Read Around the Subject

Y8 World War 2 and the Holocaust Recommended Reading List

Burning Mountain by LJ Adlington Britain today, WWII Italy two stories collide. For Denise and Craig war only happens to other people in far off places, even though their older brother is a paratrooper in Afghanistan. But then their enigmatic neighbour starts them on a quest. “At the end of it all you have to come back,” she says. “What is taken must be returned ...” What does she mean? Only four clues: a soldier's badge, a gold coin, volcanic rock, a piece of shrapnel. Time, she says, is running out. But which time? When? TWO WARS: Then ... and Now ... ONE CHANCE: To do the right thing. Denise and Craig are about to find out that life can explode when you least expect it.

Noor-un-nissa Inayat Khan by Sufiya Ahmed My Story: Noor-un-Nissa Inayat Khan is the thrilling story of British-Indian World War Two

heroine, Noor-un-Nissa Inayat Khan. It's 1940 and hundreds of families are being forced to flee Nazi-occupied France. Noor refuses to stand by while Nazi forces invade her home and terrorise

her people, so she travels to England and signs up to join the war efforts despite her mother's wishes. It isn't long before her talents are noticed, and she is chosen by Winston Churchill to sneak back into France as an undercover agent. Noor returns home but this time, as a secret

agent. Can Noor keep her true identity a secret, report her findings back to London and help the Allies win the war?

School for Skylarks by Sam Angus It is 1939. When Lyla is evacuated from her home in London to her great-aunt’s enormous house in the West Country, she expects to be lonely. She has never been to school nor had any friends, and her parents have been at the centre of a scandal. But with the house being used to accommodate an entire school of evacuated schoolgirls, there's no time to think about her old life. Soon there is a horse in a first-floor bedroom and a ferret in Lyla’s sock drawer, hordes of schoolgirls have overrun the house, and Lyla finds out that friends come in all shapes and sizes

Ronnie's War by Bernard Ashley It is 1940, and Ronnie Warren is a street-smart 11-year-old living with his

mum in south London while his father is away fighting with the army. Ronnie's story starts during the Blitz, when he climbs bravely through bomb rubble to rescue his mother and his

aunt. Evacuated to Lancashire, he stands up to a sadistic teacher and embarks on a pre-teen romance. Back in London, his mum hears that her husband is missing, presumed killed. Ronnie

believes she has fallen for a GI and makes a fool of himself - but patches things up. VE Day brings joy mixed with grief for Ronnie, knowing that his dad is dead - but a surprise telegram

brings unbelievable news. Sophie's Secret War by Jill Atkins In 1939 at the start of the war, Sophie becomes a messenger for a resistance group in Northern France. But as the German invaders overwhelm the British forces on the French coast, she finds herself more deeply involved with the Resistance - in a dangerous plan to save a young Scottish soldier.

Carrie's War by Nina Bawden Albert, Carrie and young Nick are war-time evacuees whose lives get so

tangled up with the people they've come to live among that the war and their real families seem to belong to another world. Carrie and Nick are billeted in Wales with old Mr Evans, who

is so mean and cold, and his timid mouse of a sister, Lou, who suddenly starts having secrets. Carrie revisits Wales as an adult and tells the story to her own children.

Bomber Boys by Thomas Bloor Johnny says he's a lucky charm for any crew he flies with, but Len's not so sure. On a mission to Berlin, he finds out the truth. This is a powerful WWII story. Barrington Stoke specialises in books for reluctant, struggling and dyslexic readers.

Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne

Berlin 1942 When Bruno returns home from school one day, he discovers that his belongings are being packed in crates. His father has received a promotion and the family must move from their

home to a new house far, far away, where there is no one to play with and nothing to do. A tall fence running alongside stretches as far as the eye can see and cuts him off from the strange

people he can see in the distance. But Bruno longs to be an explorer and decides that there must be more to this desolate new

place than meets the eye. While exploring his new environment, he meets another boy whose life and circumstances are very different to his own, and their meeting results in a friendship

that has devastating consequences

The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley Nine-year-old Ada has never left her one-room apartment. Her mother is too humiliated by Ada’s twisted foot to let her outside. So when her little brother Jamie is shipped out of London to escape the war, Ada doesn’t waste a minute she sneaks out to join him. So begins a new adventure of Ada, and for Susan Smith, the woman who is forced to take the two kids in. As Ada teaches herself to ride a pony, learns to read, and watches for German spies, she begins to trust Susan and Susan begins to love Ada and Jamie. But in the end, will their bond be enough to hold them together through wartime? Or will Ada and her brother fall back into the cruel hands of their mother?

When We Were Warriors by Emma Carroll A body washed up on the beach...

Evacuation to an old house with forbidden rooms and dark secrets... An animal rescue service...

In these short stories set in World War Two, Emma Carroll explores the resilience, resourcefulness and inventiveness of children when their lives fall to pieces. Introducing

some compelling new characters, as well as revisiting some familiar settings, these adventures are sure to win over new readers, as well as fans of old favourites such as Letters

from the Lighthouse and Frost Hollow Hall.

Postcards from No Man's Land (14+) by Aidan Chambers Jacob Todd is abroad on his own for the first time, visiting his grandfather's grave at the annual commemoration of the Battle of Arnhem in Amsterdam. There, he meets Geertrui, an ill old lady, who tells a story of love and betrayal, which overturns Jacob's view of himself and his country, and leads him to question his place in the world.

