Many people think world war 2 ended when the bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The truth is, world war 2 had been going for over six years before that fateful event took place.
In this article, we will go over the 20 best world war 2 books for middle school students to read!
You may also like: 25 Best Nonfiction Books for Kindergarten
World War 2 Books for Middle School Students
World War II was a world-altering event, and it is essential for middle school students to learn about the war.
We will discuss here some of the best world war 2 books that are perfect for middle school students.
These are great resources that will help your student better understand world history and be able to see how events in the past have shaped our world today.
Table of Contents
Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan
The children of Norway were not about to let Nazi troops take their country without a fight.
When the Nazis parachuted into Peter Lundstrom’s tiny Norwegian village and held it captive, nobody thought they could be defeated—until Uncle Victor told them how he had fooled his enemies with just nine million dollars worth of gold hidden on its sledge dogs back home in America!
It was risky but these brave little Norwegians weren’t ones for taking chances when there are lives riding on an action: so off those went after setting out across treacherous frozen tundra towards freedom – only stopping long enough to snowshoe or cross rivers by boat whenever necessary until finally reaching safety hours later at last…
World War II: Visual Encyclopedia
World War II was a global military conflict that took place between 1939 and 1945.
It involved the vast majority of the world’s nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances, the Allies and the Axis.
The war also engaged multiple other combatant nations, including China, which later became one of the major participants in World War II.
This book is an encyclopedia about WWII with information about different battles and events during this time period. It contains maps, pictures, charts, and more!
The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
A novel of historical fiction, this book is set in London during World War II. It tells the story of Ada and her little sister, Rachel.
The girls have been abandoned by their mother and are living with a cruel aunt who treats them terribly.
One day, Ada decides she has had enough and runs away from home to find her mother.
She meets many people along the way who help her on her journey. This children’s book is appropriate for ages 10 and up.
Simple History: A simple guide to World War II
The Second World War was the most devastating conflict in human history, and one of the most important.
It reshaped global politics, redrew the map of Europe, led to the rise of new superpowers, and cost tens of millions of lives.
This book is a brief account of that war. It covers all the major events from 1939 to 1945, including The origins of the war; Nazi Germany’s early successes; Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor; Hitler’s invasion of Russia; D-Day, and America’s entry into the war;
The Holocaust and other atrocities committed by Nazi Germany; The Allied bombing campaign against Germany; The Battle for Berlin (1945); And finally – VE Day!
When My Name Was Keoko by Linda Sue Park
When My Name Was Keoko by Linda Sue Park is a historical fiction novel that follows the life of a young Korean girl named Sunja.
It’s written in first-person narrative and tells her story from when she was a child to when she became an adult.
The book begins with Sunja as a child, living in Korea during World War II. She lives with her mother and father, who are farmers, and they have three children: two boys and one girl.
When Japan invades Korea, Sunja’s parents decide to send their oldest son away so he can be safe from the war.
However, when Japan takes over the entire country of Korea, Sunja’s family must flee for their safety. They travel to Mancopah, where Sunja’s uncle lives.
While they are there, her younger brother falls ill and must be sent to live with another relative in China. Sunja and her mother are then sent to a Japanese internment camp.
The novel follows Sunja’s life in the camp, where she meets others who are also suffering. She faces many trials and hardships, including losing one of her closest friends to starvation.
Sunja struggles to survive in the camp, but when she is finally released and sent back to her uncle’s house in Mancopah, that struggle continues.
She must find a way to support herself and her mother, as well as take care of her younger brother.
The novel ends with Sunja’s marriage to a man named Soon. Although the beginning of their marriage is rocky, it ends up being one full of love and happiness.
This world war two book is perfect for middle school students because it provides a look at the war from a different perspective.
Most people are familiar with the American point of view, but Linda Sue Park provides a Korean perspective, which is often overlooked.
Woeful Second World War (Horrible Histories) by Terry Deary
The Second World War was a truly woeful time in history. The Nazis were the evilest people ever to have lived, and they had no mercy on anyone.
They killed millions of innocent people, including Jews, gypsies, homosexuals, and disabled people.
This book is a Horrible Histories special edition that looks at the Second World War through the eyes of children who experienced it firsthand.
