World War II settings
Many of my students have had a strong interest in the World War II time period. They are fascinated with history and can't seem to get enough information over that particular era. I think the reason for this interest is due to the bravery so many people showed to fight against the evil regime of the Nazi's. Although these stories are fiction, they represent all of the people who stood for what was right even if it meant losing their very lives.
Annemarie Johansen lives in Copenhagen with her family during the time of the Nazi invasion. Her mother, father, and sister live in an apartment, and her best friend and her family live in the same apartment building. Her friend, Ellen Rosen and her family are Jewish. Life had been rough for Annemarie and her family after her older sister died right before her wedding two years previously. Also, with the Nazis in control, life in Copenhagen had not been quite the same as what it was when Annemarie was younger. The Rosens learn that they must hide from the Nazi's or else they will be taken away. Annemarie's parents agree to hide Ellen and protect her with their very lives.
5/5
5/5
3/5
Themes: Coming of Age, Adventure, Family/Tradition
Genre: Historical Fiction
Recommended Age for Reading: The reading level for this book is a 6.5, but the content is appropriate for students in lower grade levels. For some of the gifted readers, students in grades 4-6 may enjoy this book. There is some violence since the premise of the story is World War 2, but it isn't anything that isn't appropriate for students in the elementary grades.
Plot: This book tells the story of a young Navajo boy who begins his life on a Navajo reservation. He speaks only Navajo until the age of 6 when he begins school. His school is run by white people who are trying to "educate" the Navajo. Speaking Navajo is forbidden at this school because the white people think there is no purpose for Navajo boys and girls to keep their language. The boy has a Navajo name, but when he starts school, the white people change his name to "Ned Begay." Ned proves to be very successful in school and learns to speak English. However, he doesn't forget his original Navajo language. When Pearl Harbor is attacked, Ned learns that young Navajo men are needed to help with the war efforts. Ned eventually joins the Marines and helps develop a Navajo code that is used in the fight against the Japanese.
Review: I am currently using this book in a literature circle for some of my stronger readers in my 6th-grade class. I highly recommend this book for middle school boys who have an interest in war history. Many of my male students are very interested in World War 2, so they were very excited to read this book. Since the book follows the main character through several of the South Pacific battles, the amount is action is immense. It's sometimes difficult for me to find books that boys enjoy, but there's been no problem getting the boys in my class to read this book. They've looked forward to reading every day, and when I have to move on to another activity, they grumble and complain. Personally, I liked the book, but I always like a bit of a romantic twist. You're not going to find that in this book, because of that, it's not in my top favorites. If this book were made into a movie, it wouldn't be a chick flick, which is what I usually enjoy. However; I did enjoy reading this book and getting a better understanding of the Pacific part of World War 2 and the Navajo side of the story. I plan on using this book again next year and in the years to come.
Rating: 4/5
Based on the following site's information, Lexile Measure, this book is for kids ages 9-12. I somewhat disagree, however. There's quite a bit of violence in this book because of the horrors of war. There's a scene when a kid gets blown up by a bomb, which seems to be a bit intense for a 9-year-old, but it might vary based on parental discretion. I also believe kids older than 12 can relate to this story because the main character is 13. I read this book to a class of struggling 8th-grade readers and they loved it.
Number the Stars
Author:
Lois Lowry
Themes:
Coming of Age, Standing for what's right, The Power of Love and Friendship
Genre:
Historical FictionRecommended Age for Reading:
The reading level is 3rd grade, but it really can go for any age who can read at a third-grade level or above. I have a class set that I've used with my 6th graders for the past 3 years. We've read this story together when I taught a World War II unit for my social studies classes. My students have always been able to relate as well as love the characters in the story. I feel they have learned so much more about World War II through this story than they would from any textbook.Plot Summary:
Annemarie Johansen lives in Copenhagen with her family during the time of the Nazi invasion. Her mother, father, and sister live in an apartment, and her best friend and her family live in the same apartment building. Her friend, Ellen Rosen and her family are Jewish. Life had been rough for Annemarie and her family after her older sister died right before her wedding two years previously. Also, with the Nazis in control, life in Copenhagen had not been quite the same as what it was when Annemarie was younger. The Rosens learn that they must hide from the Nazi's or else they will be taken away. Annemarie's parents agree to hide Ellen and protect her with their very lives.