William At War by Richmal Crompton

William is always ready to offer his services to his country. But why is it that his enthusiastic contribution is so seldom appreciated? William is determined to do his bit, but

unfortunately no one else thinks he'd make a hero. . . In these 10 wonderful wartime stories, William proves himself just as dangerous, unpredictable, and downright troublesome as the Enemy! There is only one William. This tousle-headed, snub-nosed, hearty, loveable imp of

mischief has been harassing his unfortunate family and delighting his hundreds of thousands of admirers since 1922.

Going Solo by Roald Dahl One of a series of literature titles for schools, this is Roald Dahl's second volume of autobiography. It offers an account of his youth in Africa during World War II, encounters with the Hun and with deadly snakes, and his escape from a plane crash whilst in the RAF

Anne Frank by Susanna Davidson This book tells the life story of Anne Frank, who hid from the Nazis with her

parents for years in a secret apartment and wrote a diary that became famous after her death.

Captain Corelli's Mandolin (14+) by Louis de Bernieres It is 1941 and Captain Antonio Corelli, a young Italian officer, is posted to the Greek island of Cephalonia as part of the occupying forces. At first, he is ostracised by the locals, but as a conscientious but far from fanatical soldier, whose main aim is to have a peaceful war, he proves in time to be civilised, humorous - and a consummate musician. When the local doctor's daughter's letters to her fiancé go unanswered, the working of the eternal triangle seems inevitable. But can this fragile love survive as a war of bestial savagery gets closer and the lines are drawn between invader and defender?

Woeful Second World War by Terry Deary Woeful Second World War' presents the dire details of a war that affected almost everyone -

from old men joining Dad's Army to the 12-year-olds defending Berlin to the bitter end

Harry's Battle of Britain by Andrew Donkin Set in war-torn Britain, this adventure story features Harry Ryder, a ten-year-old city dweller who is evacuated to the countryside in 1939 during World War II. Harry faces a very personal battle when the locals view the evacuees as 'invaders'.

Ausländer by Paul Dowswell 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 a fine Aryan specimen into their household. But despite his new 'family,' Peter feels like a foreigner- an

ausländer-and he is forming his own ideas about what he sees and what he's told. He doesn't want to be a Nazi. So, he takes a risk-the most dangerous one he could possibly choose in

1942 Berlin... Bomber by Paul Dowswell One in five never returned. Every boy dreams of flying, but in war that dream can turn into a nightmare. Harry Friedman is the gunner of the Macey May, an American Flying Fortress stationed in East Anglia. The Second World War is raging, and the Nazis have swept over Europe. The crews of every Flying Fortress face terrible odds on their bombing missions. To make it through alive, Harry will need luck on his side and courage. Courage to keep going when he has watched close friends die. Courage to confront a terrible evil. And the courage to make it home from deep behind enemy lines

Desert Duel by Jim Eldridge The story of two of the greatest warlords in history. When World War II begins, both men are

commanders in their respective armies. They are destined to meet in the blistering heat of the North African desert in one of the most crucial battles of the War.

Codename Celine by Jim Eldridge The Special Operations Executive (SOE) was formed in July 1940 - its mission: to send agents into occupied Europe to conduct covert operations against Allied enemies. Many of these agents were women and girls. MY STORY: CODENAME CELINE tells the thrilling tale of 'Celine', a young teenager, desperate to do her bit towards the war effort. Parachuted into occupied France to help the Resistance, Celine finds herself on the front line of fierce and terrifying fighting - will she be able to keep her nerve and complete her mission before it's too late?

Desert Danger by Jim Eldridge The story of Tim Jackson, who fought in North Africa during the Second World War. He tells

of a mine-clearing operation which results in one of his colleagues being severely injured after handling a mine incorrectly.

Under A War-Torn Sky by L M Elliott When Henry Forester is shot down during a bombing run over France, the World War II pilot finds himself trapped behind enemy lines. In constant danger of discovery by German soldiers, Henry begins a remarkable journey to freedom. Relying on the kindness of strangers, Henry moves from town to town--traveling by moonlight, never asking questions, or even the names of the people who help him along the way. Through his journey, Henry gains an understanding of the French and their struggle; and of his own place in a war that will change the face of Europe forever.

War Boy: A Country Childhood by Michael Foreman

The award-winning illustrator of Eric the Viking and Nicobobinus looks back on his own wartime childhood, in this book which won the Kate Greenaway Medal 1990. His illustrations evoke the horror and beauty of blazing buildings and the comforts of

childhood amid the shortages. Tales from The Secret Annexe by Anne Frank Anne Frank is known worldwide for her moving and powerful diary written whilst hiding from the Nazis. Less well known are these stories, fables, personal reminiscences and an unfinished novel - now re-issued after being out of print for many years.

Poetry Of War 1914-1989 by Fuller, Simon (Editor) An anthology which gathers together poetry spanning some of the major conflicts of the 20th-century - World War I and World War II, Hiroshima,

Vietnam, Ireland and the Falklands - and includes previously unpublished material.

Invasion by Alan Gibbons and Robbie Gibbons We splash onto the shore and start running. Bullets whistle and punch into the beach. Wrecked landing craft lie on their side. Waves wash up dead bodies floating face down. I stare. Training doesn’t prepare you for this. Tommy Doran is an infantryman in the British Army. It’s June 1944 and he is about to take part in the biggest invasion in history: D-Day. Will he and his best mate Joe get through the German defences and make it home alive? This first-person narrative follows them through the anticipation and boredom of waiting to boarding ship in bad weather at Southampton, the Channel crossing, to the fear and tumult of landing on Gold Beach. Factual pages contextualise the narrative, giving readers the bigger picture. Archive photography and newly commissioned illustration bring the historical events

described to life. Quick read suitable for reluctant readers.

