World War II

This carefully curated selection of titles examines the history, politics, and social impacts of World War II and its indelible mark on the world. The Collection highlights global perspectives through historical fiction, memoirs and biographies, and nonfiction titles that discuss topics including the Holocaust, the atomic bombings of Japan, and the effects of conflict.

When My Name Was Keoko

by Linda Sue Park

Publication year 2002

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Community

Tags Historical Fiction, Asian Literature, Korean Literature, Children`s Literature, World War II, Military & War, World History, Japanese Literature

When My Name Was Keoko (2002) is a young adult work of historical fiction by Linda Sue Park about the Japanese occupation of Korea during World War II. Many praise the novel for how it exposes this often overlooked topic in history, authentically portraying Korean life, culture, and perspective in the 1940s. Park wrote the narrative in alternating chapters from the first-person perspective voices of two Korean siblings: 10-year-old Sun-hee (aka Keoko) and 13-year-old Tae-yul... Read When My Name Was Keoko Summary

When the Elephants Dance

by Tess Uriza Holthe

Publication year 2002

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family

Tags World War II, Military & War, Asian Literature, World History, Historical Fiction, Magical Realism

When the Elephants Dance is Filipino-American writer Tess Uriza Holthe’s first novel. Published in 2002, it is based on Holthe’s father’s experiences growing up in the Philippines during World War II. The novel centers around a group of friends and neighbors seeking shelter in a cellar and sharing traditional moralistic Filipino legends that illustrate their resilience and the importance of stories for survival. The title is taken from a saying offered by one of the... Read When the Elephants Dance Summary

When the Emperor Was Divine

by Julie Otsuka

Publication year 2002

Genre Novel, Fiction

Tags Japanese Literature, Asian Literature, Historical Fiction, Education, Education, World War II, Military & War, World History

Japanese-American author Julie Otsuka’s historical fiction novel, When the Emperor Was Divine, was published in 2002. It is a short book, falling at the boundary between a novel and a novella, chronicling the experience of one Japanese family at an internment camp during World War II. The book is broken into five uneven sections: “Evacuation Order No. 19,” “Train,” “When the Emperor Was Divine,” “In a Stranger’s Backyard,” and “Confession.” The first three sections are... Read When the Emperor Was Divine Summary

White Bird

by R. J. Palacio

Publication year 2019

Genre Graphic Novel/Book, Fiction

Themes Disability, Death, Safety & Danger, Childhood & Youth, Coming of Age, Friendship, Memory, The Past, Fear, Family, War, Grief, Conflict, Fathers, Justice, Good & Evil, Power & Greed, Politics & Government, Trust & Doubt, Hope, Gratitude, Loneliness, Loyalty & Betrayal, Appearance & Reality, Nation

Tags Historical Fiction, Children`s Literature, Dramatic Literature, World War II, Holocaust, Military & War, World History

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Winter Garden

by Kristin Hannah

Publication year 2010

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes War, Family, Mothers, Memory, The Past, Grief, Perseverance

Tags Historical Fiction, Romance, World War II, Russian Literature, Modern Classic Fiction, World History

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With the Old Breed

by Eugene Sledge

Publication year 1981

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes War

Tags World War II, Military & War, US History, World History, Biography

E.B. Sledge’s memoir recounts his experiences fighting in the South Pacific during World War II. Serving in the First Marine Division, he was present at the some of the deadliest battles of that war. The book begins with the author’s experiences being trained as a new marine recruit, enduring boot camp and mortar man training. He then vividly describes his participation in two seminal conflicts of the Pacific campaign: Peleliu and Okinawa. Written in a... Read With the Old Breed Summary

Wolf by Wolf

by Ryan Graudin

Publication year 2015

Genre Novel, Fiction

Tags Historical Fiction, Science Fiction, World War II, World History, Fantasy, Action & Adventure

Wolf by Wolf (2015) is the first title in an alternative history series by young adult author Ryan Graudin. The first book in the series was named an Amazon Book of the Year and also made the list of Huffington Post’s Top Ten Young Adult Books of the Year. The sequel, entitled Blood for Blood (2016), covers events that take place shortly after the end of Wolf by Wolf. The short fiction title Iron to... Read Wolf by Wolf Summary

Woman on Fire

by Lisa Barr

Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Art, Memory, Family

Tags Historical Fiction, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Horror & Suspense, World War II, Modern Classic Fiction, World History, Arts & Culture

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Yellow Star

by Jennifer Roy

Publication year 2006

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes War, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Fear, Guilt, Childhood & Youth, Death, Safety & Danger

Tags Historical Fiction, Holocaust, World War II, Children`s Literature, Military & War, World History

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