Review:
I believe every child should read this story at some point in their school career. Kids who read this book will gain a better understanding of what life was like for people living in Europe during World War II. They will also learn lessons of friendship, bravery, and what it means to stand for what is right.5/5
Prisoner B-3087
Themes:
Coming of Age, Never Give Up, The Importance of Family
Author:
Alan Gratz
Genre:
Historical Fiction
Recommended Age for Reading:
I believe every kid needs to read this book at some point, but there are violent parts in the story. The story chronicles Yanek and the ten different concentration camps he survived. Unfortunately, violence was a huge part of what people had to survive at these camps, and it is a part of this story. With that being said, I would say kids the age of 10 and up should be ready to read a story of this nature. Having background information over the Holocaust would help prepare kids reading this story.
Plot Summary:
This is actually based on a true story. Yanek Gurener is a boy growing up in the 1930s in Poland. When the Nazi's invade life as he knows it ceases to exist. Readers will follow Yanek through 10 different concentration camps.
Review:
This is probably the most popular World War II story among my students. They actually recommended this book to me. I couldn't even keep the book on my shelves. Kids who read Yanek's story had a deeper appreciation to those who survived the Holocaust and the horrors of World War II. Gratz did an excellent job of telling Gruener's story.
5/5
The Devil's Arithmetic
Author:
Jane YolenThemes:
Remembering the past,Setting:
Modern-day New York/ Prison camp during the HolocaustRecommended Age for Reading:
There's mild language and violence from the Holocaust, so this would be appropriate for students in grades 6 and up.Plot Summary:
Hannah is annoyed that she has to attend another boring Seder with her family. She goes through the motions of the family Jewish traditions, but grows tired of stories her grandfather and aunt tell of their survival during the Holocaust. Out of nowhere, Hannah is transported to the past and experiences the horrors of the Holocaust as a Jewish girl named Chaya.Review:
It took me awhile to get into this story, but it is one that I highly recommend...especially for people who want to know more about the Jewish side of the Holocaust. Since Yolen is actually Jewish, she nails the Jewish culture for the plot. I believe having a strong understanding of Jewish culture really helps the characters come alive.5/5
Making Bombs for Hitler
Author:
Marsha Forchuck SkrypuchThemes:
PerseveranceSetting:
Concentration camp/ Refugee CampRecommended Age for Reading:
10 years old...there was a few violent scenes in the concentration camp, but things like that unfortunately happened often.Plot Summary:
Lida is a ten year old girl from the Ukraine, and is captured by the Nazi's. She and her sister, Larissa are separated in the process. This book is based on a true story from the perspective of people under Russian control during this time period.Review:
I learned a lot from reading this story. When most think of the Holocaust, they think of the 6 million Jewish people who were killed. However, as tragic as it was for the Jewish people, there were several others from different ethnicities and cultures who were also tortured and killed during the Holocaust. I didn't really feel connected to the characters, however, so it took me awhile to finish the book which was a little over 100 pages.3/5
The Book Thief
Author:
Markus ZusakGenre:
Historical Fiction/ FantasyThemes:
The Power of Words
Recommended Age for Reading:
Middle School and up.
Review:
I'm not going to lie, it took me a while to finish this book. I started it while on vacation with my husband this summer in June and didn't finish it until sometime in October. Usually, I finish books at a much quicker pace, but I am a busy working mom, and it took me a while to really get into it. Honestly, I don't think I really ever got "hooked" into this book, but that doesn't mean that it isn't worth reading. It's actually a book that I think everyone needs to read.
The protagonist of the story is Liesel Meminger who is for some unknown reason is willingly orphaned by her mother. She is taken in by her foster family during the Nazi Germany era. The most interesting aspect of this book, in my opinion, is that it is told from the point of view of "Death." We see Nazi Germany and World War II era told from "The Grim Reaper." We see the lives he took during this time, and the impact this little girl made with "Death." Despite not being able to read, Liesel is intrigued by the written word so much, that she goes through great lengths to steal whatever books she can find. The words eventually impact her and cause her to inspire others.