World War Two by Clive Gifford The book contains nine short stories dealing with different aspects of life during World War II.

Included is the remarkable survival story of future US President J F Kennedy, the story of the dam-busters and a plotted assassination attempt on Hitler. Complete with glossary, further

reading section and index.

Once #1 by Morris Gleitzman

Once is the story of a young Jewish boy who is determined to escape the orphanage whish he lives in to save his Jewish parents from the Nazis in the occupied Poland of the Second World War. Everybody deserves to have something good in their life. At least Once. Once I escaped from an orphanage to find Mum and Dad. Once I saved a girl called Zelda from a burning house. Once I made a Nazi with a toothache laugh. My name is Felix. This is my story. Once is the first in a series of children's novels about Felix, a Jewish orphan caught in the middle of the Holocaust, from Australian author Morris Gleitzman. The next books in the series

Then, Now, After, Soon and Maybe are also available from Puffin.

The Children of Willesden Lane by Mona Golabek Fourteen-year-old Lisa Jura was a musical prodigy who hoped to become a concert pianist. But when Hitler's armies advanced on pre-war Vienna, Lisa's parents were forced to make

a difficult decision. Able to secure passage for only one of their three daughters through the Kindertransport, they chose to send gifted Lisa to London for safety.

As she yearned to be reunited with her family while she lived in a home for refugee children on Willesden Lane, Lisa's music became a beacon of hope. A memoir of courage, survival, and the power of music to uplift the human spirit, this compelling tribute to one

special young woman and the lives she touched will both educate and inspire young readers.

Based on a true story of a 14 year old girl Lisa Jura, who had to flee her home in Vienna and rebuild her life in London, the story brings home the reality of the Holocaust to readers aged 12 and up.

Adaptation for younger readers.

Hannah Goslar Remembers by Alison Leslie Gold Hannah tells her story in a simple yet unnervingly moving voice. The poignancy of this book is in the sensitive and thoughtful voice of Hannah Goslar as she faces each challenge with a remarkable degree of bravery. Important and shattering occurrences are relayed in a calm and reasonable way, which only adds resonance to the power of the events. When Hannah and her family are arrested and transported to Bergen Belsen (where she has one final and emotional reunion with Anne Frank), it is Hannah's courage that saves the lives of herself and her younger sister. This is a truly remarkable book that tells us more about the lives of ordinary people during World War Two than any history book can. This is Hannah's Story told in her own words to Alison Leslie Gold.

Front Lines #1 (14+) by Michael Grant 1942. World War II. The most terrible war in human history. Millions are dead; millions more

are still to die. The Nazis rampage across Europe and eye far-off America. The green, untested American army is going up against the greatest fighting force ever assembled the

armed forces of Nazi Germany. But something has changed. A court decision makes females subject to the draft and eligible for service. So, in this World War II, women and girls fight, too. As the fate of the world hangs in the balance, three girls sign up to fight. Rio Richlin,

Frangie Marr, and Rainy Schulterman are average girls, girls with dreams and aspirations, at the start of their lives, at the start of their loves. Each has her own reasons for volunteering.

Not one expects to see actual combat. Not one expects to be on the front lines. Rio, Frangie, and Rainy will play their parts in the war to defeat evil and save the human

race. They will fear and they will rage; they will suffer, and they will inflict suffering; they will hate, and they will love. They will fight the greatest war the world has ever known.

An Orphan's Wish by Molly Green War rages, but the women and children of Liverpool’s Dr Barnardo’s Home cannot give up hope. What more could you wish for than a poignant, heart-warming saga to read: LIVERPOOL, 1943 Yorkshire is the place Lana has always called home, but it’s now filled with painful memories of her fiancé, Dickie, who was killed at sea. When she accepts the challenging position of headmistress at a school in Liverpool, she hopes a new beginning will help to mend her broken heart.

Flying Bombs by Dennis Hamley Doodlebugs, the deadly flying bombs, are falling on London. Josie and her family feel they are away from danger in the countryside, but are

they? The Children of The King by Sonya Hartnett Cecily and Jeremy have been sent to live with their uncle Peregrine in the English countryside, safe from the war, along with a young refugee named May. But when Cecily and May find two mysterious boys hiding in the ruins of a nearby castle, an extraordinary adventure begins It's World War II and London is becoming an increasingly dangerous place to live. The Lockwood children are whisked away to the Heron Hall, to stay with their Uncle Peregrine in the countryside. But when they discover two strange boys hiding in a nearby derelict castle, the past and present collide. Can those in the present learn from the troubles of the past?

Weaving together two dramatic periods in English history, The Children of the King deals with themes of loss, grief, family, friendships, war and power. This book will get children diving into the history books to find out more about these enigmatic children of the King

Midnight Zoo by Sonya Hartnett When the Germans attack their Romany encampment during World War II, Andrej and his

younger brother, Tomas, flee through a ravaged countryside under cover of darkness, guarding a secret bundle. Their journey leads to a bombed-out town, where the boys discover a hidden wonder: a zoo filled with creatures in need of hope. Like Andrej and Tomas, the animals--wolf

and eagle, monkey and bear, lioness and seal, kangaroo and llama-- have stories to share and a mission to reclaim their lives.

