The only way kids can understand World War II (WWII) and the Holocaust is to read historical stories, both fiction and nonfiction stories, that immerse them in the experiences of people who lived through it.
It’s been said before but here is the truth. In order not to repeat the past, we must understand it. We must know. We must remember.
Children’s Picture Books About The Holocaust & World War II
Benno and the Night of Broken Glass by Meg Wiviott, illustrated by Josee Bisaillon
A neighborhood cat observes the changes in both the German and Jewish families in it’s town during the period leading up to Kristallnacht, the Night of Broken Glass, the true beginning of the Holocaust.
The Whispering Town by Jennifer Elvgren
In a small Danish fishing village, a Jewish family must escape in pitch blackness. The townspeople guide the fleeing family with whispers. It’s simple but gets the message across about how people were escaping and others were kind.
The Cats in Krasinski Square by Karen Hesse, illustrated by Wendy Watson
During World War II, this children’s picture book tells the story of a Jewish girl and her cat friends trick the Gestapo at a train station in Warsaw.
Stone Angel by Jane Yolen, illustrated by
Six Million Paper Clips by Peter W. Schroeder and Dagmar Schroeder-Hildebrand
School children now days can hardly imagine how many people were murdered during the Holocaust so they decide to collect six million paperclips.
The Butterfly by Patricia Polacco
Sevrine hides from the Nazis in Monique’s basement until both families are forced to flee from the Nazis during World War II.
Jars of Hope: How One Woman Helped Save 2,500 Children During the Holocaust by Jennifer Roy, illustrated by Meg Swenson
This inspiring narrative nonfiction picture book about World War II honors Irena Sendler, a Polish social worker who helps smuggle babies and children out of the ghetto before they’re sent to the camps. Irene kept lists of the children’s original names and their new names which she buried in jars, hoping that maybe after the war she could reunite families. She risked her life and saved over 2,500 children.
Chapter Books About World War II and the Holocaust
Hidden: A Child’s Story of the Holocaust by Loic Dauvillier, Greg Salsedo, illustrated by Marc Lizano ages 6 – 10 (graphic novel)
Now a grandmother, Dounia tells her granddaughter about when she was a young girl and hid from the Nazis with her neighbors. This is a gorgeous historical graphic novel chapter book.
Secret of Midway: Ghosts of War #1 by Steve Watkins (ages 8 – 12)
Three kids discover the navy peacoat of a WWII soldier and when they do, the soldier’s ghost appears. They think there’s a reason the ghost hasn’t moved on so the kids are determined to discover his story and what really happened at Midway. Interesting, especially for history enthusiasts.
The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak ages 10+
Death narrates the story of Liesel, a girl lives in Munich during the time of Nazi Germany. Through impossibly hard times, she has a burning desire to read. Her first stolen book, which her foster father uses to teach her, is The Gravediggers Handbook. Many people love this powerful story of growing up, friendship, and the human condition. It wasn’t my favorite historical fiction story about World War II — it felt tedious to read, the narrator bothered me, and I didn’t like all the swearing.
Without a doubt, this memoir is the most popular and iconic first-person account of the Holocaust, Anne writes about her time in hiding from the Nazis.
Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli ages 8 – 12
Maybe Jew or a Gypsy but the main character is definitely a street kid and a thief. He’s taken in by other orphans and wants to belong — perhaps to the Nazis. Until he sees something that will change his mind…
The Watcher by Joan Hiatt Harlow ages 8 – 12
This historical fiction chapter book isn’t as much about the Holocaust as it is about World War II in Germany from a German perspective. American-raised Wendy’s Nazi-spy mom takes her to live in Germany during World War II. Wendy doesn’t even speak the language and feels overwhelmed with her mother’s zeal for Hitler. When Wendy starts working at Lebensborn, the place where only Aryan children live — many who were forcibly removed from their parents — she learns from her new friend, a Jehovah Witness, that maybe this German’s aren’t doing the right thing.
The Midnight Zoo
by Sonya Hartnett (ages 8 – 12)Tissue alert — this breathtaking historical book is essentially a fable set in Nazi Germany. We follow three Gypsy siblings who have witnessed the capture of their family and friends. While walking and searching for food, they find an abandoned zoo, with talking animals. That’s all I’ll reveal. You NEED to read this beautiful historical story. It will change your life.
