The most recommended books about Warsaw

Who picked these books? Meet our 20 experts.

20 authors created a book list connected to Warsaw, and here are their favorite Warsaw books.
When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

What type of Warsaw book?

Loading...

Book cover of Milkweed

Michele C. Hollow Author Of Jurassic Girl: The Adventures of Mary Anning, Paleontologist and the First Female Fossil Hunter

From my list on middle graders to learn about the past.

Why am I passionate about this?

I work as a journalist and delight in telling true stories about amazing people. Sometimes, my feature stories are about famous people; other times, I focus on those who don't always get the attention they deserve. I love telling their stories, and I enjoy reading about people who do heroic acts. Mary Anning, the person I profiled in my book, and the main characters in some of my favorite middle-grade books face adversity and triumph. Moving forward after facing hardships is a message I love and want to share with others. Positive actions lead to happiness. 

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

Michele C. Hollow Why did Michele love this book?

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 horrors these soldiers caused. 

My son read the book in middle school and introduced it to me. Afterward, we talked about the holocaust and why it's important to never forget.

By Jerry Spinelli,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Milkweed as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 12, 13, 14, and 15.

What is this book about?

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 himself, and the other orphans. He's a boy who believes in bread, and mothers, and angels.

He's a boy who wants to be a Nazi, with tall, shiny jackboots of his own-until the day that suddenly makes him change his mind.

And when the trains come to empty the Jews…


Book cover of The Diary of Laura's Twin

Kathy Clark Author Of Ivan's Choice

From my list on youth during the Holocaust.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am a child of Holocaust survivors. It wasn’t until I was an adult that I truly appreciated the horrendous circumstances that they lived through. But even more than their plight and will to survive, I was impressed with the heroism of the people willing to sacrifice their lives in order to help others. It is their story, above all else that I want to tell in my books.

Kathy's book list on youth during the Holocaust

Kathy Clark Why did Kathy love this book?

This story effectively unites the present with the past. Two girls anticipate their Bat Mitzvah in very different circumstances. Laura learns to appreciate the freedoms she has to make her own choices through the past life of a girl the same age as her but facing severe limitations. It is a thought-provoking book for young teens.

By Kathy Kacer,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Diary of Laura's Twin as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 8, 9, 10, and 11.

What is this book about?

Title: The Diary of Laura's Twin <>Binding: Paperback <>Author: KathyKacer <>Publisher: SecondStoryPress


Book cover of The Silver Sword: A BBC Radio Full-Cast Dramatisation

David Long Author Of Survivors: Extraordinary Tales from the Wild and Beyond

From my list on adventure stories for young readers.

Why am I passionate about this?

Although as an adult I very much prefer true-life adventures to fictional ones – it’s why I wrote Heroes and Rescue, as well as Survivors – many of the most enjoyable books I read as a child were fictional accounts of daring and danger, mostly if not entirely centred on children with whom I could identify. I found them inspiring and still do, and can’t help feeling that if after nearly 50 years I can still remember so many of the details – and, trust me, I really can - the authors of these five must really have known what they were up to. I really hope no one will be put off them because of their age because I feel they have genuinely stood the test of time.

David's book list on adventure stories for young readers

David Long Why did David love this book?

Another real thriller that I still find exciting and completely compelling. After losing their parents in the chaos of war, three children are left alone to fend for themselves. While hiding from the Nazis amid the rubble of a ruined city, they meet a ragged orphan who shows them his ‘treasure,’ an old paperknife. Clearly the silver sword of the title, this was entrusted to him by an escaped prisoner of war but the children recognise it and realise the escapee must be their father. Taking the ‘sword’ as a message that he is alive, they set out to search for him. As a historian, I always try to smuggle education into my own books by disguising it as entertainment, and this book does that brilliantly.

By Ian Serraillier,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Silver Sword as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 9, 10, 11, and 12.

What is this book about?

A BBC radio full-cast dramatisation of Ian Serraillier's classic wartime story.

When the Germans march into Poland in 1941, the Balickis' happy family life is shattered. With their parents taken away by Nazis, Ruth, Edek and Bronia are forced to fend for themselves in the dangerous, war-ravaged city of Warsaw.

When Edek is captured too, the girls are desperate. Then they meet orphaned street urchin Jan, who carries with him a talisman of hope: a silver sword paperknife that they recognise as having belonged to their mother.

Realising that their parents may still be alive, Ruth and Bronia set off…


Book cover of Milkweed
Book cover of The Diary of Laura's Twin
Book cover of The Silver Sword: A BBC Radio Full-Cast Dramatisation

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

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

1,724

readers submitted
so far, will you?