It doesn’t just tell you about what happened – it makes you feel like you are there!
The Upstairs Room by Johanna Reiss
The Upstairs Room is a novel by Johanna Reiss. It tells the story of a Jewish family who hides from the Nazis in an attic room of their Amsterdam home during World War II.
The book was first published in 1971 and won the 1972 Newbery Medal for excellence in American children’s literature, as well as being named an Honor Book for Older Readers by the ALA in 1973.
This book was written to educate children about what happened during this time period.
Although it is fiction, it gives a good idea of what life was like for these families during that time period.
What Was D-Day?
You won’t be able to ignore the Atlantic Ocean on this day.
June 6, 1944, will forever change our world as it did so many years ago with a single invasion at Normandy Beach that finally brought an end to Nazi Germany and its Third Reich after suffering major setbacks earlier in May of that year alone including one where more than half their troops were killed or wounded by British bombers before D-Day even took place!
Now you can read all about how treacherous missions went down; what forces faced each other headlong only meters away from death’s doorstep…
How General Eisenhower pulled off one helluva magician trick because he knew darn well there would never have been any Allied victories without breaking supremely evil Germans into total submission – devastation followed shortly thereafter.
Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli
“Milkweed” by Jerry Spinelli is a historical fiction novel. It tells the story of a young boy, living in Nazi Germany during World War II.
The author’s writing style is to tell the story from the perspective of his main character, which makes it very interesting and easy to read.
This book will take you on an emotional roller coaster ride that will leave you breathless!
You’ll laugh, cry and be amazed at what this little boy goes through during those dark times in history.
You Wouldn’t Want to Be a Secret Agent During World War II!
You Wouldn’t Want to Be a Secret Agent During World War II! is the latest book by John Malam.
It’s a great read for those interested in history, espionage, and adventure.
This book will take you back to the 1940s where you’ll learn about some of the most famous secret agents of all time.
You’ll also discover how they were recruited and trained as well as their top missions during this era.
The author has done an excellent job researching these agents and writing about them in such a way that makes it easy to understand what they went through.
If you enjoy reading historical fiction or nonfiction books, then this one is worth checking out!
Lily’s Crossing by Patricia Reilly Giff
Lily’s Crossing is a Newbery Honor Book and the recipient of many other awards.
Lily lives in a small town on the Hudson River, where her father runs a ferry.
When she meets an old man who has lost his memory, she helps him to remember his life story through drawings.
This book is about friendship, family, and community during World War II.
It will appeal to readers ages 10 and up who enjoy historical fiction or coming-of-age stories.
The Attack on Pearl Harbor by Peter Benoit
“The Attack on Pearl Harbor by Peter Benoit” is a historical fiction novel that describes the events leading up to the attack on December 7, 1941.
The author vividly describes the characters and their roles in this historic event.
This book will provide you with an understanding of what happened that day and how it changed America forever.
It is a great read for anyone interested in history or WWII buffs!
An Elephant in the Garden: Inspired by a True Story
A touching story of courage, friendship, and hope.
A young boy called Jack is sent to live with his grandparents during World War II. He finds a friend in an elephant named Elmer who has escaped from the local zoo.
Together they embark on many adventures, helping people and animals alike. But when Jack’s parents are killed in an air raid, he must make a difficult decision…
This book is suitable for children aged 9+ years old (or younger if read by an adult).
It contains some history about World War II as well as information about elephants – both real and fictional!
World War II Resistance Fighters by Matt Doeden
The book World War II Resistance Fighters by Matt Doeden is a great read for anyone who loves history and wants to learn more about the brave men and women who fought in the resistance movement during World War II.
The author, Matt Doeden, has done an excellent job of researching this topic and putting together a comprehensive history of the resistance fighters.
This book features stories from many different countries including France, Poland, Belgium, Russia, and others.
It also includes stories from both men and women who took part in this important part of history.
The Journey That Saved Curious George: The True Wartime Escape of Margret and H.A. Rey
In 1941, during World War II, the famous children’s book Curious George was created. The original author of Curious George was H.A. Rey and Margret Rey.
This book is a journey about a man named Hans who is on a ship to Africa with his pet monkey called Curious George.
