The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is one of the most powerful stories that I have read. Taking place during the Holocaust, this book’s depth is immediately apparent (as is any story in the face of such a great tragedy.) The story centers around a girl named Liesel, who loses her family at the novel’s opening, and thus finds herself in the care of the Huberman family. The Huberman family provides Liesel with a new warmth that had been lacking previously in her life–they represent, for her, a true family.
The Devil’s Arithmetic is a novel written by Jane Yolen. It begins with Hannah Stern, a 12 year old Jewish girl from current day New Rochelle, celebrating Passover with her relatives. Suddenly, Hannah is transported to 1941, where she is mistaken for a girl named Chaya. Hannah and the other Jewish people in her village are then tricked into going to a Nazi concentration camp. Hannah and her new friends go through all kinds of torture and eventually can’t take it anymore.
Harry Turtledove's Hitler's War is an action-packed entry in the World War series, continuing the gripping alternate history where aliens invade Earth during World War II. This installment delves deeper into the global conflict, showcasing humanity's ongoing struggle against the technologically superior Race.
Harry Turtledove's Last Orders is an action-packed alternate history novel that plunges readers into World War II where the United States is losing. The narrative centers on the evacuation of Southern California as Japanese forces advance, focusing on a diverse group of characters and their desperate struggles for survival.
A book narrated by death, who follows a young lonely girl through Nazi Germany. This is perhaps my favorite book of all time. The story telling is superb, the writing divine and the characters and plot weave a tale that will leave you in tears. Such a fascinating idea, to write a book narrated by death, its surprising it took so long for someone to think of it. It could so easily be overdone, made cheesy and lifeless but Zusak perfectly captures the essence of death in a meaningful and brilliant way.
Salt to the Sea is a haunting and beautifully written historical fiction novel that talks about one of the greatest marine disasters in history—the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff in 1945.
Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson is a thriller book that combines two timelines: World War II and the late 1990s. The book explores cryptography, war and the rise of digital currencies. During WWII, mathematicians and codebreakers like Lawrence Waterhouse and soldier Bobby Shaftoe worked to break Axis codes while maintaining the secrecy of their successes.
The Book Thief follows Liesel, a young girl living in Nazi Germany who finds solace in stealing books and learning to read with the help of her foster father, Hans. As war intensifies, she forms deep connections with Rudy, her best friend, and Max, a Jewish man hiding in their basement, all while the narrator, Death, observes their lives unfold. Markus Zusak’s storytelling transcends mere narration; it becomes an exploration of the human heart in the face of unimaginable adversity.
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr is a heart-wrenching story told from two perspectives during World War II. The book follows Marie-Laure LeBlanc, a blind French girl, and Werner Pfennig, a German orphan. While trying to escape ongoing German occupation, Marie-Laure and her father reside on the coast of France. Meanwhile, Werner’s intrinsic talent for engineering radios ultimately causes the two characters to cross paths in Saint-Malo.
Refugee by Alan Gratz is an exciting and emotional book that tells the stories of three young refugees from different times and places: Nazi Germany, 1990s Cuba and modern-day Syria. Josef, Isabel and Mahmoud as protagonists face tough challenges, like escaping danger and crossing dangerous waters to find safety and refuge. Gratz does a great job of mixing action with deep emotion, making the characters’ struggles feel real.
