This is part of a series called 11 Lists of 11 Books. I have read all books unless otherwise noted.
Daniel's Story by Carol Matas - HolocaustPart Elie Wiesel and part Anne Frank, Daniel's Story is the story of young teenager Daniel. The chapters are divided into 4 chapters: Pictures of Frankfurt, Pictures of Lodz, Pictures of Auschwitz, and Pictures From Buchenwald. The story opens with 14 year old Daniel in a train, headed to a place no an unknown destination. Their journey from the Lodz Ghetto to death camp Auschwitz to concentration camp Buchenwald is told in an unflinching but age-appropriate manner. I really enjoyed this memoir, and it has a few good life lessons I really appreciated.
The USHMM (United States Holocaust Memorial Museum) created an exhibit dedicated to the children of the Holocaust, and they named it Daniel's Story, after the book. Although this exhibit is no longer available, it can be seen here.
The Boy Who Dared by Susan Campbell Bartoletti - German Resistance
Helmuth Hübener is my political hero. I love him so much, I featured him in my Ten World War II Heroes series. This is his fictional biography. Teenager Helmuth and two friends secretly created an anti-Nazi pamphlet and spread it all over Germany. This book gives an accurate portrayal on how he became involved in his own resistance, what he must have felt in prison, and the courage he had that so many other adults didn't.
Prisoner B-3087 by Alan Gratz and Jack Gruener - HolocaustIf I could meet any three living Holocaust survivors, Jack Gruener would be on this list. Jack (Yanek) Gruener survived a ghetto, two death marches - and ten concentration camps. (all before his 18th birthday)
What set this apart from every other Holocaust memoir/novel I've read was Jack's humanity. He never gives up despite overwhelming odds. He has multiple chances to steal from fellow inmates, but refuses to.
This book is a true story. To make it more interesting, Gratz added some fictional dialogue but the story as a whole is true. The parts I know are true include: Jack hiding in the barracks from Amon Göth, Jack surviving ten concentration camps, Jack asking the kapo for bread on a death march, and Jack surviving.
Willow Run by Patricia Reilly Giff - Home Front (America)
Willow Run was a real plant in Michigan during WWII that manufactured B-24 Liberator bombers. And it is the place 11 year-old Meggie has to live after her father gets a job there. Her brother is in the army and her uncle is German, making him a target for bullies. Meggie is a relatable, very real character with struggles, dreams, and fears.
Originally titled "The Silver Sword"
Joseph is sent to a prison camp for being anti-Nazi and his wife is deported to Germany. Joseph escapes and heads to Switzerland and sends his three children - Ruth, Edek, and Bronia - to meet him in Switzerland. The book is loosely based on a true story.
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne - Holocaust
I'll admit, this novel is unrealistic at times. I mean, the German son of a Nazi officer doesn't know who Hitler is, children use English words unrealistically, and two children would never be able to go near barbed wire in a concentration camp without getting shot. However, I believe it is the message Boyne conveys that makes this so powerful.
Eight year-old Bruno is enjoying his privileged life in Germany. When his family moves to Out-With, (Auschwitz, an infamous concentration camp) Bruno soon becomes bored and meets a young Jewish boy across the barbed-wire fence - Shmuel. Shmuel (Hebrew for "Samuel") is 8 as well, and the two become fast friends. Shmuel and Bruno are very similar, both are the exact same age, have the same birthday, both are sweet and innocent. Their only difference is they are of a different race.
Although not gory at all, this heartbreaking story's ending will shock you. The movie very closely matches to the book. I believe everyone should read this book or watch the movie. Never forget.
MAJOR SPOILER AND LESSON: In the end, young Bruno and Shmuel are both gassed as the two search for Shmuel's father. I strongly believe the message here is prejudice hurts everyone, not just the victim. The second message is hatred is taught. Children aren't born hating another person simply because of race.
Eight year-old Bruno is enjoying his privileged life in Germany. When his family moves to Out-With, (Auschwitz, an infamous concentration camp) Bruno soon becomes bored and meets a young Jewish boy across the barbed-wire fence - Shmuel. Shmuel (Hebrew for "Samuel") is 8 as well, and the two become fast friends. Shmuel and Bruno are very similar, both are the exact same age, have the same birthday, both are sweet and innocent. Their only difference is they are of a different race.
