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Quick answer: If your child liked Number the Stars, try Snow Treasure, The Devil's Arithmetic, When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit, Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes, The War That Saved My Life and Hana's Suitcase. They tell World War II stories for young readers with courage and heart.
Lois Lowry's 1989 Newbery winner follows ten-year-old Annemarie, who helps her Jewish friend Ellen escape in Nazi-occupied Denmark. It is gentle, honest and not graphic. Kids who love it want more age-appropriate historical fiction. These 15 books suit ages 8 to 12, and they deal with war and loss.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snow Treasure | Marie McSwigan | 8-12 | readers who like action |
| The Devil's Arithmetic | Jane Yolen | 10-14 | older readers |
| When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit | Judith Kerr | 8-12 | readers who like family stories |
| Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes | Eleanor Coerr | 8-11 | readers who want a short story |
| The War That Saved My Life | Kimberly Brubaker Bradley | 9-13 | readers who like heartfelt stories |
| Hana's Suitcase | Karen Levine | 8-12 | readers who like true stories |
| Yellow Star | Jennifer Roy | 9-13 | readers who like verse novels |
| The Upstairs Room | Johanna Reiss | 9-13 | readers who want a true account |
| Milkweed | Jerry Spinelli | 10-14 | older readers |
| Journey to America | Sonia Levitin | 9-13 | readers who like family stories |
| Echo | Pam Muñoz Ryan | 10-14 | readers who like musical stories |
| The Diary of a Young Girl | Anne Frank | 12+ | older readers |
| Refugee | Alan Gratz | 10-14 | readers who like action |
| The Boy Who Dared | Susan Campbell Bartoletti | 11-14 | older readers |
| Bridge to Terabithia | Katherine Paterson | 9-12 | readers who want emotion |
1. Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan
Norwegian children smuggle gold past Nazi soldiers on sleds. A fast, classic adventure.
Best for: readers who like action.
2. The Devil's Arithmetic by Jane Yolen
Hannah, a modern girl, is transported to a Nazi camp during a Passover seder. Time travel and history; includes difficult content.
Best for: older readers.
3. When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit by Judith Kerr
Anna's Jewish family flees Germany in 1933 and becomes refugees. Warm and semi-autobiographical.
Best for: readers who like family stories.
4. Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr
A girl who survived Hiroshima folds paper cranes in hope of healing. Short and moving.
Best for: readers who want a short story.
5. The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Ada, a girl with a clubfoot, escapes her mother and is evacuated from London. A Newbery Honor book.
Best for: readers who like heartfelt stories.
6. Hana's Suitcase by Karen Levine
A museum curator seeks the story of the girl who owned a suitcase from Auschwitz. Nonfiction, moving and clear.
Best for: readers who like true stories.
7. Yellow Star by Jennifer Roy
A girl tells of surviving in the Łódź Ghetto, based on her own family. Told in verse.
Best for: readers who like verse novels.
8. The Upstairs Room by Johanna Reiss
A Jewish girl hides in a Dutch farmhouse. A memoir and Newbery Honor book.
Best for: readers who want a true account.
9. Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli
An orphan in the Warsaw Ghetto tries to survive. Powerful and sad.
Best for: older readers.
10. Journey to America by Sonia Levitin
A Jewish family leaves Germany and tries to reunite in America. Based on real events.
Best for: readers who like family stories.
11. Echo by Pam Muñoz Ryan
Three children in different countries are tied together by a magic harmonica. Lyrical and clever.
Best for: readers who like musical stories.
12. The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
The real diary of Anne Frank, who hid in Amsterdam. Essential reading for older kids.
Best for: older readers.
13. Refugee by Alan Gratz
Three children in different eras flee their homes. Intense and fast.
Best for: readers who like action.
14. The Boy Who Dared by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
Helmuth Hübener, a German teen, resists the Nazis. Based on a true story.
Best for: older readers.
15. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
Jess and Leslie create a magic kingdom, until tragedy strikes. Not about war, but a moving companion about friendship and loss.
Best for: readers who want emotion.
How to Choose
For ages 8 to 10, start with Snow Treasure, Hana's Suitcase or Sadako. For ages 10 to 12, try The War That Saved My Life or When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit. For older readers, move to Milkweed or The Diary of a Young Girl. A simple plan is to read the book together and talk about courage and kindness. These books involve loss and fear, so be ready for questions. A good approach is to read a chapter a day and pause to talk about what Annemarie risks and why. You might also look at a map of Denmark and Sweden, or read a short, age-appropriate article about the Danish rescue of 1943.
Related: What Age Is Number the Stars Appropriate For? A Parent’s Guide · What Age Is The Fault in Our Stars Appropriate For? A Parent’s Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is Number the Stars for?
It is recommended for ages 9 to 12.
Is it a true story?
It is fiction, but it is based on the real rescue of Danish Jews in 1943.
Is it too sad for kids?
It has tense scenes and sadness, but it is gentle and ends with hope.
How can parents talk about the Holocaust with kids?
Start with a book like this one, explain simply, and answer questions honestly.
Where does the title come from?
It comes from a line about counting the stars that is quoted in the story, and it ties to the idea that every person matters.
Are there other books by Lois Lowry?
Yes, including The Giver for older readers.