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.
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne is a historical fiction book that takes place during World War II. In this book, Bruno and his family leave their home in Berlin and move near a concentration camp where his father is now a commandant. In Berlin, Bruno had several close friends and loved exploring his house. After moving, he misses his friends and longs for his days of exploring to return.
This historical fiction novel by Anthony Doerr is a novel set against the backdrop of World War II and primarily follows two main characters, Marie-Laure LeBlanc and Werner Pfennig. Marie-Laure, a blind French girl, flees Paris with her father when the Germans invade. They seek refuge in Saint-Malo, carrying with them a precious jewel from the Museum of Natural History, where her father worked. As they navigate the challenges of the war, Marie-Laure's father constructs a miniature model of the city to help her memorize its layout.
Summary: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is a novel set in Nazi Germany, narrated by Death. The story follows Liesel Meminger, a young girl sent to live with foster parents, Hans and Rosa Hubermann, during World War II. Despite the grim backdrop, Liesel finds solace in stealing books and sharing them with her neighbors and the Jewish man hidden in her basement. The novel explores themes of the power of words, the impact of human connections, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
Set during World War II, All the Light We Cannot See focuses on the lives of Marie-Laure LeBlanc and Werner Pfennig. Marie-Laure is a young girl from France who becomes blind early in her childhood. Werner is a boy in Germany who, raising his little sister, finds interest in radios after an encounter with one early in life. When Marie and Werner become older teenagers, World War II is on the brink. Marie-Laure’s father leaves and leaves his daughter with her uncle, Etienne.
During WWII 8-year-old Bruno and his family had to move to a new house, and his father had to relocate for work. Bruno was bored with the new house and he missed his friends. Bruno noticed a “farm” as he called it, while looking out of his window. Bruno was always exploring new things. He was told not to explore in the backyard but he wanted to explore the “farm”. He met a boy named Shmuel. Shmuel is a Jew in a camp but Bruno doesn’t fully understand what that means. The story gets more intense and surprising as you watch.
Summary: White Rose by Kip Wilson is a young adult historical novel in verse that tells the gripping true story of Sophie Scholl, a courageous anti-Nazi activist in Nazi Germany during World War II. Through beautifully crafted poems, the book portrays Sophie's transformation from a young and idealistic student to a fearless resistor who, along with her brother Hans and their friends, forms the White Rose resistance group.