The Endless Steppe by Esther Hautzig Esther Rudomin was ten years old when, in 1941, she and her family were arrested by the Russians and transported to Siberia. This is the true story of the next five years spent in exile. It is June 1941. The Rudomin family has been arrested by the Russians. They are 'capitalists' enemies of the people.' Forced from their home and friends in Vilna, Poland, they are herded into crowded cattle cars. Their destination: the endless steppe of Siberia. For five years, Esther and her family live in exile, weeding potato fields and working in the mines, struggling for enough food and clothing to stay alive. Only the strength of family sustains them and gives them hope for the future.

World War Two, At Sea by Peter Hepplewhite A fascinating series depicting the world during the Second World War. Interesting and

informative, the four books in the series will each contain true life stories and photographs and documents from the Imperial War Museum.

Hero on A Bicycle by Shirley Hughes From much-loved author Shirley Hughes comes a thrilling World War II novel for children aged 10 and up. It is 1944 and Florence, Italy, is occupied by Nazi German forces. The Italian resistance movement has not given up hope, though - and neither have Paolo and his sister, Constanza. Both are desperate to fight the occupation, but what can two siblings do against a whole army with only a bicycle to help them? In extraordinary circumstances, people are capable of extraordinary things...

Whistling in The Dark by Shirley Hughes Liverpool, 1940: thirteen-year-old Joan's home is under threat from the Nazi's terrifying nightly

air-raids. It is not an easy time to be a teenager, especially with the sweet rationing, strict curfews and blackouts. Joan and best friend Doreen love going to the cinema until the bombings intensify and then even that becomes too dangerous, especially when an army deserter is found

lurking near their home. Who is he and why does he think Joan can help him? As the Blitz worsens, Joan and her friends make a discovery that will tear the whole community apart...

Dragonfly Pool by Eva Ibbotson Tally and her friends at Dalderton Boarding School form a dance troupe and travel to Bergania, where she befriends Karil, the crown prince, and helps him flee the Nazis after his father is assassinated.

Rose Blanche by R Innocenti

When Rose sees a little boy trying to escape from the back of a truck, only to be captured and shoved back in, she decides to follow the truck. At a desolate place out of town she discovers

many other children, staring hungrily from behind an electric barbed wire fence. The Hero Game by Pete Johnson Charlie loved hearing stories about his grandad's days as a fighter pilot, until he found out a terrible secret. Can you do something awful and still be a hero?

Dreaming in Black and White by Reinhardt Jung

In his dreams, Hannes finds himself back in 1930s Germany. He is persecuted by his pupils and

teachers. For Hannes is disabled and, like the Jews and social misfits, the Nazis have labelled him

not worth living. He finds solace in his mother. But has his father begun to believe Nazi

propaganda?

Resistance by Ann Jungman Jan is ashamed when his Dutch father sides with the Germans during the Second World War. No-one will talk to him at school. Only Elli is his friend. Can Jan find a way to defy his father and help the Resistance? A quick read suitable for dyslexic and reluctant readers.

Siege! by Ann Jungman The German army has invaded Russia, and all adults must go to war. Ivan, his sister and their

younger brother are left on their own in a city with no food, no electricity and no home. A quick read suitable for dyslexic and reluctant readers.

When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit #1 by Judith Kerr Anna is not sure who Hitler is, but she sees his face on posters all over Berlin. Then one morning, Anna and her brother awake to find her father gone! Her mother explains that their father has had to leave and soon they will secretly join him. Anna just doesn't understand. Why do their parents keep insisting that Germany is no longer safe for Jews like them? Because of Hitler, Anna must leave everything behind. Based on the gripping real-life story of the author, this poignant backlist staple gets a brand-new look for a new generation of readers just in time for Holocaust Remembrance Month.

Hana's Suitcase by K Levine In March 2000, a suitcase arrived at a children's Holocaust education centre in Tokyo. It

belonged to an orphan girl called Hana Brady. Everyone was desperate to discover the story of Hana - Who was she? What had happened to her? This is the true story of what was uncovered

of Hana and her family. The Railway Man (14+) by E Lomax A naive young man, a railway enthusiast and radio buff, was caught up in the fall of the British Empire at Singapore in 1942. He was put to work on the 'Railway of Death' - the Japanese line from Thailand to Burma. Exhaustively and brutally tortured by the Japanese for making a crude radio, Lomax was emotionally ruined by his experiences. Almost 50 years after the war, however, his life was changed by the discovery that his interrogator, the Japanese interpreter, was still alive - their reconciliation is the culmination of this extraordinary story.

Winston Churchill And His Great Wars by Alan MacDonald You've probably heard of Winston Churchill...He is dead famous for: smoking a massive cigar

leading Britain to victory in World War II raising his fingers in a V sign. But have you heard that Winston: was a demon bricklayer had a fantastic collection of hats made a daring escape from prison? Yes, even though he's dead, Winston's still full of surprises. Now you can get the inside

story with Winston's lost diary, relive the events of the century in The Winston Weekly and discover the vital role he played in two great wars.

Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian When the Second World War breaks out, young Willie Beech is evacuated to the countryside. A sad, deprived child, he slowly begins to flourish under the care of kind old Tom Oakley. But then his cruel mother summons him back to war-torn London...

