The Best WWII Books for Young Readers
Introducing young readers to the Second World War means finding books that tell the truth without overwhelming — that respect a child's intelligence and their feelings at once. These are the modern classics that have done exactly that for a generation: an evacuee finding kindness in the countryside, a Danish girl helping her friend escape, a family fleeing Germany one step ahead of the Gestapo. Teachers and parents will know many of them; each is chosen for being honest, age-appropriate, and genuinely good.
Ranked by WarBooks editorial rating ★
- #1
The War That Saved My Life
★ 4.6Kimberly Brubaker Bradley · 2015 · 316 pages
Historical Fiction AccessibleA disabled girl escapes her abusive mother in the London evacuation and discovers, in wartime Kent, what care feels like.
- #2
Goodnight Mister Tom
★ 4.6Michelle Magorian · 1981 · 318 pages
Historical Fiction AccessibleA battered London evacuee is billeted on a gruff widower, and two broken people mend each other as the bombs begin.
- #3
Number the Stars
★ 4.5Lois Lowry · 1989 · 137 pages
Historical Fiction AccessibleTen-year-old Annemarie helps smuggle her Jewish best friend's family to Sweden during the rescue of the Danish Jews.
- #4
When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit
★ 4.4Judith Kerr · 1971 · 191 pages
Historical Fiction AccessibleNine-year-old Anna's family flees Germany the day before the 1933 election, one step ahead of the Gestapo.
- #5
Code Name Verity
★ 4.4Elizabeth Wein · 2012 · 339 pages
Historical Fiction AccessibleA captured British agent writes her confession for the Gestapo — a story of two girls, a Lysander, and what friendship costs.