He is trying to sell stuffed animals in Africa but he gets caught up in the war when he gets shot down by enemy airplanes and lands in the jungle where he meets an African tribe that takes care of him until he can get back home to America.
The Soviet Night Witches: Brave Women Bomber Pilots of World War II
The Soviet Night Witches: Brave Women Bomber Pilots of World War II by Pamela Jain Dell is a historical nonfiction book that tells the story of women who flew as bomber pilots in the Soviet Air Force during World War II.
At first, they were considered too weak and not suitable for combat, but they proved their worth and became an essential part of the military.
They flew at night in unheated planes with no parachutes or oxygen masks.
Their missions were dangerous because they had to fly over enemy territory, but these brave women did everything to help their country win the war.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
The Book Thief is a coming-of-age story set in Nazi Germany.
It tells the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books.
With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau.
This is an unforgettable novel about the ability of books to feed the soul.
Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
Catch-22 is a satirical novel by Joseph Heller, first published in 1961.
Set in Italy during World War II, the plot follows the experiences of Captain John Yossarian, a U.S. Army Air Forces B-25 bombardier.
Most of the events in Catch-22 are either absurd or chaotic; many are both.
The central character is Yossarian, who is trapped in a bureaucratic maze and attempting to survive the war while simultaneously trying to avoid death and insanity.
The Librarian of Auschwitz by Antonio Iturbe
A gripping and moving story about a young woman who survives the Holocaust by becoming a librarian at Auschwitz.
The story is told from the perspective of Liesel, a German girl whose family hides her in their home during World War II.
She befriends a Jewish man named Max Vandenburg, who has escaped from Auschwitz and is living with her family to hide from Nazi soldiers.
When Liesel’s family is forced to hide their Jewish friend in the basement, they must sneak him food and water. One day, the family is caught and Max is sent to Auschwitz.
Liesel is heartbroken, but she knows that she must continue to help other Jews escape by becoming a librarian at the concentration camp.
She is able to smuggle food and water to her friends in the camp and even smuggles a book into the camp for Max.
Liesel’s bravery and strength help her to survive the horrors of the Holocaust. She is liberated in 1945 and learns that Max is also still alive.
She ends the book by saying, “I think of my story as a book with a happy ending.”
This is an incredible and moving story about the strength of the human spirit. Liesel’s bravery in the face of such adversity is truly inspirational.
Her story is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is still hope.
Girl In The Blue Coat by Monica Hesse
The year is 1942. Amsterdam is in the grip of the Nazi occupation, and ten-year-old Rachell Cohen has been sent away from her parents to live with a complete stranger: a distant cousin who has agreed to take her in for the duration of the war.
Rachela’s cousin, Sophia, lives on Prinsengracht, one of Amsterdam’s picturesque canals.
The two girls are very different: Rachela is impulsive and outspoken; Sophia cautious and reserved.
But as the years go by, they become inseparable friends—sisters almost—and create their own world together amidst the chaos and uncertainty of wartime Holland.
Then one day everything changes when Rachela makes a discovery that puts both her and Sophia in terrible danger.
In their flight from the Nazis, they follow a trail of clues left by Rachela’s father—clues that will lead them deep into the heart of the Dutch countryside and to a hidden underground resistance group.
There, in the shadows of the war, they will find new friends, new allies, and a sense of purpose they never could have imagined.
Together, they will fight to save the people and places they love and discover the power of courage and hope in even the darkest of times.
As a young girl living through Nazi occupation, Rachela has learned to always be ready to flee her home at a moment’s notice.
During the war years, she suddenly finds herself living with her cousin Sophia who she didn’t know before, and the two girls become good friends.
Together they experience the events of war such as bombings, food shortages, and the dangers of living in a city controlled by Nazis.
Eventually, they learn about a secret resistance group and join them in their fight against the occupation.
The Resistance focuses on the resilience of the human spirit and how it’s possible to fight against a much stronger enemy, even one that seems unbeatable.
Whether you’re looking for a book that will help your child understand the complexities of war and its effects on society or just want to find some great books about World War II, we hope this list has helped.
These 20 best world war 2 books for middle school students are sure to provide hours of reading pleasure as well as plenty of insight into what life was like during those dark years in history.