World War II Books for Kids

Last updated: February 3, 2026

These books will help kids understand the events of one of the most interesting periods of modern history: World War II. On this list you'll find historical fiction to give context for the time period and convey what it really felt like for fighters on the front lines, kids and families back home, and Jews in hiding or sent to concentration camps. You'll also find engaging nonfiction books to help curious kids learn the facts (or finish assignments for history class). And if your history buff is looking for more to read, check out this list of World War I Books for Kids.

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Love in the Library Poster Image

BOOK

Love in the Library

age 6+

Gentle, true story about finding love, hope in prison camp.

Maggie Tokuda-Hall Picture Book (2022)

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Nicky & Vera: A Quiet Hero of the Holocaust and the Children He Rescued Poster Image

BOOK

Nicky & Vera: A Quiet Hero of the Holocaust and the Children He Rescued

age 6+

Inspiring true story of lifesaving hero and WWII refugees.

Peter Sis History (2021)

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Cape: The League of Secret Heroes, Book 1 Poster Image

BOOK

Cape: The League of Secret Heroes, Book 1

age 8+

Tween superheroes battle Nazis, prejudice in exciting story.

Kate Hannigan Fantasy (2019)

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Rescue Poster Image

BOOK

Rescue

age 8+

Suspenseful drama of escape from Nazi occupation in WWII.

Jennifer A. Nielsen Historical Fiction (2021)

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Stars of the Night book cover: Children peer from a train car window under a starry sky as they pass homes

BOOK

Stars of the Night: The Courageous Children of the Czech Kindertransport

age 8+

Moving true tale of Jewish children saved by one brave man.

Caren Stelson History (2023)

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A Faraway Island Poster Image

BOOK

A Faraway Island

age 9+

Moving story of Jewish sisters living as refugees in Sweden.

Annika Thor Historical Fiction (2009)

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A Place to Hang the Moon Poster Image

BOOK

A Place to Hang the Moon

age 9+

Bookish orphan sibs seek family in old-school WWII tale.

Kate Albus Historical Fiction (2021)

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Heroes book cover: Illustration of two boys looking at American battleships being blown up by Japanese fighter planes

BOOK

Heroes

age 9+

Two boys become heroes during the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Alan Gratz Historical Fiction (2024)

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Number the Stars Poster Image

BOOK

Number the Stars

age 9+

Stirring tale of girl who smuggles Jews to safety in WWII.

Lois Lowry Historical Fiction (1989)

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Paper Wishes Poster Image

BOOK

Paper Wishes

age 9+

Sad, soulful story of grieving girl interned during WWII.

Lois Sepahban Historical Fiction (2016)

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The Night War book cover: Dark-haired girl in red dress fleeing a castle at night

BOOK

The Night War

age 9+

Gripping Holocaust-refugee thriller has history and a ghost.

Kimberly Brubaker Bradley Historical Fiction (2024)

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The Tower of Life Book Cover: A young girl with dark hair wearing a blue and white gingham dress holds photographs to her chest, a sketch of a small town behind her.

BOOK

The Tower of Life: How Yaffa Eliach Rebuilt Her Town in Stories and Photographs

age 9+

Affecting true story of a Holocaust survivor and historian.

Chana Stiefel Picture Book (2022)

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The War That Saved My Life Poster Image

BOOK

The War That Saved My Life

age 9+

Abused girl finds courage, family in compelling WWII story.

Kimberly Brubaker Bradley Historical Fiction (2015)

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Uprising book cover: Girl in blue dress and long braid throws a rock at a speaker on a barbwire fence, amidst rubble

BOOK

Uprising

age 9+

Gripping story of real teen resisting Nazi occupation.

Jennifer A. Nielsen Historical Fiction (2024)

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War Games book cover: A girl looking toward Berlin’s torchlit Brandenburg Gate. Two lines of Nazis soldier are marching toward her

BOOK

War Games

age 9+

Teen Olympian takes on Nazis in exciting, twisty heist tale.

Alan Gratz Historical Fiction (2025)

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When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit Poster Image

BOOK

When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit

age 9+

Young WWII refugee's story told with warmth and wonder.

Judith Kerr Historical Fiction (1971)

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Max in the House of Spies book cover: Boy with pale skin and red hair in a white button down shirt and suspenders looks over his left shoulder as he runs away from suspicious looking men in background, two very small, human, old men are on either shoulder

BOOK

Max in the House of Spies: A Tale of World War II: Operation Kinderspion, Book 1

age 10+

Funny, fraught, magical tale of Jewish kid in spy school.

Adam Gidwitz Historical Fiction (2024)

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Max in the Land of Lies book cover: Boy in foreground, with two tiny older men on each shoulder, Nazis in background

BOOK

Max in the Land of Lies: Operation Kinderspion, Book 2

age 10+

Funny, thrilling, rich tale of Jewish kid spying on Nazis.

Adam Gidwitz Historical Fiction (2025)

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No Better Friend: Young Readers Edition: A Man, a Dog, and Their Incredible True Story of Friendship and Survival in World War II Poster Image

BOOK

No Better Friend: Young Readers Edition: A Man, a Dog, and Their Incredible True Story of Friendship and Survival in World War II

age 10+

Remarkable account of dog and radar man in POW camp.

Robert Weintraub History (2016)

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Pearl book cover: Illustration of a young woman rising up out of a huge ocean wave holding a pearl in her outstretched hands.

BOOK

Pearl

age 10+

Moving graphic novel about American teen in wartime Japan.

Sherri L. Smith Graphic Novel (2024)

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