9 Powerful WWII Books for Kids
World War II is a very difficult time in our history and an even more difficult topic to discuss with kids. This list of WWII books for kids addresses this difficult topic in a way that is perfect for kids to understand.
These books are powerful stories that will allow your kids to learn about WWII with sensitivity. You’ll find both fiction and non-fiction options on this list.
*the WWII book for kids Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some books have been gifted. All opinions are our own.
Holocaust WWII Books for Kids
Number the Stars
Author: Lois Lowry
Year: 2004
Genre: Middle Grade Historical Fiction
Age: 9+
More info: Newbery Medal Winner
Plot
This Newbery Medal Winning book takes place during WWII in Denmark. It emphasizes the small miracles that took place in order to save Denmark’s Jewish population by focusing on the story of Ellen and Annemarie. When the Nazis came to town, Jewish Ellen moved in with Annemarie, pretending to be a member of her family.
Trigger Warnings
Antisemitism, Genocide
Why Jackie loves it
This is a very powerful middle-grade historical fiction that I think every child should read. This book captured so much emotion, the beauty of friendship, and the power of kindness all while avoiding bringing in gruesome facts about the war.
Find this book in: WWII Books for Kids / Books for 11-year-olds / Newbery Award Winners
The Librarian of Auschwitz
Author: Antonia Itrube
Year: 2017
Genre: Middle Grade Historical Fiction
Age Range: 8 – 12
Plot
This is based on the story of Dita Kraus who was a 14-year-old girl when she went to Auschwitz. She worked as the “librarian” in the children’s block. The book gives an in-depth look at the day-to-day survival of people in the camp and is ultimately about bravery and real-life heroes.
Trigger Warnings
Antisemitism, Genocide
Why Jackie loves it
The book is difficult to read because of the subject matter. The librarian in this book is completely unique because of her circumstances and age. I love that this powerful story is geared toward middle-grade readers; however, adult readers will love this books as well..
Find this book in: Books About Books / WWII Books for Kids / Books About The Holocaust
Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank: The Definitive Edition
Author: Anne Frank
Year: 1997
Genre: Nonfiction
More info: “The Single most compelling personal account of the Holocaust” (The New York Times Book Review)
Age Range: 12+
Plot
This is the quintessential book about the Holocaust written by Anne Frank, a Jewish girl in hiding during WWII. Although she did not live to see freedom, her father survived as did the diary that she kept during her years of hiding.
This is a powerful book that captures the neverending capacity for hope in the human spirit. After all, Anne said it best when she said “in spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart”. The words are a powerful reminder about the human spirit.
Trigger Warnings
Death, holocaust
Why Kirsten loves it
The message that Anne passes along in this diary is one that we can all learn from. Anne’s words are powerful and thoughtful.
Why Jackie loves it
There are really no words to say about this book. Love is not the correct word for how I feel. This book should be required reading for everyone. Anne somehow remained positive despite the danger she faced, the isolation and hunger.
Find this book in: WWII Books / Best Books by Jewish Writers / Best Books for a 12-Year-Old / Epistolary Novels / Best Books in Translation
Plot
This historical fiction book for teens was such an unexpected beauty for me. Books about the Holocaust are most often inherently extremely heavy. I love the way this book is a fairy tale retelling of Briar Rose (AKA Sleeping Beauty) that turns it into a story about the Holocaust.
Rebecca grew up hearing her grandmother’s version of Sleeping Beauty. Now, her grandmother’s dying wish is for Rebecca to uncover her true story.
Trigger Warnings
Genocide, Antisemitism, Death
Why Kirsten loves it
It does not trivialize the atrocities of that time but rather, it makes the subject more approachable to a younger audience. Beautifully written and well done. This is one of the books for a 13-year-old that adults will love and a must-read from WWII books for kids!
Find this book in: Coming-of-Age Books for Teens / Fairy Tale Retellings / Books about the Holocaust / Classic Book Retellings / Fun Books for Teens
For more books like these, check out our list of Holocaust Books!
