Happy Veterans Day!

Recommended Books for Veterans Day

For Young Children

cover The Little Ships: The Heroic Rescue at Dunkirk in World War II (ages 7-10)
by Louise Borden

In this delightful picture book, Borden describes one of the most dramatic endeavors of World War II through the eyes of a child. A young English girl sails with her father when he joins the daring effort. She describes the risks along the way, as well as the awe-inspiring spectacle of more than 300,000 troops making their way back to safety aboard small, private vessels.

coverThe Wall (ages 4-8)
By Eve Bunting

A father and his young son visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to find the name of the grandfather the boy never met. In this brief, richly-illustrated story, Bunting captures the significance of the Memorial in child-like terms. Written for the youngest audiences, this work is a must read for children and adults alike. (Click here for softcover edition.)



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For Older Children, Tweens, and Young Teens

cover Behind the Blue and Gray: The Soldier's Life in the Civil War (ages 10-14)
by Delia Ray

This history of the Civil War created for young readers describes the lives of the soldiers themselves, many of them just teenagers when they took to the front lines. It includes period photographs.

coverJohnny Tremain (ages 9-14)
by Esther Forbes

Forbes' award-winning tale of a young silversmith's apprentice thrust into the middle of the Revolutionary War has proven a favorite for more than fifty years. The novel touches on the horrors of battle, and some scenes might be disturbing to young readers. For older readers, however, the novel provides an excellent glimpse into life along the battle lines. Differing from the novel in points, but also worthwhile is the classic Disney movie based on the book

cover The Little Ships: The Heroic Rescue at Dunkirk in World War II (ages 7-10)
by Louise Borden

In this delightful picture book, Borden describes one of the most dramatic endeavors of World War II through the eyes of a child. A young English girl sails with her father when he joins the daring effort. She describes the risks along the way, as well as the awe-inspiring spectacle of more than 300,000 troops making their way back to safety aboard small, private vessels.

cover My Brother Sam Is Dead (ages 9-14)
by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier

In this award-winning novel, young Tim is caught between his father's Tory sympathies and his brother's allegiance to the Patriot cause. Young readers see the human impact of the Revolutionary War through the eyes of a character their own age, as Tim's father perishes aboard a British prison ship and his brother is killed in battle.

coverScholastic Encyclopedia of the United States at War (ages 9-14)
by June A. English and Thomas D. Jones

This one-volume encyclopedia designed for upper elementary and middle school students provides information about every conflict in which the U.S. has participated. It includes background information on the wars, casualty totals, photographs, time lines, maps, descriptions of weapons, eyewitness accounts, and brief biographies of some of the best-known figures.

coverThe Tuskegee Airmen: Black Heroes of World War II (ages 10-14)
by Jacqueline L. Harris

This volume recounts the stories of the Tuskegee Airmen, the first African-American soldiers to train and serve as air pilots during World War II. Before helping to conquer the enemy overseas, they first had to conquer deep-rooted prejudice in their homeland. The work also discusses efforts to integrate the United States Armed Forces during the years that followed. 



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For Older Teens and Adults

Please note that the following works are tagged for older teen and adult readers. A few of these selections are simply classic works that merit reading by readers of all ages and have also been recommended for younger readers. Other recommended titles are more explicit in nature and not necessarily appropriate for younger readers even if within their ability to read and comprehend. Remember, war by its very nature is a harsh and graphic topic.

cover All But My Life (ages 14 and up)
by Gerda Weissmann Klein

A young when World War II ripped through her homeland, this Jewish author recalls her enslavement by the Nazis and ultimate liberation by American soldiers. Originally written for adult audiences, this work has gained a place in countless school reading programs. The non-fictional account contains some disturbing passages that wouldn't be suitable for young audiences, however.

cover Going Solo (ages 12 and up)
Roald Dahl

Turning from his typical tales to a more serious topic, best-loved children's author Roald Dahl writes of his own experiences as a pilot during World War II in this book geared toward young adult readers.



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Resources for Teachers



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