Catching Falling Stars by Karen McCombie It's 1940. Gloria and her little brother have been evacuated to the countryside to get away from

the dangers of the Blitz in London. But their new home isn't as friendly as they'd hoped. The woman they're living with, Miss Saunders, is strict, severe and an outcast in the village. And the

local children and other evacuees are equally unwelcoming and mocking. But Gloria quickly learns that nothing is ever as it seems in this strange new place. As possible friends turn out to be

enemies, and once sworn enemies might be the best possible friends, Gloria finally realizes that believing first impressions could mean missing out on the friendships that can last a lifetime

Atonement (14+) by Ian McEwan On the hottest day of the summer of 1934, thirteen-year-old Briony Tallis sees her sister Cecilia strip off her clothes and plunge into the fountain in the garden of their country house. Watching her is Robbie Turner, her childhood friend who, like Cecilia, has recently come down from Cambridge. By the end of that day, the lives of all three will have been changed for ever. Robbie and Cecilia will have crossed a boundary they had not even imagined at its start and will have become victims of the younger girl's imagination. Briony will have witnessed mysteries and committed a crime for which she will spend the rest of her life trying to atone.

Vinnie's War by David McRobbie The story of a homeless boy who starts by losing everything, and - through his experience as an

evacuee in World War II - finds friendship, vocation and a place to belong. Just then came crump, CRUMP, CRUMP! Three bombs in quick succession, coming frighteningly closer. With each

explosion, the ground shook. Dust and chips fell from the ceiling. Everyone in the shelter gasped at the same time. Vinnie held his breath, waiting for the fourth bomb, but it didn't come. When

Vinnie is sent away from the bombs in London, he has no idea what awaits him. All he has left of his old life is his harmonica. On the train, Vinnie meets fierce Kathleen, sweet Joey and gangly

Dobbs. The evacuee children find themselves thrown together in the country town of Netterfold.

Billy's Blitz by Barbara Mitchelhill When War breaks out, Billy’s dad joins the army and most of his friends are evacuated from Balham, South London. But Billy’s mum doesn’t believe the bombs will ever fall on them and she refuses to send him and his sister Rose away. Life in Balham has certainly changed for Billy: no school, no friends and, because of rationing, no treats. But by September 1940, things are about to get a lot worse. Hitler has a plan for the destruction of London and soon Billy is caught up in the Blitz.

Run Rabbit Run by Barbara Mitchelhill Lizzie is lucky. Her dad refuses to fight in the war unlike the other dads in her street. “I won’t kill

anyone,” he says “War is wrong” But she knows that lots of people don’t agree with him and when Dad is threatened with prison, he takes Lizzie and her little brother, Freddie, on a long and

adventurous journey hiding from the authorities. Even when they are separated and all seems lost, Lizzie’s special star in the night sky gives her hope that one day her family will be together

again.

An Elephant in The Garden by Michael Morpurgo Lizzie and Karl's mother is a zookeeper; 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 garden instead. When the city is bombed, the family flees with thousands of others, but how can they walk the same route when they have an elephant in tow, and keep themselves safe? Along the way, they meet Peter, a Canadian navigator who risks his own capture to save the family.

An Eagle in the Snow by Michael Morpurgo 1940. The train is under attacks from German fighters. In the darkness, sheltering in a railway

tunnel, the stranger in the carriage with Barney and his mother tells them a story to pass the time. And what a story. The story of a young man, a young soldier in the trenches of World War I who,

on the spur of the moment, had done what he thought was the right thing. It turned out to have been the worst mistake he ever could have made, a mistake he must put

right before it is too late. Escape from Shangri-La by Michael Morpurgo Turned away by his own son, Cessie’s long-lost grandfather finds himself in the place he fears most – a nursing home called Shangri-La. Only Cessie loves him and is determined to help him escape and unravel the truth of his past. A past that comes to him only in glimpses – a lifeboat, a tin of condensed milk, a terrifying night on the beaches of Dunkirk in World War II …

Flamingo Boy by Michael Morpurgo Set in the unique landscape of the Camargue in the South of France during

WW2. There, a young autistic boy lives on his parents’ farm among the salt flats, and the flamingos that live there. There are lots of things he doesn’t understand: but he does know how

to heal animals. He loves routine, and music too: and every week he goes to market with his mother, to ride his special horse on the town carousel.

But then the Germans come, with their guns, and take the town. A soldier shoots a flamingo from the sky, and it falls to earth terribly injured. And even worse is to come: the carousel is damaged, the horses broken. For this vulnerable

boy, everything is falling apart.

Friend or Foe by Michael Morpurgo There was nothing threatening or frightening about them, they were just two exhausted, pale-looking men with sad eyes and kind faces. These were the men who had bombed London and Plymouth and killed thousands. Yet one of them had saved his life.' It's the Second World War, and the Germans are bombing London. Everyone hates them, especially David: they killed his father. Now, because of the Blitz, David and his friend Tucky have been evacuated to the countryside, where they must live with strangers. Then one night they see a German plane crash on the moors. They feel they should hate the airmen insides, but can they just leave them to die?

Little Manfred by Michael Morpurgo In the Imperial War Museum is a wooden Dachshund, carved by a German prisoner of war for

the children of the British family with which he stayed after the fighting ended. This is the story of how it got there... When the Bismarck sinks, one of the only German survivors is taken on

board a British ship as a prisoner of war. Sent to live with a host family, Walter must adapt to a new way of life, in the heart of an enemy country. Gradually, though, he finds a friend in ten-

year-old Grace. So, when the time finally comes to go back to Germany, it's an emotional parting, with Walter leaving Grace with only a carved wooden dog to remember him by. The

question is, will Walter and Grace ever meet again? In 1966, with the World Cup coming to Britain, that opportunity may just have come along...

