World War 2 books for children and teens

World War 2 books for children and teens

Children’s, young adult and teen books about WW2.  This list contains 80 titles, exploring a diverse range of 1939-1945 topic areas including D-Day, the Holocaust, the Manhattan Project, evacuation, the Blitz, spies and codebreaking at Bletchley Park, the role of women in the war, the Battle of Britain, and the aftermath of the war. There’s a range of fiction, nonfiction, true stories, picture books, graphic novels, poetry and diaries suitable for school libraries, independent reading and teaching in KS2, KS3 and KS4. This list features books by Michael Rosen, Nina Bawden, Bali Rai, Tom Palmer, Emma Carroll, Sufiya Ahmed, Liz Kessler, Mal Peet, Michael Morpurgo, Anne Frank and Ruta Sepetys.

World War 2 books for children and teens – our recommendations

World War 2 fiction books for 7-11 year olds

Saving Hanno: A Refugee Boy and His Dog by Miriam Halahmy and Karin Littlewood.

The Valley of Lost Secrets by Lesley Parr.

D-Day Dog by Tom Palmer and Tom Clohosy Cole.

After the War: From Auschwitz to Ambleside by Tom Palmer and Violet Tobacco.

Carrie’s War by Nina Bawden.

The Machine Gunners by Robert Westall.

Resist by Tom Palmer

Set in the village of Velp the Netherlands during the WW2 Nazi occupation, ‘Resist’ follows teenage Edda as she feels compelled to help the resistance in the face of oppressive control, arrests and starvation. Based on the experiences of Audrey Hepburn, this is a thought-provoking read, and an ideal text to discuss with Year 6 classes studying WW2, the Holocaust and Anne Frank. Full of warmth, empathy, emotion and determination, Resist is a fast-moving and gripping page-turner that will inspire KS2 readers to read more historical fiction.

When we were Warriors by Emma Carroll.

The Silver Sword by Ian Serraillier.

Friend or Foe by Michael Morpurgo.

The Emergency Zoo by Miriam Halahmy.

Arctic Star by Tom Palmer and Tom Clohosy Cole.

The Children of Willesden Lane by Mona Golabek and Lee Cohen.

The Hunt For David Berman by Claire Mulligan

Set in WW2, Robert is evacuated to a remote Scottish farm to live with his grandparents. But unbeknown to him, hidden in his suitcase is a secret codebook, and it’s so important Nazi agents will kill for it. The plot moves with purpose and conviction and the 29 thrilling short chapters make this book ideal for reading aloud to a KS2 class each day over half a term.

Rosie Raja: Churchill’s Spy by Sufiya Ahmed.

Safiyyah’s War by Hiba Noor Khan.

Mohinder’s War by Bali Rai.

Shadow Creatures by Chris Vick

Inspired by Chris Vick’s family recollections, Shadow Creatures recounts the experiences of Tove and Liva, young sisters during the German WW2 occupation of Norway. Secrets, suspicion, and mistrust abound as an idyllic childhood setting is transformed into a dark prisoner-of-war camp. The lucid narrative explores themes of bravery, family dynamics, and war’s impact on childhood. 9+ year olds will become immersed in the historical context and the main characters’ unrelenting resilience. An ideal class reader for UKS2.

Spitfire by Tom Palmer and David Shephard.

Nisha’s War by Dan Smith.

When the Sky Falls by Phil Earle.

The Book Cat by Polly Faber

This charming illustrated novel features Morgan, a cat who finds himself a home at Faber & Faber, the renowned London publishers. As WW2 develops and London is bombed in the Blitz, Morgan takes charge and makes plans to lead all the other cats to safety. With an accessible font, short chapters and engaging illustrations, this will be a useful text for teachers of reluctant readers in upper KS2 who are studying WW2 as a topic.

Hide and Seek by Rhian Tracey

Ned thinks his future as a funeral parlour worker is set in stone. But when war breaks out, he follows his mother to Wales on a top-secret mission to protect the nation’s priceless artwork. This compelling story blends wartime adventure with suspicious local characters, impending danger and themes of loyalty. Well-researched, 9-11-year-olds will learn about key historical events and relate to the highly convincing characters. Teachers will find Hide and Seek an ideal class text to read as part of a World War 2 cross-curricular teaching unit or to use for hotseating and discussing character empathy. Highly recommended. Read our full review.

