Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys is a historical fiction novel set in the final months of World War II, centered around the tragic sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff, a real-life maritime disaster that claimed over 9,000 lives. The story follows four young refugees—Joana, a Lithuanian nurse, Florian, a Prussian art restorer, Emilia, a Polish girl, and Alfred, a German soldier—each harboring their own secrets and traumas.
Summary: Catch-22 by Joseph Heller is a satirical novel set during World War II, focusing on the absurd and paradoxical experiences of Captain John Yossarian, a U.S. bomber pilot stationed on the fictional island of Pianosa.
Working her way up in the Hollywood film industry after World War II, Clara’s predictable life takes a turn when she discovers the unthinkable: the studios biggest star dead in the film vault. And along with this bad news, her refugee parents want to return to Germany after many years, uprooting Clara from Las Angeles. As Clara becomes more invested in the mystery, the secrets revealed are dangerous for her and her fellow colleague, and love interest, Gil. Will Clara crack the case and bring the justice that the victim deserves?
Hanneke Bakks is still grieving over her lost lover, Bas, when she decides to turn to stealing goods from the black market and selling them in order to gain money for herself and her family. It’s a nasty business that she ensures her parents and friends don’t find out about. She decides to keep her methods secret to make sure that her job is done skillfully and without prying eyes, especially in Amsterdam in 1943, which is filled with German occupation.
Summary: The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah is a historical novel set during World War II, focusing on the lives of two French sisters, Vianne and Isabelle Rossignol. As the Nazis occupy France, Vianne is forced to endure the hardships and moral dilemmas of living under enemy rule while trying to protect her daughter. Meanwhile, the rebellious Isabelle joins the French Resistance, risking her life to save downed Allied airmen and undermine the German forces.
Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief is a Young Adult Fiction novel that tells Liesel Meminger’s story—a young girl living in Germany during World War II. Constantly faced with loss and tragedy, Liesel hopes to find meaning in her life—she does so through her fascination with books. Occupying her time with words and as many books as she can find, she is faced with the reality of the war—the oppression in Nazi Germany, losing the people she loves, and the consequences of doing the right, but dangerous thing.
Soul Lanterns by Shaw Kuzki is about a twelve-year-old girl named Nozomi. She lives in the Japanese city of Hiroshima. The city she lives in was bombed 25 years ago and caused many deaths of innocent people. During a certain time of the year, people from Hiroshima put lanterns in water and let them float as a memorial for the loved ones they lost during the devastating bombing that took place 25 years ago. As usual, during the holiday Nozomi's mom was placing two lanterns in water, a colored one and a white one.
The Diamond Eye is a historical fiction novel written by Kate Quinn. The book is centered around Mila Pavlichenko, a student turned sniper who fought during the Nazi invasion of World War II and was later recognized for her achievements. The story begins with her trying to again convince her then husband to divorce her. As her husband belittles her and shames her for not having a father in her son. Thus, she enrolls in a rifle shooting class in order to teach her son how to shoot.
The Boy at the Top of the Mountain by John Boyne is a historical fiction book that takes place during World War II. After his mother’s death in 1935, Pierrot is now an orphan. He feels alone until he discovers that his Aunt Beatrix is arranging for him to live with her. Aunt Beatrix works as a servant in Aldolf Hitler’s home located on top of a German mountain. As Pierrot begins to adapt to his new life, he and Hitler form an unusual relationship.