Waiting for Anya by Michael Morpurgo Jo places his life in danger when he helps protect a growing number of Jewish children who have sought refuge at a reclusive widow's farm.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz (14+) by Heather Morris The Tattooist of Auschwitz is based on the true story of Lale and Gita Sokolov, two Slovakian Jews

who survived Auschwitz. When Lale, given the job of tattooing the prisoners, saw Gita waiting in line, it was love at first sight. In that moment he determined to keep them both alive. This is a

story of hope and of courage. The Escape #1 (Henderson’s Boys) by Robert Muchamore Summer, 1940. Hitler's army is advancing towards Paris, and millions of French civilians are on the run. Amidst the chaos, two British children are being hunted by German agents. British spy Charles Henderson tries to reach them first, but he can only do it with the help of a twelve-year-old French orphan. The British secret service is about to discover that kids working undercover will help to win the war. For official purposes, these children do not exist.

Blitz Boys by Linda Newbery

A story set in London during the Blitz. With German planes blitzing London, the wreckage can be an exciting place to play after the fear of the night has died down. Whilst exploring a bombed house one day, a lonely boy makes a friend whose father is an RAF pilot - much more exciting

than his own air-raid warden dad. But it takes genuine danger to make him realise the difference between the heroism of fantasy and what people do when their courage is needed for real.

Blitz by David Orme Stay where you're put... Martin's been evacuated to the country. It's boring there, so he goes back home. But London is in flames and Martin is in danger... A quick read suitable for dyslexic and reluctant readers.

Winter's Bullet by William Osborne Tygo, a locksmith's son, is forced by the Nazis to loot abandoned Dutch homes

for valuables. Known as 'the Ferret', he's despised by everyone, but it's the only way he can keep his family alive. But when he discovers a girl with a diamond in a chimney, he refuses to give her

up. Instead he turns spy and trades the jewel for information about Hitler's ultimate weapon. Can a ferret become a hero? He has one shot to stop the war.

Traitor by Gudrun Pausewang It's 1944 and Anna's in the Sudetenland, her elder brother is at the front and her younger one is a fanatical member of the Nazi Youth. When she finds an escaped Russian soldier hiding in their barn, nearly dead, humanity conquers fear and she hides him in a disused bunker and continues to feed him despite knowing that if caught she'd be executed as a traitor. She doesn't dare tell even her mother. As the front approaches their village from the east it seems the Russian prisoner will soon be re-united with his comrades - but will Anna's already suspicious brother uncover her guilty secret first and expose her to a traitor's fate, and her family to destruction? An incredibly realistic and moving account of how one girl refuses to accept Nazi ideology and has the courage

of her own conviction. A riveting insight into how the war affected the Sudetenland and its German and Czech population.

Faces in The Smoke: The Story of Josef Perl by Arthur C Benjamin

A very moving account of a boy's terrible ordeal at the hands of the Germans.

D-Day by Bryan Perrett It's 1944 when Lieutenant Andy Pope takes part in the D-Day landings, crossing the English Channel to the beaches of Normandy. Ordered to cut off the Germans' line of retreat, Andy's company comes under sustained attack until, as the only un-wounded officer left, Andy finds himself in command and fighting for survival...

Holocaust by Dee Phillips They took my clothes. They shaved my head. I was given a prisoner number. I was no longer

human! A quick read suitable for dyslexic and reluctant readers.

The Story of Anne Frank by Jim Pipe In this book, the famous story of one young Jewish girl's experience of the Holocaust is brought to life. Anne Frank's early life is happy and comfortable, but in 1930's Europe, Germany's political and economic problems lead to the rise of the Nazis and the eventual persecution of Jews. Anne and her family were living in Amsterdam when Germany invaded the Netherlands early in WWII. Persecution of Jewish people came to Amsterdam and the Franks were forced into hiding to avoid arrest, simply for being Jewish. For two years, Anne Frank kept a diary of her family's life in hiding until her eventual discovery and death. Anne's diary was published by her father Otto Frank in her memory and for

all those who died in the Holocaust.

Johnny and the Bomb by Terry Pratchett Johnny Maxwell and his friends have to do something when they find Mrs Tachyon, the local bag

lady, semi-conscious in an alley . . . as long as it's not the kiss of life. But there's more to Mrs Tachyon than a squeaky trolley and a bunch of dubious black bags.

Somehow, she holds the key to different times, different eras - including the Blackbury Blitz in 1941. Suddenly now isn't the safe place Johnny once thought it was as he finds himself caught up

more and more with then… Hidden: True Stories of Children Who Survived World War II by Marcel Prins They hid...and they survived. This incredible collection of first-person accounts shares what it was really like to go into hiding during World War II. Each story is different: some children were only three years old; some were teenagers. Some hid with neighbours or relatives, while many were with complete strangers. But all know the pain of losing their homes, their families, even their own names. They describe the secret network of brave people who kept them safe, as well as the coincidences and close escapes that made all the difference.

Now or Never by Bali Rai

Abandoning his home in India to become part of Company 32, Private Fazal Khan is proud to be supporting the British in World War Two. But as events in France take a turn for the worse, the

frightening journey to the evacuation zone in Dunkirk becomes nothing compared to the betrayal he and his comrades face at the point of rescue.

