50 of The Best World War II Books for Middle Schoolers

Are you wondering what the best World War II Books for middle schoolers are? Look no further! I’ve got you covered!

I remember learning about World War II in high school and the atrocities and complexities of it all were shocking. Folks, this is a heavy topic. So, when my 12-year-old son showed an interest in the war, I was worried. I mean, we totally follow our children’s interests, and this is a big-time interest for my kiddo.

Like, he is obsessed.

This is an important topic and I wanted my son to understand the war in an age-appropriate way without delving too deep into the details and the brutality until he was ready. 

Today I am sharing all the wonderful books we discovered as we dove into World War II.

You’ll find both fiction and nonfiction in this list as well as chapter books, historical novels, and even a couple of picture books.

Some books are loaded with facts while others convey messages of standing up against prejudice and bullying, tolerance of differences, and making sacrifices for family, friends, and neighbors all woven together with wonderful storytelling. 

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50 of The Best World War II Books for Middle Schoolers

Each week this spring we went to the library.

It’s our thing.

And each week my son and I looked for more World War II books. Some books I put on hold because of great reviews. Others we discovered via the librarian or through our own searches up and down the aisles. Still, others we own. We didn’t gather them all at once, but each week we dove a little deeper and explored a little further.

These deep dives and interest led studies are how we cover history. So, it happened that he would dive a little into the war and then come up for air, so to speak. Each dive was a little deeper.

World War II is a difficult topic folks. I wanted to make sure we used a variety of resources and books to help give a well-rounded view of the war. I also wanted to avoid any disturbing visuals that my sensitive guy was not ready for as well as focusing on the good and the heroes that stood against the horrible things happening at that time. We paired these books with the Homeschool in the Woods Time Travelers: World War II study as well as documentaries and other resources. My son also participated in several Outschool classes that he really enjoyed: World War II Film & Documentaries for ages 10-15 and 52 Weeks of World War II History for ages 7-12.

*I have added the recommended ages for each book. You know your child best; therefore, please pre-read and use your best judgment when it comes to what you think they are ready for.*

World War II Books for Kids

World War II for Kids: A History with 21 Activities was used as our spine as we studied World War II. This is an excellent book filled with 21 hands-on activities!

Recommended for ages 9 and up

World War II: Visual Encyclopedia is a wonderful visual encyclopedia with age-appropriate text and images. This was the perfect starting point for our WWII study. My son sat for hours reading and then re-reading this visual guide!

Recommended for ages 9-12

Simple History: A simple guide to World War II by Daniel Turner gives simple facts about World War II from differing experiences including American, German, British, Russian, Italian, and Japanese. 

Recommended for ages 7-18

Horrible Histories: History is told in a humorous way with Horrible Histories and my son has enjoyed the series for years. This is a great series for reluctant readers as well.

• Woeful Second World War

• The Blitzed Brits

Recommended for ages 8-12

Books About World War II

Who Was?/What Was? Books: this is a great series of books for middle grades and there are several that dive into the people and events dealing with WWII.

• What Was D-Day?
• What Was Pearl Harbor?
• What Was the Holocaust?
• Who Was Anne Frank? My son learned that he shares the same birthday as Anne Frank!
• Who Was Franklin Roosevelt?
• Who Was Winston Churchill?
• Who were the Tuskegee Airmen?

Recommended for ages 8-12

 

You Wouldn’t Want to Be a Secret Agent During World War II! by John Malam explores what life was like for secret agents in France during World War II.

Recommended for ages 8-12

You Wouldn’t Want to Be a World War II Pilot! by Ian Graham explores the hazards of being a Royal Air Force pilot during WWII. 

Recommended for ages 8-12

The Attack on Pearl Harbor by Peter Benoit gives details leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbor, and the ensuing reaction of the Unites States both in the Pacific and the home front.

Recommended for ages 9-12

World War II Books for Middle School

World War II Resistance Fighters by Matt Doeden was a wonderful read for learning about the persons and organizations that creatively fought to oppose the Nazis while helping the allies and the oppressed.

Recommended for ages 8-12

The Soviet Night Witches: Brave Women Bomber Pilots of World War II by Pamela Jain Dell told the tale of the brave Soviet women who flew over 30,000 missions for the war effort.

Recommended for ages 6-8

Navajo Code Talkers by Stuart A. Kallen was a great introduction to the heroic Navajo who helped the Allies with their unbreakable code.

Recommended for ages 8-12

Raid of No Return: A World War II Tale of the Doolittle Raid by Nathan Hale is excellent! It is packed with information and excitement. The tale of army bombers, whose target was Tokyo, and all that they endured.

Recommended for ages 8-12

Dive! World War II Stories of Sailors & Submarines in the Pacific: The Incredible Story of U.S. Submarines in WWII by Deborah Hopkinson gives a unique look at the U.S. Submarine warfare in the Pacific.