The Dollmaker of Krakow by R. M. Romero.

I am David by Anne Holm.

The Buried Crown by Ally Sherrick.

Poems from the Second World War by Gaby Morgan.

Bombs and Blackberries: A World War Two Play by Julia Donaldson and Thomas Docherty.

Once by Morris Gleitzman.

The Umbrella Mouse by Anna Fargher

Set in World War 2, Pip Hanway – a mouse – flees from the bombing to search for a new home. No longer able to live in the umbrella shop, the rodent joins a secretive resistance called Noah’s Ark. This is an original take on the WW2 genre, and the ambitious scope and pace will result make this a captivating read for children aged 9-11 in years 4-6.

World War 2 fiction for young adults and teens aged 11-16

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein.

When The World Was Ours by Liz Kessler.

The Blossom and the Firefly by Sherri L. Smith.

Book Thief by Markus Zusak.

Caging Skies by Christine Leunens.

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry.

The Secrets Act by Alison Weatherby

This mesmerizing novel follows Pearl and Ellen, two teenagers who are working at the super-secret Bletchley Park during WW2. Ellen cracks codes and Pearl delivers messages, but both find themselves drawn together and thrust headlong into a world of intrigue, treachery and spies – a dangerous puzzle that they might not be able to solve in time. A fascinating and original historical novel for young adults, The Secrets Act is highly recommended for year 9 pupils.

Operation Blackout by Victor Watson.

Red Stars by Davide Morosinotto.

Auslander by Paul Dowswell.

Duty Calls: Battle of Britain by James Holland.

Wolf Children by Paul Dowswell.

Tamar: Love, Espionage and Betrayal by Mal Peet.

Waiting for Anya by Michael Morpurgo.

Empire of the Sun by J. G. Ballard.

The Faithful Spy: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Plot to Kill Hitler by John Hendrix.

Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys.

The Bridge On The River Kwai by Pierre Boulle.

White Eagles by Elizabeth Wein.

World War 2 diaries and memoirs

The Diary of a Young Girl: The Definitive Edition by Anne Frank (YA edition).

The Diary of Anne Frank (Abridged for 9-12 year old young readers) by Anne Frank.

The Boy on the Wooden Box (YA readers) by Leon Leyson.

I Saw A Beautiful Woodpecker: The Diary of a Young Boy at the Outbreak World War II by Michał Skibiński and Ala Bankroft

When a teacher sets 8 year old Michał Skibiński a holiday homework task to improve his handwriting, the young boy keeps to his task religiously – entering one sentence in his diary each day. Beginning in July 15 1939, Michał writes about visiting a nearby stream, going to church and finding a caterpillar. But on July 27th he writes of seeing a plane circling, and by September 3rd he is hiding from planes and bombs.

World War 2 picture books

One Day: A True Story of Courage and Survival in the Holocaust by Michael Rosen

In One Day, Michael Rosen shares the remarkable true story of Eugène Handschuh and his father, who escaped a Nazi convoy bound for Auschwitz during WWII. After several failed attempts, they find freedom with help from the French Resistance. Illustrated by Benjamin Phillips, this exceptional large format picture book highlights courage, compassion, and resilience. Aimed at upper primary aged children, it offers a sensitive introduction to Holocaust history, with Rosen providing valuable historical context for deeper understanding and discussion. Highly recommended.

Anne Frank by Josephine Poole and Angela Barrett.

Rose Blanche by Ian McEwan and Roberto Innocenti.

Tail-End Charlie by Mick Manning and Brita Granstrom.

BLITZ One Family’s War by Martin Impey

This illustrated story brings wartime London vividly to life, following a family’s journey through the chaos of World War II – from its outbreak to the relentless nightly air raids. With 247 detailed illustrations, Martin Impey captures the resilience of East End communities during the Blitz. Both poignant and educational, the book offers a window into the struggles and spirit of the time, making it a brilliant way to introduce children to this pivotal moment.

