Theme: World War II

My Family for the War

Before the start of World War II, ten-year-old Ziska Mangold, who has Jewish ancestors but has been raised as a Protestant, is taken out of Nazi Germany on one of the Kindertransport trains, to live in London with a Jewish family, where she learns about Judaism and endures the hardships of war while attempting to [...]

Descriptors: England (UK), Europe, Germany, Historical Fiction, Intermediate (ages 9-14) » Other Themes: , , , , , » Leave a comment

Soldier Bear

Based on a real series of events that happened during World War II, Soldier Bear tells the story of an orphaned bear cub adopted by a group of Polish soldiers in Iran. The soldiers raise the bear and eventually enlist him as a soldier to ensure that he stays with the company. He travels with [...]

Descriptors: Historical Fiction, Intermediate (ages 9-14), Iran, Italy » Other Themes: , , , , , , » Leave a comment

An Elephant in the Garden

Lizzie and Karl’s mother is a zoo keeper; the family has become attached to an orphaned elephant named Marlene, who will be destroyed as a precautionary measure so she and the other animals don’t run wild should the zoo be hit by bombs. The family persuades the zoo director to let Marlene stay in their [...]

Descriptors: Europe, Germany, Historical Fiction, Intermediate (ages 9-14) » Other Themes: , , , , , , , , » Leave a comment

Winter in Wartime

Near the end of World War II, 14-year-old Michiel becomes involved with the Resistance after coming to the aid of a wounded British soldier. With the conflict coming to an end, Michiel comes of age and learns the start difference between adventure fantasy and the ugly realities of war.

Descriptors: Europe, Historical Fiction, Intermediate (ages 9-14), Netherlands » Other Themes: , , , , » Leave a comment

The Project

It begins with a book, the most boring book in the world, a book so boring no one could ever read it—the perfect place to hide a dangerous secret. When best friends Luke and Tommy volunteer to help move books from their library’s basement to higher ground during a quick rising flood, they discover the [...]

Descriptors: Australia, Fantasy, Intermediate (ages 9-14) » Other Themes: , , , , » Leave a comment

The Other Half of Life

A heartbreaking novel based on the true story of a World War II voyage.In May of 1939, the SS St. Francis sets sail from Germany, carrying German Jews and other refugees away from Hitler’s regime. The passengers believe they are bound for freedom in Cuba and eventually the United States, but not all of them [...]

Descriptors: Caribbean, Cuba, Germany, Historical Fiction, Young Adult (ages 14-18) » Other Themes: , , , , , , , , » Leave a comment

The Lily Pond

A year after Stephie Steiner and her younger sister, Nellie, left Nazi-occupied Vienna, Stephie has finally adapted to life on the rugged Swedish island where she now lives. But more change awaits Stephie: her foster parents have allowed her to enroll in school on the mainland, in Goteberg. Stephie is eager to go. Not only [...]

Descriptors: Europe, Historical Fiction, Intermediate (ages 9-14), Sweden » Other Themes: , , , , , , , , , » Leave a comment

The Auslander

When Peter’s parents are killed, he is sent to an orphanage in Warsaw, Poland. But Peter is Volksdeutscher-of German blood. With his blond hair and blue eyes, he looks just like the boy on the Hitler Youth poster. The Nazis decide he is racially valuable. Indeed, a prominent German family is pleased to adopt such [...]

Descriptors: Europe, Germany, Historical Fiction, Intermediate (ages 9-14), Poland » Other Themes: , , , , , , , , , » Leave a comment

Ghosts in the Fog

Few know the story of the Japanese invasion of Alaska during World War II–until now.GHOSTS IN THE FOG is the first narrative nonfiction book for young adults to tell the riveting story of how the Japanese invaded and occupied the Aleutian Islands in Alaska during World War II. This fascinating little-known piece of American history [...]

Descriptors: Asia, Intermediate (ages 9-14), Japan, Nonfiction » Other Themes: , , , , , » Leave a comment

The Holocaust

Great Escapes presents gripping accounts of narrow escapes to iluminate historical events from a distinct, personal perspective from a Holocaust survivor.  

Descriptors: Europe, Intermediate (ages 9-14), Nonfiction, Poland » Other Themes: , , , , , , » Leave a comment