Milkweed

By Jerry Spinelli,

Book cover of Milkweed

Book description

A stunning novel of the Holocaust from Newbery Medalist, Jerry Spinelli. And don't miss the author's highly anticipated new novel, Dead Wednesday!

He's a boy called Jew. Gypsy. Stopthief. Filthy son of Abraham.

He's a boy who lives in the streets of Warsaw. He's a boy who steals food for…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Milkweed as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I wish everyone would read about the Holocaust. It's a hard topic to digest, especially for a child. The main character is an orphan trying to survive on the streets of Warsaw, Poland, during World War II. Parts of the book are frightening. 

Sadly, antisemitism has resurfaced today; it has never really disappeared. Carrying such hatred, whether in the past or the present, is hard for me to wrap my head around. Reading this book, I was able to get an inside look at a character who wanted to be a Nazi soldier until he truly understood the evil and…

From Michele's list on middle graders to learn about the past.

Want books like Milkweed?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Milkweed.

Browse books like Milkweed

Book cover of Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race
Book cover of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
Book cover of Dinosaurs Before Dark

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,629

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in Warsaw, the Holocaust, and Poland?

Warsaw 17 books
The Holocaust 421 books
Poland 122 books