War stories have a perennial fascination for children, perhaps because even when life is challenging, a story about a child overcoming adversity in wartime shows that a happy ending is always possible. With the release of Katrina Nannestad’s latest World War II story, it seems like a good time to also revisit some of our most beloved stories set during that time, both contemporary and classic.

Rabbit, Soldier, Angel, Thief by Katrina Nannestad

The reader is transported to Russia and into the life of Sasha, a soldier at only six years old …

It’s spring, 1942. The sky is blue, the air is warm and sweet with the scent of flowers. And then everything is gone. Only Sasha remains. But one small boy, alone in war-torn Russia, cannot survive. What that small boy needs is an army.

From the author of We Are Wolves comes the story of a young boy who becomes a soldier at six, fighting in the only way he can – with love.

Suitable for readers aged 10 and up.

When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit by Judith Kerr

This semi-autobiographical classic, written by the beloved Judith Kerr, tells the story of a Jewish family escaping Germany and becoming refugees in the days before the Second World War.

One day in 1933, Anna’s father was missing. Then she herself and her brother Max were being rushed by their mother, in alarming secrecy, away from everything they knew - home and schoolmates and well-loved toys - right out of Germany…

Suitable for readers aged 9 and up.

The War that Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

An exceptionally moving story of triumph against all odds, set during World War Two.

Nine-year-old Ada has never left her one-room flat. Her mother is too humiliated by Ada’s twisted foot to let her outside. So when her little brother Jamie is shipped out of London to escape the blitz, Ada sneaks out to join him.

So begins a new adventure for the two children, but in the end, will Ada and her brother fall back into the cruel hands of their mother?

A contemporary classic for readers aged 9 and up.

The Silver Sword by Ian Serraillier

Set in Warsaw after the war and having lost their parents in the chaos, Ruth, Edek and Bronia are left alone to fend for themselves and hide from the Nazis amid the rubble and ruins of their city. They meet a ragged orphan boy, Jan, who treasures a paper knife - a Silver Sword - which was entrusted to him by an escaped prisoner of war.

The three children realise that the escapee was their father, the Silver Sword a message that he is alive and searching for them. Together with Jan they begin a dangerous journey across the battlefields of Europe to find their parents.

Suitable for readers aged 9 and up.

Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian

Young Willie Beech is evacuated to the country as Britain stands on the brink of WW2. A sad, deprived child, he slowly begins to flourish under the care of old Tom Oakley - but his new-found happiness is shattered by a summons from his mother back in London …

Goodnight Mister Tom won the Guardian Children’s Fiction Award.

Suitable for readers aged 9 and up.

When the World was Ours by Liz Kessler

A powerful and heart-breaking novel about three childhood friends living during the Second World War whose fates are closely intertwined, even when their lives take very different courses.

Vienna. 1936. Three young friends - Leo, Elsa and Max - spend a perfect day together, unaware that around them Europe is descending into a growing darkness. With their lives taking them across Europe will they ever find their way back to each other? Will they want to?

Inspired by a true story, this novel shows how the bonds of love, family and friendship allow glimmers of hope to flourish, even in the most hopeless of times.

Suitable for readers aged 11 and up.

The Secret Horses of Briar Hill by Megan Shepherd

December 1941; Britain is at war. Emmaline has been evacuated away from the bombs to Briar Hill Hospital in Shropshire. When she gets there she discovers a secret. It’s not to be shared, not to be told to anyone, even her friend Anna. But she’ll tell you.

This is Emmaline’s secret. There are winged horses that live in the mirrors of Briar Hill.

Exquisitely illustrated by Levi Pinfold, winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal, The Secret Horses of Briar Hill has all the makings of a modern classic.

Suitable for readers aged 9 and up.