After the War by Tom Palmer

The Second World War is finally over and Yossi, Leo and Mordecai arrive in the English Lake District. Having survived the horrors of the Nazi concentration camps, they’ve finally reached a place of safety and peace, where they can hopefully begin to recover.

Themes: World War 2, the Holocaust, friendship, bereavement

Now or Never by Bali Rai

Fifteen-year-old Fazal runs away from his family in northern India and lies about his age to join up and serve the British Empire, just as his grandfather did during World War I. His first role is to look after the mules used to carry supplies to the front line, until he finds himself at Dunkirk...

Themes: World War 1, war, friendship, peril, animals

Firebird by Elizabeth Wein

Already a trained pilot, when war arrives in Russia, all Anastasia wants is to fight for her country. But when she tries to sign up, she’s sent home and told her role is to train new pilots, not be a fighter herself. With the creation of a specialist women’s flying unit, Anastasia’s chance to be a fighter pilot finally arrives.

Themes: World War 2, Russia, friendship, family, war

Already a trained pilot, when war arrives in Russia, all Anastasia wants is to fight for her country. But when she tries to sign up, she’s sent home and told her role is to train new pilots, not be a fighter herself. With the creation of a specialist women’s flying unit, Anastasia’s chance to be a fighter pilot finally arrives.

Themes: World War 2, Russia, friendship, family, war

Nisha’s War by Dan Smith

t’s 1942 and Nisha has just arrived at Barrow Island in Northumbria, after fleeing the Japanese invasion of Singapore. The island is cold, grey and very different to her beloved home in Malaya. She is haunted by a ghostly boy who only she can see.

Themes: World War 2, South-East Asian history, bereavement, refugees, coming of age

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier. Liesel, a nine-year-old girl, is living with a foster family on Himmel Street. Her parents have been taken away to a concentration camp. Liesel steals books. This is her story and the story of her street when the bombs begin to fall.

Themes: World War 2, Germany, war, family, friendship

White Bird by R.J. Palacio

This graphic novel tells the story of Julian’s Grandmère, whose idyllic childhood in France was brutally torn from her, when the Nazis began to round up innocent Jews and deport them for forced labour or extermination. She is reliant on a compassionate, brave family who kept her hidden and safe.

Themes: World War 2, coming of age, graphic novel, war, family

Sally Heathcote: Suffragette by Mary M. Talbot

This graphic novel tells the story of a fictional suffragette, during the campaign for votes for women. Sally’s story intertwines with real historical figures from the movement, and puts her in the middle of real events such as marches and the funeral procession for Emily Wilding Davison.

Themes: Edwardian Britain, suffrage, politics, women’s rights

Make More Noise

This anthology of short fiction marks the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage. Each of the ten stories is by an established woman writer, and is centred on a strong, interesting female character: some purely fictional, others based on historical figures.

Themes: women’s rights, suffrage, politics, human rights

This anthology of short fiction marks the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage. Each of the ten stories is by an established woman writer, and is centred on a strong, interesting female character: some purely fictional, others based on historical figures.

Themes: women’s rights, suffrage, politics, human rights

My Story: Suffragette by Carol Drinkwater

It's 1909. Dollie is swept up in the thrill of the campaign for Votes for Women. Against her guardian's wishes, she marches against Parliament with Emmeline Pankhurst and fellow suffragettes. Things turn violent, women are imprisoned and endanger their lives with hunger strikes.

Themes: Edwardian Britain, suffrage, politics, women’s rights

Stories of WW1 by Tony Bradman (editor)

Tony Bradman invited 12 renowned children's authors to write short stories about a wide range of experiences of the First World War, to show the wider impact of the war on their families at home. The book also highlights the changing role of women in society.

Themes: World War 1, war, bereavement, family, women’s history

City of Ghosts by Bali Rai

Based around the British massacre of Indians at Amritsar in 1919, this book also encompasses a degree of Indian folktale, featuring a ghostly guardian angel watching over one of the teenage protagonists.

Themes: empire, Indian history, racism, folklore, around the world, love and relationships

Based around the British massacre of Indians at Amritsar in 1919, this book also encompasses a degree of Indian folktale, featuring a ghostly guardian angel watching over one of the teenage protagonists.

Themes: empire, Indian history, racism, folklore, around the world, love and relationships

Pirates by Celia Rees

Two young women, one escaping marriage to an evil and domineering man, the other a runaway slave wanted for murder, choose to live as buccaneers. The girls form a deep and loving friendship as they search for love, wealth and happiness, while trying to keep one step ahead of the sinister, black pirate.

Themes: adventure, pirates, found family, coming of age