Book List: Middle Fiction Novels about War and Conflict

Novels with a wartime setting can give younger readers an appreciation of the complex issues involved in war and conflict. They can provide insight into the personal impact of warfare that isn't necessarily conveyed so easily through non-fiction texts. The following books have settings that relate to specific historical events and conflict in general. They are suitable for children in upper primary and early high school years.

   
Light Horse Boy by Dianne Wolfer and Brian Simmonds, Fremantle Press, $26.99, 9781922089137 (KBR review here)

Lighthouse Girl by Dianne Wolfer and Brian Simmonds, Fremantle Press, $19.95, 9781921696572

 

Evan's Gallipoli by Kerry Greenwood, Allen & Unwin, $15.99, 9781743311356 (KBR review here)

 

Through My Eyes series. (Find out more at the Through My Eyes website)

Shahana by Roseanne Hawke, Allen & Unwin, $15.99, 9781743312469 (KBR review here)

Amina by J L Powers, Allen & Unwin, $15.99, 9781743312490 (KBR review here)

Naveed by John Heffernan, Allen & Unwin, $15.99, 9781743312483 (KBR review here)

1915: Jimmy's War (Do You Dare? series) by Sherryl Clark, Penguin Books, $14.99, 9780143308027

 

To Brave the Seas: A Boy at War by David McRobbie, Allen & Unwin, $15.99, 9781743313077 (KBR review here)

 

Heroes of Tobruk (My Australian Story) by David Mulligan, Scholastic, $16.99, 9781742833224

Angels of Kokoda bt David Mulligan, Lothian Children's Books, $17.99, 9780734408495

Tank Boys by Stephen Dando-Collins, Random House, $17.99, 9780857981301 (KBR review here)

Caesar the War Dog by Stephen Dando-Collins, Random House, $16.99, 9781742756318

Operation Blue Dragon (Caesar the War Dog #2) by Stephen Dando-Collins, Random House, $16.99, 9780857980533

Operation Pink Elephant (Caesar the War Dog #3) by Stephen Dando-Collins, Random House, $16.99, 9780857981684

 

The Donkey Who Carried the Wounded by Jackie French, HarperCollins, $14.99, 9780732288396

 

Battlefield by Alan Tucker, Scholastic, $16.99, 9781741695519

 

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne, Vintage Children's Classic, $12.99, 9780099572862 (KBR review here)

 

Hitler's Daughter by Jackie French, HarperCollins, $15.99, 9780007122721

Pennies for Hitler by Jackie French, HarperCollins, $15.99, 9780732292096

 

 

My Father's War (My Australian Story) by Sophie Masson, Scholastic, $16.99, 9781741698282

Gallipoli (My Australian Story) by Alan Tucker, Scholastic, $16.99, 9781742836935

The Bombing of Darwin (My Australian Story) by Alan Tucker, Scholastic, $16.99, 9781741697308

Kokoda (My Australian Story) by Alan Tucker, Scholastic, $16.99, 9781743622056

Other book lists on this topic:

Anzac Day Picture Books

Anzac Books Worth Knowing

Book List: Picture Books about War and Conflict

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