WWII Books for Kids
White Bird
Author: R. J. Palacio
Year: 2019
Genre: Historical Fiction Graphic Novel
More info: New York Times Bestseller
Age Range: 9+
Plot
White Bird is a story about Grandmère set in the Wonder universe. It tells the story of her young childhood as a young Jewish girl in Nazi-occupied France and how someone she once bullied saved her during WWII. Grandmère tells Julian the story over the course of Palacio’s debut graphic novel in a way that is so moving.
Trigger Warnings
Antisemitism
Why Jackie loves it
This graphic novel came my way through my local bookstore and it was a beautiful surprise for me. I loved Wonder. The story was told beautifully and with compassion. I wondered if I would be disappointed with how a story about the holocaust would translate into a graphic novel and whether the story could be told with an equal amount of compassion. Happily, I was not disappointed at all. It is so poignant and powerful with a message of kindness that is so relevant today.
Find this book in: Full Cast Audiobooks / WWII Books for Kids / Books with Color in the Title / Best Books for 13-year-olds
Plot
This magical realism book is narrated by Death. Death tells the story of Liesel, a young girl in Nazi Germany in 1939. Liesel is living with her foster parents and learning to read from stolen books. She also shares these books with the Jewish man who is hiding in her basement.
Trigger Warnings
Death, Antisemitism, War
Why Kirsten loves it
This book is a brilliant, powerful, poignant, and unforgettable look at Nazi Germany. It’s becoming part of many school curriculums for good reason. I’ve never read a story that encapsulates life for ordinary children during this harrowing time in history.
Find this book in: WWII Books for Kids / YA Historical Fiction Books / Books about the Holocaust / Coming-of-age Books for Teens
The War That Saved My Life
Author: Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Year: 2015
Genre: Historical Fiction
Age: 9+
More info: The War That Saved My Life #1, Newbery Honor Book, Winner of the Schneider Family Book Award
Plot
Ada is a 10-year-old girl who lives in a one-room world gazing at the world from one window. She was born with a club foot and teaches herself to walk in secret. When the children who lived in London were evacuated to the country at the start of WW2, Ada escapes her abusive mother and leaves London with her little brother.
Ada thrives in the countryside on Susan’s farm and watching her grow is a pleasure. As Susan bonds with Ada and her brother, she starts to wonder what will happen when she returns to London.
Trigger Warnings
War, Child Abuse
Why Jackie loves it
I read this realistic fiction book in a few hours and immediately ordered the sequel The War I Finally Won. It is a story of love and survival in the face of overwhelming obstacles that is emotionally crafted and brilliantly written.
Find this book in: WWII Books for Kids / Coming-of-Age Books for Teens / Best Books for a 12-year-old / Newbery Award Winners
The Dollmaker of Krakow
Author: R. M. Romero
Year: 2017
Genre: Historical Middle Grade Magical Realism
Age Range: 8 -12
Plot
Karolina is a living doll who finds herself lost from her own land and somehow in Poland right at the cusp of WWII. She finds herself befriending the Dollmaker and getting him to open his heart to those around him. Soon Karolina and the Dollmaker are trying to protect their new Jewish friends from the dangers of the Nazi regime.
Trigger Warnings
War, Antisemitism
Why Kirsten loves it
The magical realism of the book makes the content a bit easier to read for younger kids.
Find this book in: WWII Books for Kids / Best Books for 9-year-olds
Code Girls: The Untold Story of the American Women Code Breakers of World War II
Author: Liza Mundy
Year: 2018
Genre: Young Adult Nonfiction
Age: 9 – 13
Plot
This fascinating book tells the story of the code girls, the women who worked to decode messages during WWII. They worked incredibly hard to save the men on the frontlines, yet their work has been largely overlooked. Mundy shines a light on their story, which was almost lost completely.
Why Kirsten loves it
It was a truly fascinating read! I loved finding out about the trials and tribulations of the real-life heroes of the war. I love the kids version of the same WWII non-fiction book too.
