Today on OOM we are celebrating Veterans Day, honoring those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. One way in which we can honor veterans is to read about different kinds of war and war experiences. See below for some of our newest war related books published this year for young readers.
Military Animals with Dog Tags by Laurie Caulkhoven (Ages 7–10): Everyone knows that soldiers entered battlefields on horseback, but did you know that some warriors rode elephants into combat? You may have heard of bomb-sniffing dogs, but what about bomb-sniffing honeybees? Learn all about these incredible animals that have aided the military in the air, on land, and by sea. Discover how dolphins, bears, pigs, penguins, and even glowworms became heroes in times of war. When technology couldn’t help, these amazing animals could!
Courage & Defiance: Stories of Spies, Saboteurs, and Survivors in World War II Denmark by Deborah Hopkinson (Ages 8–12): Deborah Hopkinson traces the stories of the heroic young men and women of Denmark who would not stand by as their country was occupied by the Nazis. Some were spies, passing tactical information to the British; some were saboteurs, who aimed to hamper and impede Nazi operations in Denmark; and 95% of the Jewish population of Denmark were survivors, rescued by their fellow countrymen, who had the courage and conscience that drove them to act.
10 True Tales: War Heroes from Iraq by Allan Zullo (Ages 8–12): Experience the thrilling and dangerous stories of 10 American heroes who risked their lives while serving their country in Iraq. Readers won’t soon forget these incredible true stories.
My Brother’s Secret by Dan Smith (Ages 8–12): A fascinating new perspective on World War II; a fictitious, personalized take on the real-life rebel German youth group, the Edelweiss Pirates. Karl Friedman is only 12 and is training to join the Hitler Youth. Stefan, Karl's nonconformist older brother, wants nothing to do with it. After their father is killed, Karl’s faith in the Führer is shaken: Is Hitler a national hero—or a villain? Karl soon finds out as he joins his brother in a dangerous rebellion against the burgeoning threat of Nazism.
Code of Honor by Alan Gratz (Ages 12 and up): Code of Honor, written by award-winning author Alan Gratz, is a heart-pounding journey through the political and cultural landscape of post-9/11 America and the battle-torn world at large, woven onto a poignant tale of brotherly love.