World War 2 graphic novels

Between Shades of Gray: The Graphic Novel by Ruta Sepetys.

The Complete MAUS by Art Spiegelman.

The Bomb: The Weapon That Changed the World by Didier Alcante, Laurent-Frederic Bollee and Denis Rodier.

Peter in Peril by Helen Bate

Peter’s life is flipped upside down as his family is forced to flee persecution in WW2 Hungary. This approachable, highly visual graphic novel is suitable for less confident KS2 readers. It’s also a great companion piece to Judith Kerr’s When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit.

White Bird by R J Palacio.

The Librarian of Auschwitz: The Graphic Novel by Antonio Iturbe and Loreto Aroca.

They Called Us Enemy by George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott and Harmony Becker.

World War 2 nonfiction and true stories

Please Write Soon: The Unforgettable Story of Two Cousins in World War II by Michael Rosen and Michael Foreman.

My Secret War Diary, by Flossie Albright by Marcia Williams.

The Lion And The Unicorn by Shirley Hughes.

See Inside The Second World War by Rob Lloyd Jones and Maria Cristina Prite.

The Extraordinary Life of Alan Turing by Michael Lee Richardson and Freda Chiu.

Seen and Unseen: What Dorothea Lange, Toyo Miyatake, and Ansel Adams’s Photographs Reveal About the Japanese American Incarceration by Elizabeth Partridge and Lauren Tamaki.

Everything World War II by National Geographic Kids

Highly recommended for years 5&6, this comprehensive non-fiction text covers Britain during WW2 with a thematic approach: Under Attack, At Home, The Turn of the Tide and Winning the War. There’s also a useful find out more section and interactive glossary with answers. The “At Home” section, covering evacuation, rationing, dig for victory, land girls, factories, the Blitz and the ‘Yanks’ will be particularly useful for topic teaching where pupils are reading a WW2 based novel, such as Carrie’s War, Goodnight Mister Tom or Machine Gunners.

Utterly Unbelievable: WWII in Facts by Adam Frost.

Adventures in Time: The Second World War by Dominic Sandbrook.

Introduction to the Second World War by Paul Dowswell.

You Wouldn’t Want To Be A Second World War Evacuee by Simon Smith and David Antram.

Skyward: The Story of Female Pilots in WW2 by Sally Deng.

World War II Visual Encyclopedia by DK.

The Missing: The True Story of My Family in World War II by Michael Rosen

This moving collection of poems and recollections tells the story of what happened to the relatives of Michael Rosen that went missing during WW2. Powerful and accessible, these accounts will allow pupils to understand and relate to the effects of the Holocaust, and the poems provide opportunities for discussion and deeper thought. This is an important resource for teachers of KS2 and KS3 history. Highly recommended.

The National Archives: World War II: The Story Behind the War that Divided the World by Nick Hunter.

Woeful Second World War by Terry Deary and Martin Brown.

Blitzed Brits by Terry Deary and Kate Sheppard.

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World War 2 resources for teachers

• The UK National Archives offers an interactive site including Holocaust lesson plans, Kindertransport resources, and the plot to assassinate Hitler.
• Author Tom Palmer’s website features free downloadable chapters, posters, teaching activities and videos based on his books D-Day Dog, Spitfire, After the War, Arctic Star and Resist.
• STEM learning has put together a series of free WW2-related activities including learning how the Army and Navy used Morse code, looking at how a periscope works, and how Barnes Wallace used air resistance calculations to develop his bouncing bomb.
• The United States National Archives has created a superb collection of primary sources and teaching activities for secondary-aged students. Topics covered include Pearl Harbor, women in WW2, political cartoons and satire, examining key speeches, discrimination, the Holocaust and the Manhattan Project.
• The Imperial War Museum’s website explores the impact of the war on society and people; covering rationing, writing letters and the Home Front.
• For secondary schools, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the Holocaust Educational Trust (UK) both provide a vast repository of useful resources, materials and videos for teachers to use in the classroom.
• Historical Associations’s website features a range of articles covering wartime propaganda, children in wartime, WW2 medals, and the Blitz.