Find this book in: WWII Books for Kids / Best Books for 13-year-olds
Plot
Max, a 11-year old Jewish boy from Berlin, is sent away from his parents to England. Now he will do whatever it takes to get back. He is accompanied by two immortal creatures in the shape of little men that only he can see – a kobold and a dybbuk.
After being brought to Lord Montagu to be fostered, he decides that he will do whatever it takes to protect his family and make it back to them. Thus, he begs Lord Montagu to send him back to Germany as a spy.
Trigger Warnings
Antisemitism, War
Why Jackie loves it
This is one of my favorite books, and the author too is amazing. It was hard to put it down and I’m very excited for the sequel.
Find this book in: Fantasy Books for Tweens / World War II Books for Kids / Best Books for 10-year-olds
Multi-Cast WWII Books for Kids
The Bletchley Riddle
Author: Ruth Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin
Year: 2024
Genre: Middle Grade Historical Fiction
Age: 10+
Plot
In 1940, Jakob and his sister Lizzie have always loved riddles and puzzles. Now, after becoming orphaned during the Nazi invasion of Poland, they live at Bletchley Park for the start of WWII. There, Jakob is working to crack the Nazi code while Lizzie is trying to find their missing mother, who she believes didn’t die in Poland.
As the siblings struggle to adjust to their new surroundings and the many secrets they need to keep, they also need to learn to trust one another and fix their broken bond. Along the way, an interesting cast of characters help them solve the puzzle of their missing mom.
Why Kirsten loves it
I could see this turning into a series of stories because the story has a somewhat open-ended conclusion. I really enjoyed this story with precocious Lizzie being one of my favorite characters of Sepetys’ to date. I’d love to see more of this dynamic duo and their quirky group of friends at Bletchley!
Find this book in: WWII Books for Kids / Giftable Books / Best New Children’s Books of 2024 / Books for 12-year-olds
Echo
Author: Pam Muñoz Ryan
Year: 2015
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
Age: 10 – 12
More info: Newbery Honor Book, New York Times Bestseller, Children’s Literature Legacy Award Winner
Plot
The story is three tales woven together in one with a magical harmonica at the center. The story follows a harmonica as it lands in the hands of Freidrich in Germany, Mike in Pennsylvania, and Ivy in California.
Part fairy tale and part historical fiction, this is one story that is amazing for middle grade and adults alike. Each child has their own adventure but the end brings the three stories together in a beautiful way.
Trigger Warnings
Racism, Antisemitism
Why Kirsten loves it
It’s not often that I find myself contemplating a middle grade story long after I have finished it, but I have thought of this one many times in the years since I read it. My children loved it just as much as I did when we listened to it during a road trip.
Why Jackie loves it
I listened to this feel-good book and it blew me away. The full-cast audiobook plays music so it is a full sensory experience. In our opinion, this story is best in audiobook format.
Find this book in: World War II Books for Kids / Magical Realism Books / Books for 11-Year-Olds / Audiobooks for Kids / Novels About Music / Newbery Award Winners
Refugee
Author: Alan Gratz
Year: 2017
Genre: Middle Grade Historical Fiction
Age: 10+
More info: New York Times Bestsellers
Plot
Three tales in one, this realistic fiction story is told in alternating chapters by three narrators.  The stories feature Josef, a Jewish refugee fleeing WWII Germany, Isabel a Cuban girl on her way to Miami in 1994, and Mahmoud a Syrian refugee seeking asylum in Germany in 2015. The chapters rotate between the three characters and their stories do connect at the end in a meaningful and moving way.
Trigger Warnings
War, Child Death
Why Kirsten loves it
The characters are all about 13 years old but shoulder burdens that would be hard for an adult to handle. Gratz accurately portrays each child’s struggle with both grace and clarity – not shying away from difficult emotions and even death.
Find this book in: Best Books for 11-year-olds / Realistic Fiction Books for Kids / Middle Grade Books for Tweens / Best Audiobooks of All Time / Best Books of 2017 / Books That Will Emotionally Wreck You / WWII Books for KidsÂ
Did you find a WWII book for kids to read? Let us know which one.
32 Best Books about WWII: Historical Fiction, Romance, and More!
This post is for older teens and adults