Escaping the Nazis on the Kindertransport by Emma Carlson Berne (ages 8 – 12)
Survivors: True Stories of Children in the Holocaust by Allan Zullo ages 8 – 12
Each of these children’s true stories will inspire readers learning how these kids all faced the horrors of the Holocaust with courage and bravery.
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry ages 8 – 12
Lowry does an excellent job at writing about WWII in a way that isn’t too scary or inappropriate for kids. Annemarie’s best friend hides Annemarie’s Jewish family. The tension is high as the Nazis are everywhere looking for Jews or Jewish sympathizers. It’s challenging to hide knowing that every day you could be caught and sent to a death camp. Finally, the family escapes to Sweden where they will be safe from the Nazis.
The Devil’s Arithmeticby Jane Yolen ages 8 – 12
Present-day Hannah travels back in time to a Polish village just before it’s stormed by Nazi troops. She’s taken with her neighbors to a concentration camp and there, sacrifices herself in place of her friend.
When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit by Judith Kerr ages 8 – 12
Growing up in Germany, Anna doesn’t think too much about Hitler until her father disappears. That’s when she’s forced to leave her home behind and flee the country.
The Boy on the Wooden Box by Leon Leyson ages 8 – 12
This former Schindler’s list child tells his story — how he was only 10 when he left his home in Poland for the Krakow ghetto and survived the horrors there ultimately thanks to Oskar Schindler.
The Dollmaker of Krakow by Rachael Romero
The Upstairs Room by Johanna Reiss ages 8 – 12 (Newbery winner)
Annie and her sister must hide from the Nazis in a small farmhouse room in Holland. Two years the sisters lived in hiding, by themselves, without their family. This historical fiction book is based on the author’s own experiences as a Jewish girl during WWII.
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne ages 12+
Narrated from the perspective of a 9-year old boy whose dad is head of the Concentration Camp, we piece together where Bruno’s new friend lives and why he must hide their friendship. It’s a kid-favorite moving and sad historical fiction chapter book.
I Have Lived A Thousand Years: Growing Up In the Holocaust by Livia Bitton-Jackson ages 14+
This survivor memoir shows atrocities of the Holocaust in Hungary. Elli loses everything, then is moved to a ghetto, and later is taken to the death camps. Disturbing, as it should be.
Twenty and Ten by Angela Cerrito ages 10+
Set in France during the Holocaust of WWII, a group of nuns and students help hide ten Jewish children from the Nazis.
Girl in the Blue Coat by Monica Hesse ages 13+
Deftly written, this is the story of a girl named Henneke who becomes part of the Dutch resistance during WWII. It’s also a coming of age story during a horrific time in history.
Anne Frank’s Diary: The Graphic Adaptation adapted by Ari Folman, illustrated by David Polonsky (ages 12+)
SOOOO good! The diary bits and dialogue are well-balanced into a cohesive story that feels seamless, well-written, and insightful. Anne’s personality really shines through as she sets the historical context and describes her daily life in hiding which isn’t always very exciting but does result in a romance with the boy her age who lives there, too.
Lizzie and the Lost Baby by Cheryl Blackford
The setting is the English countryside during WWII when evacuated children must live with strangers. Lizzie and her brother are two such children. When she sees her adopted family and the village condoning the stealing of a gypsy baby, she can not abide their cruelty and prejudice let alone their dishonesty. She decides she can’t live with herself if she doesn’t help the gypsies get back the baby.
The Children of the King by Sonya Hartnett (ages 10+)
I love how Harnett takes a beautiful historical story and infuses it with magical realism. In this chapter book, we are transported to the English countryside during World War II when children were evacuated out of London. The girls find two boys in the ruins of an old castle – boys who have also been removed from London, only from another historical period.
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl ages 14+
Frankl talks about his time in the Nazi Concentration Camps. But more than that, he reflects that those who survived did so because they had purpose (meaning) in their lives. Incredible and thought-provoking. (This isn’t a children’s book but I think it’s appropriate for mature teens.)
Night by Elie Weisel ages 14+
Elie’s memoir shows the horror of his life at two different Concentration Camps. It’s short, well-written, and life-changing. (This also isn’t a children’s book but I think it’s appropriate for mature teens.)
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