Recommended for ages 8-12

I Survived Books is an exciting series that deals with different points in history. These are fast paced books that are perfect for reluctant readers or readers just introduced to historical fiction.

• the Nazi Invasion, 1944

• the Battle of D-Day, 1944

• the Bombing of Pearl Harbor, 1941

Recommended for ages 8-12

The Best World War II Books: Read Alouds and Audiobooks 

All these books were fantastic as read alouds or as audiobooks for middle grades. We found ourselves listening to them over lunch and then having wonderful conversations about history, geography, plot, and characters. Others, my son read on his own although I read them too. Then, we were still able to discuss the historical novels together.

World War II Books for Middle Grades

Twenty and Ten by Claire Huchet Bishop and Janet Joly is a short book. This was a wonderful World War II audiobook. We listened to the entire audible version in one afternoon. It is the story of twenty French children and their teacher living away in the countryside at school who decide to take in ten Jewish children to help protect them from the Nazis even at their own peril.

Recommended for ages 10 and up *My 6-year-old enjoyed this one too*

The Boy on the Wooden Box: How the Impossible Became Possible . . . on Schindler’s List by Leon Leyson is the only memoir of a former Schindler’s List child. It is told from the perspective of Leon, as a child, as he and his family go through the changes of living their daily lives as the Nazi’s take over. 

This is so, so good, folks. It gets you right in the feels and reminds us that there are always good even in the darkest of days.

Recommended for ages 9 and up

 

 

50 World War II Books

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is told from the point of view of Death! Liesel Meminger is a foster girl living outside of Munich. She scratches out a meager existence by stealing. One thing she can’t resist are books! She even reads her precious books aloud to others as they huddle in bomb shelters during air raids. This was a fantastic audible book!

Recommended ages 12 and up

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry is about the Danish resistance that smuggled nearly the entire population of Danish Jews out of the country. We listened to this one on audible and truly enjoyed it.

Recommended ages 10-12

I am David by Anne Holm is about a 12-year-old boy that escapes a labor camp in Eastern Europe. With only a compass, a few crusts of bread and his enemies hot on his heels, he makes his way north to Denmark.

Recommended ages 8-12

Letters from Rifka by Karen Hesse technically takes place during the Russian Civil War (from which the Soviet Union was created) in 1919, but I included it as it pertained to an immigrant Jewish girl fleeing Russia and her migration to the United States. She dreams of what her life will be like in America. Her experiences, including being separated from her family, ringworm, typhus, storms at sea, and Ellis island, are recorded in letters to her cousin Tovah. This book is based on the true story of the authors great aunt. A word of caution: At the beginning of the book when Rifka and her family are fleeing Russia there is a moment involving Russian soldiers with sexual undertones and then again with a crude medical examination and a Polish doctor. 

Recommended for ages 10-14

World War II Books: Read Alouds and Audio

When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit by Judith Kerr is about a Jewish girl named Anna and her family’s escape from Berlin. Because of Hitler, Anna must leave everything behind.  

Recommended ages 8-12

Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan was an Ah-mazing audio book! The harmonica and other music that plays in the background is just lovely. Echo is the story of three young people in WWII era all interwoven with a magical harmonica.

Recommended for ages 11 and up

The War that Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley is one that my son listened to on audible. He absolutely raved over this book! Ten-year-old Ana is mistreated by her mother. In fact, she has never been allowed to leave her apartment! So, when her brother is shipped to the English countryside for safety from the German bombs, Ana escapes with him. 

Recommended for ages 9 and up

The Little Riders by Margaretha Shemin is about an American girl named Johanna visiting her grandparents in Holland when the Germans take over during WWII. Her grandfather is the clock keeper to the ancient village clock tower. It holds twelve metal riders that go forth each hour of the day. Johanna and all the village love those little riders. They are a symbol of hope and courage for the people.

Recommended for ages 8-12

Books About World War II

Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank should be required reading for everyone in my opinion. But, make sure your kiddo is ready for this thoughtful and compelling diary. It is filled with the thoughts, hopes, dreams, and everyday life of teenager Anne Frank has she lives for 25 months in a secret annex in Amsterdam.

Recommended for ages 11 and up

The Devil’s Arithmetic by Jane Yolen is about a Jewish girl named Hannah whose is tired of hearing her grandfather’s personal story of the Holocaust. That is until one night during the celebration of Seder she finds herself transported back in time to experience it for herself. 

Recommended for ages 10 and up

World War II Books: Read Alouds and Audio

The Watcher by Joan Hiatt Harlow is about a 14-year- old American girl named Wendy who is betrayed by her mother. Wendy finds herself kidnapped and in WWII Germany. Now Wendy and her German Shepherd puppy try to find help in the Allies who have been watching over her.

