Reading stories set during tumultuous historical times can be a gentle, age-appropriate way of introducing history to young readers. We currently have a swathe of brilliant new fiction for middle grade readers set during WWII in Europe, after the Chernobyl nuclear accident in the Ukraine, and in Australia last century.

Fritz and Kurt by Jeremy Dronfield

This moving story is based on the true story of the Kleinmann family, who lived in Vienna at the start of World War II. Two brothers, Fritz and Kurt, experienced very different lives after the Nazis invaded Vienna. Fritz was sent to a concentration camp with his father and then followed him to Auschwitz and somehow survived. Kurt escaped and travelled to America to be looked after by a foster family but never forgot his real family.

Including illustrations and a timeline of major events, this is an incredibly moving story of a family fighting for their lives. Readers will be astounded by their experiences and in awe of their survival instinct. Recommended for readers aged 9 and up. 

The Boy Who Didn’t Want to Die by Peter Lantos

Based on true events in the life of Hungarian Holocaust survivor, Peter Lantos, this is a heartrending story of how his family made a dramatic escape from Hungary when Hitler invaded in 1944.

At first, five-year-old Peter thought it was a brilliant adventure, but eventually the awareness seeps in that they are on the run for their very lives. The family gets separated, many of them never to be seen again, but Peter and his mother are sent to Belsen where they stay alive, with his mother teaching him school lessons and shielding him from the worst. Eventually, they are sent on a train journey to another concentration camp and are miraculously rescued by the Allies mid-journey – the war is finally over. This is a remarkable survival story that is powerful reading for ages 10 and up.

Dogs of the Deadlands by Anthony McGowan

Set in 1986 after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in Ukraine, this is the story of a young girl who escaped with her family, and the beloved dog that was left behind. Written mostly from dog Zoya’s point of view, she escapes into the wild and must learn to survive in the overgrown forest with many predators. Eventually, she mates with a wolf and has two cubs, whose lives continue the story.

Readers learn much about wolf behaviour and pack dynamics, in this fascinating tale of nature taking over after a major disaster. Many years later, the now grown girl returns to Chernobyl as a scientist and reconnects with the grown pups of her pet dog. This story of animals surviving after a human-created disaster is recommended for readers aged 9 and up.

A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus

During wartime in London, 1940, three orphaned children, William, Edmund and Anna, are sent to the countryside to be billeted with a family in relative safety. But the family they are put with are mean and treat them terribly, so when Edmund plays a rebellious prank they are again sent away. Eventually they are housed with the village librarian, who has been ostracised from polite society because her husband is German. She reads them the classics and finally provides them with a safe haven.

This is a beautiful wartime story for readers of The War that Saved my Life or Goodnight Mr Tom that is suitable for readers aged 11 and up. 

 Read review

Running with Ivan by Suzanne Neal

This is the story of thirteen-year-old Leo, who is very unhappy in his difficult life and dreams of escaping from his misery. When he turns the wheel on his mother’s old music box, he is magically transported back to 1930s Prague, which is on the brink of war. There, Leo befriends Ivan and the two have wonderful adventures before he must return to his own time.

When Leo manages to return to Prague again, he discovers that Hitler has invaded the city and he and Ivan must run for their lives if they are to survive. This is an exciting WWII adventure story for ages 10 and up. 

 Read review

Tumbleglass by Kate Constable

This is the story of Ash and her sister Rowan, who, with the help of a mysterious ring, are magically transported back to their current house during a party in 1999. While they are there, Ash accidentally disrupts the timeline and when she returns to the present day, she discovers that her sister no longer exists. With the help of a neighbour and a bit of magic, Ash continues to travel back in time to try and fix the timeline and ends up at various moments in Australian history during the 1900s, 1940s and 1970s.

This is a beautifully written time slip story about a family with many secrets, slowly revealed as Ash travels back through history. It is a thrilling read for ages 9 and up.