Although not gory at all, this heartbreaking story's ending will shock you. The movie very closely matches to the book. I believe everyone should read this book or watch the movie. Never forget.
MAJOR SPOILER AND LESSON: In the end, young Bruno and Shmuel are both gassed as the two search for Shmuel's father. I strongly believe the message here is prejudice hurts everyone, not just the victim. The second message is hatred is taught. Children aren't born hating another person simply because of race.
Behind the Bedroom Wall by Laura E. Williams - Holocaust
It's 1942. Korinna is one of millions of German children caught in the fanatical Hitler Youth. However, Korinna's parents couldn't disagree more with Hitler and his fanatical ideas - they have a Jewish family hidden in Korinna's bedroom wall. From a young age, Hitler Youth were encouraged to turn in anyone anti-Nazi, including their own parents. Will Korinna turn her parents in, or will they get caught on their own? If they do, what happens to Korinna?
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry - Danish Resistance
This Newbery Winner tells the story of the Danish Resistance. In real life, the Danish Resistance rescued 99% of its Jewish population. This story is about the fictional Annemarie Johansen, who helps her Jewish friend and neighbor Ellen escape to the neutral Sweden. A great story of courage!
Lily's Crossing by Patricia Reilly Giff - America
Growing up on the home front, ten-year-old Lily has the perfect life. Until her father is drafted. Sent away to live with her grandmother, Lily meets young refugee, Albert, and the two become friends. Conflict centers on Lily's bad habit, lying. Patricia Reilly Giff is a very talented writer and how Lily's story unfolds is both interesting and unique.
Run, Boy, Run by Uri Orlev - Holocaust
Could your 8 year-old self live in a forest - alone - undercover - and with only one arm?
Srulik is a young Jew who goes undercover as a Pole. He faces many challenges - finding food, avoiding anti-Semitism, the Nazis, the harsh Polish winters. As if that wasn't hard enough, this courageous 8 year-old loses his arm in an accident. Genesis 17 was a major problem for all Jewish boys in hiding. Surlik, like every other Jewish male, is circumcised. This comes up quite a few times in the story, along with a few profanities. Taking this out, this is a fantastic novel. Oh, and did I mention it is based on a true story?
Farewell to Manzaner by Jeanne Houston - Japanese Internment Camps
The Journal of Ben Uchida, citizen #13559, Mirror Lake, California - a Dear America Book
Both of these books cover Japanese internment camps, and both of these are fiction. I haven't read either of these, but have heard nothing but positive feedback on both. If you've read these, let me know what you think!
Run, Boy, Run by Uri Orlev - Holocaust
Could your 8 year-old self live in a forest - alone - undercover - and with only one arm?
Srulik is a young Jew who goes undercover as a Pole. He faces many challenges - finding food, avoiding anti-Semitism, the Nazis, the harsh Polish winters. As if that wasn't hard enough, this courageous 8 year-old loses his arm in an accident. Genesis 17 was a major problem for all Jewish boys in hiding. Surlik, like every other Jewish male, is circumcised. This comes up quite a few times in the story, along with a few profanities. Taking this out, this is a fantastic novel. Oh, and did I mention it is based on a true story?
Farewell to Manzaner by Jeanne Houston - Japanese Internment Camps
The Journal of Ben Uchida, citizen #13559, Mirror Lake, California - a Dear America Book
Both of these books cover Japanese internment camps, and both of these are fiction. I haven't read either of these, but have heard nothing but positive feedback on both. If you've read these, let me know what you think!
Other WWII novels for the age range that I have read but weren't my top favorites include:
- Once by Morris Gleitzman (I've read the sequels are better)
- Snow Treasure by McSwigan (great plot, okay writing style)
-When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit by Judith Kerr (slow, but good)
I happen to read more WWII nonfiction than WWII fiction.
What are your favorite WWII fiction novels for the designated age range?
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