Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Children's books

Join in for children's book recommendations.

Original poster

DD2 wants MORE books about WW1 and WW2

38 replies

TheFirstLady · 15/03/2010 22:18

and I can't think of any. She is very keen on history in general and the World Wars in particular and I am not sure what more I can find for her. She is 10. She has read:
The relevant Michael Morpurgos - War Horse, Private Peaceful, Adolphus Tips.
Anne Frank's Diary
The Dolphin Crossing
When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit and both sequels.
The Silver Sword
I am David (though not strictly WW2 obv)
Goodnight Mr Tom
Those ghastly My Story books
Carries War
When the Sirens Wailed
I've ordered Number the Stars on Amazon.
What else is there that is appropriate for a 10 year old?

OP posts:
MotherJack · 15/03/2010 22:26

I was so excited when I saw this thread title as I have literally hundreds of books on the very subject, all looking for loving homes.

Sadly, probably none of them appropriate for a 10 year old.

Blast and buggeration!

Original poster
TheFirstLady · 15/03/2010 22:30

Oh dear, MJ, sorry about that
Why are your history books looking for loving homes? [nosey emoticon]

OP posts:
Orlando · 15/03/2010 22:41

There's one called Remembrance by Teresa Breslin about WW1 which might appeal. Not earth-shatteringly original (girl trains to be a nurse, village boys - inc childhood sweetheart - go off to trenches, no surprises along the way) but reasonably well written, IIRC.

Orlando · 15/03/2010 22:43

here it is

Original poster
TheFirstLady · 15/03/2010 23:06

Thanks Orlando, Remembrance looks just right.

OP posts:
MotherJack · 15/03/2010 23:23

Oh, they are all my dad's books - he died a few years ago. He was a proper bookworm and loved books and having been a Para conscripted in National Service his interest was focussed on war, mainly WW1 and WW2.

We're left with a vast collection. I sell the antiquarian and first edition ones on Ebay from time to time, but I like to give specific interest ones away to homes where I feel they would be appreciated as much as my dad appreciated them, as I know he would have loved that. He does have a large collection of children's books, too, but I don't think the two areas overlap. If I do ever find one I will let you know!

bamboo · 15/03/2010 23:27
Original poster
TheFirstLady · 15/03/2010 23:38

It's not really suitable for an 8 year old, bamboo. Anna is married and has to go back to Germany when her mother attempts suicide by taking an overdose of barbiturates. Some of the hospital stuff is quite graphic and could be rather frightening. Actually, it's probably really unsuitable for a 10 year old too, but DD2 is an odd creature. I wouldn't have gone out of my way to encourage her to read it though.

OP posts:
bamboo · 15/03/2010 23:44

Oh, that's sad about her mother. Will definitely leave it for a bit, thanks.

madamehooch · 16/03/2010 07:09

Try 'The TV Time Travellers' by Pete Johnson. Five children take part in a tv show where they have to live the life of World War II evacuees. Also 'Back Home' by Michelle Magorian.

Original poster
TheFirstLady · 16/03/2010 11:41

Thanks MadameHooch. I will add those to my list. She has a £25 Amazon voucher to spend so I am trying to pull some suggestions together that she can choose from.

OP posts:
jeee · 16/03/2010 11:42

War poems?

DuchessOfAvon · 19/03/2010 20:17

The Machine Gunners - RObert Westall

A Little Love SOng - Michelle Margorian - but is prob a bit old for her yet. There is a lot of unmarried sex in it - but not explicitly.

MrsWobbleTheWaitress · 19/03/2010 20:26

Fireweed

cakeforbrains · 19/03/2010 20:32

The boy in the striped pyjamas?

PixieOnaLeaf · 19/03/2010 20:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

ShowOfHands · 19/03/2010 20:48

I came on to suggest The Machine Gunners, also Blitz Cat, also by Robert Westall.

AppleAndBlackberry · 19/03/2010 20:48

'War Boy' is good. Also was there some WW2 stuff in 'Boy' by Roald Dahl?

GnocchiGnocchiWhosThere · 19/03/2010 20:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GnocchiGnocchiWhosThere · 19/03/2010 20:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

bruffin · 19/03/2010 20:57

Iva Ibbotson The Dragonfly Pool is set in WW2 but I think it's fantasy as well. DD adored it.

When I was young I remember reading books by David Rees which were set in WW2. There was one called The Exeter Blitz. I don't think they are in print anymore but seem to be available second hand on amazon.

Also how about Johnny and The Bomb by Terry Pratchet

Ivykaty44 · 19/03/2010 20:57

the boy in the stripped pj's is a little harrowing at the end

The film changes the ending and is really not having the same effect as the end of the book - which I really struggled with for days....

PixieOnaLeaf · 19/03/2010 20:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

PootleTheFlump · 19/03/2010 21:02

Second the later Michelle Magorians and most of Robert Wetsalls have a WW2 slant. I read a lot of my Mum's old Noel Streatfields when i was younger, and am sure some of them are set in the war. There is also a trilogy about 3 generations of women in the same family, and the first is WW1 based, second WW2 and the last modern-day, will have a think and google for you.

cakeforbrains · 19/03/2010 21:03

IvyKaty - I've not seen the film, how did they change the ending? Yes, the ending to the book is harrowing, but it's pretty impossible to read about the Holocaust without coming across distressing stuff.

I'd also suggest the graphic novel Maus by Speigelman and Night by Elie Wiesel.