Why should a boy from India show loyalty to people who don't all see him as their equal? Hollow City #2 (13+) by Ransom Riggs This second novel begins in 1940, immediately after the first book ended. Having escaped Miss Peregrine’s island by the skin of their teeth, Jacob and his new friends must journey to London, the peculiar capital of the world. Along the way, they encounter new allies, a menagerie of peculiar animals, and other unexpected surprises. Complete with dozens of newly discovered (and thoroughly mesmerising) vintage photographs, this new adventure will delight readers of all ages.

Sweet Clarinet by James Riordan Billy thought wartime was fun: fiery skies, playing amongst the rubble. Then a bomb falls on the

shelter where he and his mother are taking refuge. Waking in hospital horribly burned, he longs for death until a precious gift from a soldier similarly disfigured gives him hope and a reason to live.

Match of Death by James Riordan Vova is a 15-year-old boy living in Kiev. His first love is playing football, but when the Nazis invade the Ukraine in 1941, priorities change, and Vova and his sister join the partisans, to attempt to fight the enemy. Soon he becomes involved in a game with much higher stakes.

The Bomber Dog by Megan Rix Grey is just a puppy when he arrives at the War Dog Training School. Nathan, his trainer, is a brave

young soldier. Wolf is a war dog who's seen it all. Grey and Nathan soon become inseparable. Until the day a parachute jump goes tragically wrong... As the Second World War rages, Grey faces his most important mission yet: to find his best friend.

With Wolf at his side, he must journey across France and behind enemy lines. His path is fraught with danger. Can he reach Nathan before it's too late?

Jimmy's Stars by Mary Rodman In 1943, 11-year-old Ellie is her brother Jimmy's best girl". When he leaves Pittsburgh just before Thanksgiving to fight in WWII

Anna and the Swallow Man (13+) by Gavriel Savit Kraków, 1939. A million marching soldiers and a thousand barking dogs. This is no place to

grow up. Anna is just seven years old when the Germans take her father, a linguistics professor, during their purge of intellectuals in Poland. She’s alone.

And then Anna meets the Swallow Man. He is a mystery, strange and tall, a skilled deceiver with more than a little magic up his sleeve. And when the soldiers in the streets look at him,

they see what he wants them to see. The Swallow Man is not Anna’s father, she knows that very well, but she also knows that, like

her father, he’s in danger of being taken, and like her father, he has a gift for languages: Polish, Russian, German, Yiddish, even Bird.

Between Shades of Grey by Ruta Sepetys * Lina is just like any other fifteen-year-old Lithuanian girl in 1941. She paints, she draws, she gets crushes on boys. Until one night when Soviet officers barge into her home, tearing her family from the comfortable life they've known. Separated from her father, forced onto a crowded and dirty train car, Lina, her mother, and her young brother slowly make their way north, crossing the Arctic Circle, to a work camp in the coldest reaches of Siberia. Here they are forced, under Stalin's orders, to dig for beets and fight for their lives under the cruellest of conditions. Lina finds solace in her art, meticulously—and at great risk—documenting events by drawing, hoping these messages will make their way to her father's prison camp to let him know they are still alive. It is a long and harrowing journey, spanning years and covering 6,500 miles, but it is

through incredible strength, love, and hope that Lina ultimately survives.

Dogfight #1 by Craig Simpson NORWAY, OCTOBER 1940. Norway, a country invaded by the Nazis. Finn Gunnersen and best

friend, Loki Larson, are determined to fight back. Joining the Resistance, they risk arrest, torture and execution. They also don't know who to trust. When vital secrets fall into their hands and the

enemy is in hot pursuit, they must escape. But to succeed they face their greatest deadly challenge - how to steal an enemy plane and fly it to freedom. Can two boys take on the might of

the Nazi power?

Resistance by Craig Simpson It is Norway in September 1943. For brothers Marek and Olaf, a hunting trip out on the frozen Hardanger plateau offers a brief chance to escape the German occupation. But returning home they witness the horror of their father's arrest by the Gestapo and the start of a brutal regime under the evil Lieutenant Wold. When their daring plan for revenge goes horribly wrong, they are forced to seek refuge in the vast and unforgiving Norwegian wilderness. Saved from an icy grave by Resistance freedom-fighters, fourteen-year-old Marek is captivated by their courage and determination. He may not be a crack shot like his brother, but he is quick-thinking, resourceful and a talented mechanic. With youth on his side, the Germans probably won't suspect him - perfect for a part in the ambitious sabotage attack planned by the group. But can he keep his

nerve, especially when the final assault throws his friends and family into the path of the enemy?

My Brother's Secret by Dan Smith Germany, 1941. 12-year-old Karl Engel is looking forward to joining the Hitler Youth, like all boys his age. But when his father is killed, his rebellious older brother Stefan shows him things that leave his

faith in the Fuhrer shaken. What does it mean to be a good German? What does it mean to wear the mysterious flower sewn inside his brother's jacket? Who is the real enemy?

Blackout by Robert Swindells It's September 1939, and Britain has just entered World War II, but in the small town of Golfodd there are no bombs, no soldiers, and no machine guns. For Tom, Mary, Gary, and Dil, the whole thing is a disappointment. They want excitement, but they aren't looking for trouble, so when they start shadowing the mysterious new woman in town, they don't expect it to lead them down to the bottom of the old, rotten mines of Golfodd. That's when things get dark and dangerous.

Blitzed by Robert Swindells George is fascinated by World War Two - bombers, Nazis, doodlebugs. But he discovers the reality is very different from how he had imagined it when a school trip to a World War Two museum leads to a timeslip - and George is in London at the time of the Blitz! He joins up with a group of other homeless children, struggling to survive. And then they suspect someone they know of being a German spy...

