of a young Jewish girl and her family as they flee from Nazi Germany, providing a gentle yet insightful introduction to the topic.
Alias Anna: A True Story of Outwitting the Nazis by Susan Hood with Greg Dawson
The remarkable true story of a Jewish girl, Anna, who survived the Holocaust by hiding in plain sight as a Ukrainian girl. It’s a tale of cunning, courage, and the will to survive.
Middle School Non Fiction Books on World War 2
Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon by Steve Sheinkin
This non-fiction book details the scientific and military efforts to create the atomic bomb, blending history and science in an engaging narrative. My oldest read this book as part of Beautiful Feet’s Modern American and World History Pack.
A harrowing autobiographical account of Wiesel’s experiences in the Nazi concentration camps, offering a profound reflection on the horrors of the Holocaust.
High School Non Fiction Books About World War 2
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand
The incredible true story of Louis Zamperini, an Olympic athlete and WWII bombardier who survived being shot down, drifting at sea, and imprisonment in Japanese POW camps.
The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
The classic, first-person account of a Jewish girl hiding from the Nazis in Amsterdam, providing an intimate and powerful perspective on the Holocaust.
The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom
A memoir of a Dutch woman who, along with her family, helped Jews escape the Nazis and was later imprisoned in a concentration camp herself.
The Second World War by Winston Churchill
A comprehensive history of World War II, written by one of its key figures, Winston Churchill. The abridged version is more accessible for students, offering insights into the war from a leader’s perspective.
FDR and the American Crisis by Albert Marrin
A biography of Franklin D. Roosevelt, focusing on his leadership during the Great Depression and World War II. The book explores his policies, challenges, and impact on the world stage.
A biography of Adolf Hitler, examining his rise to power, the ideology of the Nazi Party, and the impact of his leadership on World War II and the Holocaust. It’s a critical look at one of history’s most infamous figures.
Stalin: Russia’s Man of Steel by Albert Marrin
A biography of Joseph Stalin, exploring his role in World War II and the Soviet Union’s transformation into a superpower. The book delves into Stalin’s ruthless policies and their impact on millions of lives.
Uprooted: The Japanese American Experience During World War II by Albert Marrin
This book explores the experiences of Japanese-Americans during World War II, focusing on their internment in camps across the United States. It’s a sobering look at a dark chapter in American history.
Victory in the Pacific by Albert Marrin
An account of the Pacific Theater during World War II, focusing on the battles, strategies, and key figures involved.
Additional World War 2 Resources for All Ages
Reference Books and Compilations
DK Eyewitness Books: World War II
A visually engaging reference book with photographs, maps, and detailed explanations suitable for a wide range of ages.
World War II for Kids: A History with 21 Activities by Richard Panchyk
This interactive book includes historical accounts, photographs, and activities to help children understand the war in a hands-on way.
This post is all about good books about World War 2.
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