This book can be confusing at times because the narrator doesn't always tell the story in chronological order. Even though this book is told from "Death's" first-person perspective, he is somewhat of an omniscient narrator by allowing the readers to get into the heads of the other characters in the book.
The reason why I recommend this book for Middle School is because there is some mild language. Most of the crude language is in German, but there are some words in English that students in elementary school may not be ready for.
Code Talker
Author: Joseph BruchacThemes: Coming of Age, Adventure, Family/Tradition
Genre: Historical Fiction
Recommended Age for Reading: The reading level for this book is a 6.5, but the content is appropriate for students in lower grade levels. For some of the gifted readers, students in grades 4-6 may enjoy this book. There is some violence since the premise of the story is World War 2, but it isn't anything that isn't appropriate for students in the elementary grades.
Plot: This book tells the story of a young Navajo boy who begins his life on a Navajo reservation. He speaks only Navajo until the age of 6 when he begins school. His school is run by white people who are trying to "educate" the Navajo. Speaking Navajo is forbidden at this school because the white people think there is no purpose for Navajo boys and girls to keep their language. The boy has a Navajo name, but when he starts school, the white people change his name to "Ned Begay." Ned proves to be very successful in school and learns to speak English. However, he doesn't forget his original Navajo language. When Pearl Harbor is attacked, Ned learns that young Navajo men are needed to help with the war efforts. Ned eventually joins the Marines and helps develop a Navajo code that is used in the fight against the Japanese.
Review: I am currently using this book in a literature circle for some of my stronger readers in my 6th-grade class. I highly recommend this book for middle school boys who have an interest in war history. Many of my male students are very interested in World War 2, so they were very excited to read this book. Since the book follows the main character through several of the South Pacific battles, the amount is action is immense. It's sometimes difficult for me to find books that boys enjoy, but there's been no problem getting the boys in my class to read this book. They've looked forward to reading every day, and when I have to move on to another activity, they grumble and complain. Personally, I liked the book, but I always like a bit of a romantic twist. You're not going to find that in this book, because of that, it's not in my top favorites. If this book were made into a movie, it wouldn't be a chick flick, which is what I usually enjoy. However; I did enjoy reading this book and getting a better understanding of the Pacific part of World War 2 and the Navajo side of the story. I plan on using this book again next year and in the years to come.
Rating: 4/5
Projekt 1065
Author:
Alan Gratz
Themes:
Evils of Racism, Facing the Darkness
Genre:
Historical Fiction
Recommended Age for Reading:
Based on the following site's information, Lexile Measure, this book is for kids ages 9-12. I somewhat disagree, however. There's quite a bit of violence in this book because of the horrors of war. There's a scene when a kid gets blown up by a bomb, which seems to be a bit intense for a 9-year-old, but it might vary based on parental discretion. I also believe kids older than 12 can relate to this story because the main character is 13. I read this book to a class of struggling 8th-grade readers and they loved it. 
Plot:
Michael O'Shaunessey's Father is the Irish ambassador to Germany, and his mother is an Irish spy. He and his family must play the part of a family who supports Hitler and Germany while convincing the German people that Ireland is neutral in the war. Michael eventually realizes that this isn't completely true. His parents are actually working undercover to help the Allies defeat Germany. Michael has to also pretend that he is loyal to Hitler and Germany and joins Hitler Youth. During this time he tries to uncover valuable information that could play a key role in defeating Germany.
Review:
Alan Gratz tells yet another excellent story in which the setting is during World War 2. This story contrasts Prisoner B-3087 because the reader sees more of the Nazi perspective in this book. The characters are very well developed in that they are not necessarily black and white. The reader will see the humanity in some of the characters even though they mostly turn out to be villains based on the choices they make. I think it's important for people to see this side of World War 2 because of how easy it was for an entire country to become brainwashed to a regime that was pure evil. By understanding how vulnerable people can become in these situations, we have a greater chance of preventing the history of this nature from repeating itself.
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