Looking for WWII fiction for ds11

[Night Elf]

My ds11 is not a fiction reader. He prefers encyclopedia type books. We are trying to broaden his reading and we are looking for secular stories that take place in WWII with the war as a background, not necessarily the main focus. We would greatly appreciate recommendations!

[Carol in Cal.]

There are a lot of British novels that have WWII as a backdrop--"The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe" comes to mind. That does talk about the life and times during the war, but refers to it so slightly that it might not meet your purpose.

[Chris in VA]

These are from Sonlight:

 

The Endless Steppe - Hautzig SL6 (Russia WW II) This one is heartbreaking.

 

Snow Treasure - McSwigan SL6 (WW II) Chilren rescue gold form Nazis

 

Number the Stars - Lowry SL6 (WW II) Family helps Jews escape

 

Escape from Warsaw - Serraillier SL6 (WW II)

 

Farewell to Manzanar - Houston SL7 (WW II Japanese internment camp) American Japanese family goes to the camps--little known segment of history

 

Hope this helps.

[clwcain]

Mary Norton's The Magic Bed Knob; or, How to Become a Witch in Ten Easy Lessons and Bonfires and Broomsticks might fit the bill, although they might also bore an 11 year old boy to tears. Further, I don't know if they're still in print. Like Lewis' Narnia books they involve British children sent into rural England during the Blitz. The movie Bedknobs & Broomsticks was based on these books.

 

I recall reading books like Guadalcanal Diaries, and The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich at that age, although both are non-fiction, and I was a very precocious boy.

 

I recall that The Bridge Over the River Kwai is a novel, but based on actual events during the war. But it, too, might be advanced for your ds11.

 

Perhaps a card catalog search (boy will that date me) of the local library under Fiction and WWII?

 

Sorry I'm not of more help.

[Carol in Cal.]

"QBVII" is about the aftermath of WWII

"Battlecry" is about a group of guys that go through basic training and then go to war in the South Pacific during WWII.

"Exodus" is about the founding of Israel.

[Jenny in Atl]

Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli might be a good one.

[Night Elf]

Oh thank you! These are great to get started with. And may I say I'm totally delighted to hear Bedknobs and Broomsticks is based on a book series. I just didn't know that and it's one of my favorite Disney movies! I'm definitely going to track those down even if no one else wants to read them. :)

[mcconnellboys]

We also really liked Number the Stars this year. It was new to me, along with My Friend, the Enemy, which also brought out a little known fact about the Japanese sending aerial bombs over the western US during the war.

[Julie in GA]

The Shadow Series, by Piet Prins. Titles include:

The Lonely Sentinel

Hideout in the Swamp

The Grim Reaper

The Partisans, and

Sabotage.

 

Also,

It Began with a Parachute

Snow Treasure

Hey Mac! - this is a first-hand account by a combat infantryman

[Capt_Uhura]

My son LOVED this series. http://www.amazon.com/Scramble-Tales-RAF-Book-Patterson/dp/1929031009/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1209162055&sr=8-13 Ren Learning had it at 6th grade level but I think that is only b/c of the content, it's an easier read than that. they are out of print so you have to buy them used.

[Carol in Cal.]

They would be perfect for this age, but they are very expensive on the used market and I can't seem to find them in our libraries.

[Michelle T]

My son LOVED this series. http://www.amazon.com/Scramble-Tales-RAF-Book-Patterson/dp/1929031009/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1209162055&sr=8-13 Ren Learning had it at 6th grade level but I think that is only b/c of the content, it's an easier read than that. they are out of print so you have to buy them used.

 

 

I got them all used, and DS loved them. He also really enjoyed Number the Stars, My Friend My Enemy, Snow Treasure,

 

Okay, drawing a blank now. I know there were others, but can't think of the titles. He is very interested in WW2, so we've spent a lot of time reading on it.

Michelle T

[Lynn in WI]

Another vote for Snow Treasure and I'd also recommend When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit -- not technically WWII as it takes place in the '30's but compelling reading nonetheless. Both of my boys enjoyed this book immensely.

[Dee in MI]

We're reading Escape from Warsaw right now. (It was originally titled "The Silver Sword".) It is about a family of children who travel to Warsaw near the end of WWII to find their parents. The tone is just right for my slightly sensitive ten year old. It's serious, but not dreadful. He wouldn't be ready for Anne Frank, for example.