I need one really good World War II book..

[Heather in VA]

Not historical fiction. One that will act like an in-depth spine during our WWII study. My dd is 8th grade - excellent reader - really into history.

So far for WWII she'll be reading:

Stalin: Russia's Man of Steel - Albert Marrin
The Rise and Fall of Adolf Hitler - William Shirer

I'd like this in-depth spine and then I'll add a few historical novels. (I'm up for recommendations on those too). I do have to be careful though to make sure we don't take the rest of the year on WWII LOL

Oh - and we'll be taking a trip to the Holocaust museum too.

Thanks

Heather

[Ali in OR]

We use Biblioplan and will be covering this next year. A recommendation of theirs that I mentally put in my "must buy" category is Stephen Ambrose's The Good Fight: How World War II Was Won. I have not bought it yet and have not seen it in person yet, but it may be a good one for you to consider. I think I saw it in the VP catalog and here is the Amazon page on it.

http://www.amazon.com/Good-Fight-How-World-War/dp/0689843615/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1235336873&sr=8-1

[Karen in CO]

The Good Fight: How World War II Was Won by Ambrose. Is probably my top recommendation. It is a very visual text and covers the causes of the war and the effects of the war.

and

World War II for Kids: A History with 21 Activities is lighter and a good way to bring in some activities and fold in younger kids.

Both of these are from a distinctly American pov.


When you are looking into fiction - look at different versions of the Sadako story. Also The Devil's Arithmetic would be good since you are planning a trip to the Holocaust Museum.

[Chris in VA]

Might I also recommend you let her watch Band of Brothers? It's so excellent. I'd also let her read The Hiding Place, and watch Schindler's List. Here are some other Holocaust sites you may be interested in perusing:

Corrie Ten Boom (http://www.corrietenboom.com/exhbits.htm)

Schindler's List activities (http://www.southerninstitute.info/holocaust_education/slindex.html)

Holocaust art from inmates (http://fcit.coedu.usf.edu/holocaust/resource/gallery/FWALL.htm)

[winoelle]

I suggest Usborne's "Second World War", it is internet-linked and really excellent. They have quite a few titles to go along with that study also.

Noelle

[Carol in Cal.]

One is "Hitler" which covers the background of the European war very well, as well as the progress of it. The other is about the Pacific front, and I don't remember the name of it. It doesn't seem quite as engaging to me, with its long descriptions of ships and their names, but it does describe the bombing of Pearl Harbor extraordinarily well.

If your DD is a strong reader, she might enjoy "Battle Cry" by Leon Uris. This is a historical fiction book that encompasses a group of Marines from their early years through their WWII battles and beyond. It is written for adults, though, and it does have some s*ual content--you might want to preread. It gives the flavor of the times very well, as best as I can tell. I remember enjoying it in early high school.

"Number the Stars" is one of my favorite books about that period. It is fiction but is based on a true story. It's probably a little easy for your DD but it's so well written and true that I think everyone should read it.

"Hitler Youth" tells the story of the war from the standpoint of Germans who were young at the time that it started. It has lots of period photographs. It really illustrates well how a facist state functions, and it is non-fiction.

"The Moon Is Down" by John Steinbeck is absolutely not to be missed. It is fiction, but it basically tells the story of a Nazi takeover of a Northern European town/country, and the gradual rise in the underground. More than any book I have ever read, this one elucidates the difference between a free society and a facist state.

[Heather in VA]

"The Moon Is Down" by John Steinbeck is absolutely not to be missed. It is fiction, but it basically tells the story of a Nazi takeover of a Northern European town/country, and the gradual rise in the underground. More than any book I have ever read, this one elucidates the difference between a free society and a facist state.

Question about Steinbeck... I have been putting his books off until high school because in general I find his themes to be rather socialist and definately more liberal than I teach in my home. I'd rather wait until we can have more in-depth discussions about those kinds of issues (although she's heard me ranting enough lately about politics that maybe there is no point in waiting LOL).

Anyway, the descriptions of 'The Moon is Down' seem like they wouldn't touch on this kind of thing but how do you think it would be knowing how I've felt about other Steinbeck works?

Thanks
Heather

[mcconnellboys]

I think I'd choose one of Marrin's books as a non-fiction spine for this period.

[Carol in Cal.]

Question about Steinbeck... I have been putting his books off until high school because in general I find his themes to be rather socialist and definately more liberal than I teach in my home. I'd rather wait until we can have more in-depth discussions about those kinds of issues (although she's heard me ranting enough lately about politics that maybe there is no point in waiting LOL).

Anyway, the descriptions of 'The Moon is Down' seem like they wouldn't touch on this kind of thing but how do you think it would be knowing how I've felt about other Steinbeck works?

Thanks
Heather

But his material is really quite varied.

He has books that are more socialistic, but "The Moon Is Down" is definitely not one of them. It actually felt very stirringly patriotic, in an olden days kind of way, to read it. I hear that it was used as anti-Nazi propaganda by the allies or the Resistance during WWII, although I don't know for sure whether that is true. It is quite different from his other three genres.

[Soph the vet]

Is she up for Mein Kampf or The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich? Just kidding. We just finished WWII and used The Good Fight. It was good but I would not call it "in depth". It is a survey of major battles,etc. We read everything recommended in Biblioplan.

[Lizzie in Ma]

It is put out by Life magazine and is called
The Second World War, by Winston Churchill.
Special Edition for Young Readers
A Deluxe Golden Book

Library of Congress catalog # 60-14880
1960 Golden Press

It is a gorgeous oversize book with photos and I was thrilled to find it because my almost 8th grader isn't ready for his 6 book adult series on it nor is she ready for my other choice, the William Shirer books.
It is in depth and solid and I personally adore reading Churchill.
Don't know if it is easily found but I hope so, it is worth owning.

[Heather in VA]

It is put out by Life magazine and is called
The Second World War, by Winston Churchill.
Special Edition for Young Readers
A Deluxe Golden Book

Library of Congress catalog # 60-14880
1960 Golden Press

It is a gorgeous oversize book with photos and I was thrilled to find it because my almost 8th grader isn't ready for his 6 book adult series on it nor is she ready for my other choice, the William Shirer books.
It is in depth and solid and I personally adore reading Churchill.
Don't know if it is easily found but I hope so, it is worth owning.


This sounds so fabulous!! I went on a quest and found it at abebooks for $14. I can't wait until it gets here. I wanted her to read some Churchill but the 6 volume series is even more than I want to read, let alone an 8th grader.

THANKS!!!

[Lizzie in Ma]

This sounds so fabulous!! I went on a quest and found it at abebooks for $14. I can't wait until it gets here. I wanted her to read some Churchill but the 6 volume series is even more than I want to read, let alone an 8th grader.

THANKS!!!

Oh I am SO glad for you! I wish you joy of it.