World War II for 10 year old boy?

I am wondering what classic/living books could be recommended for my son. He is avidly reading everything I put in front of him about World War II. The list so far includes: A History of US, The Children of the Promise Series (Would these be considered classic anyone?), Saints at War, The DK Children's Encyclopedia of American History, Cornerstones of Freedom Iwo Jima and the Holocaust Museum, and God's Hand in the Building of America from the Kimber Academy. I thought Anne Frank is too much about a girl coming of age for him, so what else? What kind of "hands on" projects could we do? This is my first real stab at following his interest in my second year of homeschool and I am open to suggestions. Thank you.

Re: World War II for 10 year old boy?

My son really liked I Am David (previously published as North to Freedom). We have also read Number the Stars and my personal favorite is The Hiding Place. We have a copy of The Devil's Arithmetic but have not read it yet.

Re: World War II for 10 year old boy?

One book that is on my list to read about WWII is "Salvaged Pages: Young Writers' Diaries of the Holocaust" by Alexandra Zapruder. It is a collection of journals of children from WWII. It is a larger book (about 500 pages) but with your son reading what he is, it might not be an issue. My 10 yr old son really enjoyed the book "The Key is Lost" -it is a quick read but very enjoyable. It focuses on two girls and their run from the Nazis. It explains a lot what they did in their spare time while hiding all day. Aneladie Milne recommended the book "Yearning for the living God" by Elder Encio Bucshe. It is a beautiful book about the journey of a young man (the author) to find the LDS church in a post germany world. It is very eye opening how he points out how Hitler was able to take over Germany and how those practices are very rampant today. "Greatest Generation" is a good one too--its an American point of view of course. I don't think Anne Frank would be to much for him. He is already reading some powerful stuff and is well aware that not everyone in the war lived. It could make the era much more personable since Anne was very young. Ellie Wizel's book Night is very good--but I do not recommend it for your son. It would be good for your education but I don't know if a 10 year old could handle how graphic the descriptions are.--You'd have to judge that.
As for activities there are time lines that could be made, he could interview soldiers of WWII (record them if he wants!) You can look up music popular at the time. http://wars.mrdonn.org/WW2.html has some good resources, the power points are graphic. So you might want to screen them before having him watch them.
Good luck!
and happy inspiring!
Bonita

WWII for 10 year old boy

I realize this post was a LOOOOONG time ago but I just have to add the book "Don't You Know There's a War On?" by Avi. My two boys, ages 11 and 15, and I sat down and read it together in 5 hours. We couldn't stop. It was great! So if anyone else is reading the archives and wondering about WWII for their kids - get this book! It is a great way to learn about what life was like for the kids back home in America - plus it is hilarious!

Jody

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