Doodlebug Alley by Robert Swindells It's World War II, and doodlebugs, the deadliest bombs yet, are raining down on London. No one

is safe, no street intact. The war is tearing Sandy's family apart. Do they stand any chance in Doodlebug Alley?

Shrapnel by Robert Swindells It is the height of World War II. Britain is being ravaged by bombs and most young men are off fighting, and Gordon wishes he was too. Maybe then he wouldn't get bullied for having a cowardly family: Gordon's dad didn't serve in World War I, and now his older brother Raymond isn't serving in World War II, he's gone missing. When Gordon finds a revolver hidden in his house, he tracks Raymond down but ends up involved in more than he'd bargained for. Raymond enlists Gordon's help to deliver and collect some 'packages.' But is the work actually for the government? And will it have terrible consequences?

These Dark Wings #1 by John Owen Theobald After her mother is killed in the Blitz and her father in the North Sea, 12-year-old Anna Cooper is sent to live with an uncle she has never met; the Ravenmaster at the Tower of London. Amid the Tower’s old secrets and hidden ghosts, the ravens begin to disappear, and Anna must brave the

war-torn city to find them. With Nazi forces massing on the other side of the Channel, the fate of Britain might be at stake, for an ancient legend foretells that Britain will fall if the ravens ever leave

the Tower.

Never Say Die by David Tinkler It's 1942, and Hitler has invaded Britain. Twelve-year-old farm boy Benedict Flint has imagined standing up to the Nazis ever since his father was killed and his mother taken away. His chance comes when he rescues top-secret information from a dying British agent, then suddenly, he's Firebrand Flint, an accidental real-life hero who, together with best friend Alfie, joins the British Resistance, determined to restore the exiled teen Queen Elizabeth.

World War Two, Civilians by Neil Tonge The World in Flames is a series depicting the world during World War II. Interesting and

informative, the four books contain true life stories and photographs and documents from the Imperial War Museum.

World War Two, On Land by Neil Tonge The World in Flames is a series depicting the world during World War II. Interesting and informative, the four books contain true life stories and photographs and documents from the Imperial War Museum.

Anne Frank: Beyond the Diary by Ruud Van Der Rol Over 100 photos reveal Anne's childhood with her sister and the historical crisis that overtook the family. Essays on Hitler's rise to power, war refugees, Jewish ghettos and concentration camps are intercut with the story of Anne and her family, placing Anne's life in historical perspective.

Paradise Barn #1 by Victor Watson September 1940. War rages across Europe, and thousands of people, men, women and children, have lost their lives. Despite the air fights overhead life in the quiet village of Great Deeping in the Fens goes on much as usual, until an unthinkable event: a murder. Molly, Abigail and Adam, an evacuee from London, are determined to solve the mystery of the Paradise Barn. But it’s one thing hunting for clues, another to track down a murderer. With the war bringing so many strangers to the village, who can they really trust?

Code Name Verity (14+) by Elizabeth Wein Two young women become unlikely best friends during WWII, until one is captured by the

Gestapo. Only in wartime could a stalwart lass from Manchester rub shoulders with a Scottish aristocrat, one a pilot, the other a special operation executive. Yet whenever their paths cross,

they complement each other perfectly and before long become devoted to each other. But then a vital mission goes wrong, and one of the friends has to bail out of a faulty plane over

France. She is captured by the Gestapo and becomes a prisoner of war.

Firebird by Elizabeth Wein I am not a traitor. Let me tell you how I became a pilot and why I landed my plane behind enemy lines, and what I did afterwards. And then you can judge for yourselves. Nastia Nabokova is a daring pilot, the daughter of revolutionaries, and now, as Russia enters the Second World War, she must fight to save the glorious Motherland. But when the battles begin and life itself is at stake, long-held secrets are revealed, and Nastia must question everything she once thought she knew.

White Eagles by Elizabeth Wein Summer 1939. With Europe on the brink of war, eighteen-year-old Kristina Tomiak has been called up to join the White Eagles, Poland's valiant air force. When the Nazis reach the town where she is

based, Kristina makes a daring escape, but she doesn't realise that she's carrying a stowaway in her plane. Will Kristina be able to navigate the most challenging flight of her life and reach safety

amid the turmoil of war? Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant or dyslexic readers aged 13+

Blitzcat by Robert Westall She made her way down the cliff, and on to the beach. At the edge of the waves, she stopped, shaking her wet paws. She knew that somewhere ahead was her person, but far, far away. She meowed plaintively; stood staring at the moving blur of uncrossable sea. She led the way to safety out of the blazing hell of blitzed Coventry. People touched her for luck; feared her as an omen of disaster. Wherever she went she changed lives... From her beginning to her end she never wavered. She was the Blitzcat.

The Machine Gunners by Robert Westall After an air raid, a group of English children find a German machine gun and hide it from adults

who are looking for it.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak Here is a small fact – you are going to die in 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier. Liesel, a nine-year-old girl, is living with a foster family on Himmel Street. Her parents have been taken away to a concentration camp. Liesel steals books. This is her story and the story of the inhabitants of her street when the bombs begin to fall. Some important information – this novel is narrated by Death. It's a small story, about: a girl an accordionist some fanatical Germans a Jewish fist fighter and quite a lot of thievery. Another thing you should know – Death will visit The Book Thief three times.

*Title not available in The Petersfield School library 2021