Recommended ages 8-12

The Winged Watchman by Hilda Van Stockum is about the Verhagen family, who live in an old windmill called the Winged Watchman during WWII. As part of the Dutch resistance the family undergoes the hardships of war while helping Jews and RAF pilots escape the Germans.

Recommended for ages 8 and up

WWII Picture Books Can Be Great for Middle Grades Too

The Little Ships: The Heroic Rescue at Dunkirk in World War II by Louise Borden, though a picture book, tells the tale of the miraculous rescue of the thousands of British and French soldiers across the English Channel. Don’t underestimate the power of picture books for middle grades!

Recommended for ages 9-12

 

Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr is based on a true story. This book is about a girl that lived through the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. The radiation she was exposed to cause the Leukemia she now battles every day. She believes that if she can make one thousand paper cranes, then she can be healed. Sadako’s courageous struggle inspired peace the world over as did her paper cranes.

Recommended for ages 8-12

World War II Books: Read Alouds and Audio

The Bicycle Spy by Yona Zeldis McDonough Marcel is a French boy who is obsessed with the Tour de France and his bicycle. But since WWII broke out the Tour de France has been cancelled indefinitely. Now he finds himself taking secret messages in loaves of bread for his parents who are part of the French resistance. Then there is his new friend. She knows more about bicycles than anyone, but he soon learns that she and her family are in very real danger from the Germans. 

Recommended ages 8-12

Irena’s Children: Young Readers Edition; A True Story of Courage by Mary Cronk Farrell is about the true heroic deeds of Irena Sendler a young Polish woman living in Warsaw during World War II. She managed to save 2,500 children from death and deportation by the Nazi’s.

Recommended for ages 10 and up

The Endless Steppe Growing Up in Siberia by Esther Hautzig is a book about one Jewish family’s deportation from Poland by the Russians to the Russian steppe where they work tirelessly weeding potato fields and in the mines. It is based on the author’s childhood experience.

Recommended ages 10 and up

Books About World War II

Candy Bomber: the story of the Berlin Airlift’s “Chocolate Pilot” by Michael O. Tunnell is based on the true story of an American pilot that knew the children of Berlin were suffering after the close of WWII. The Russian blockade prevented food and supplies from being transported except by air from Britain and America. US Air Force Lieutenant Gail S. Halvorsen decided to bring a bit of hope to the children by dropping candy and gum by parachute. This one-time gesture grew to be known as “Operation Little Vittles.”

Recommended for ages 9-12

Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan is about the invasion of Norway. Peter Lundstrom and his friends are tasked with riding sleds filled with Norway’s gold under the noses of the occupying Germany troops in order to get the money to America and keep it from falling into enemy hands. This story is based on actual events!

Recommended for ages 8 and up

Under the Blood Red Sun by Graham Salisbury is the story about Tomi, whose parents and grandparents are from Japan, who lives in Hawaii and loves baseball. World War II seems far away until the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

Recommended ages 12 and up

Farewell to Manzanar by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston is about a community called Manzanar in the mountains of California that was built to house thousands of Japanese Americans during WWII. This book is based on the authors experience as a child in this community.

Recommended for ages 12 and up

The Best World War II Books: Read Alouds and Audiobooks 

Paper Wishes by Lois Sepahban is about 10-year-old Manami and how she and her family are forced to leave their home on Bainbridge Island after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. They and thousands of other Japanese Americans must go to a prison camp in the desert. They are only allowed to take what they can carry with them. Manami tries to sneak her grandfather’s dog Yujiin under her coat. But is soon discovered and must abandon Yujiin. Manami must now deal with the hardship and guilt of having lost her home, her freedom, and her dog.

Recommended for ages 9-12

House of Sixty Fathers by Meindert DeJong is Tien Pao is with his Chinese family trying to escape the invading Japanese during WWII. Unfortunately, he gets separated from them when the boat he is sleeping in drifts right back to the Japanese soldiers. With only his pig for company Tien Pao begins the journey to search for his family.

Recommended ages 10 and up

Baseball Saved Us by Ken Mochizuki is another picture book worth reading with middle grades. Shorty and his family are among thousands of Japanese Americans who are forced to relocate to prison camps. Shorty’s dad decides to create a baseball field in the vast desert. So, surrounded by barbed-wire fences and guards, a baseball league is born. And Shorty soon finds that he is playing not only to win, but to gain dignity and self-respect.

Recommended for ages 6-11

World War II Books for Middle Grades

With a rich source of books, my children have been able to visualize how life was impacted for people around the world while developing empathy and an understanding of how World War II affected people across the globe.

So tell me, have you read any great World War II books for middle grades?

Be sure to check out the Homeschool in the Woods Time Travelers: World War II study that we used! It offers World War II lapbooking, creative writing, notebooking pages, projects, recipes, and a mini timeline all-in-one!

 

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