Mohinder’s War

Mohinder’s War follows the journey of a young girl called Joelle, in the midst of Nazi-occupied France, who becomes unlikely friends with an Indian British RAF pilot. Joelle is a likeable character and shows great strength in the face of adversity, dealing with loss and the confusion of being exposed to war at a young age.

The narrative also gives children an insight into the role of soldiers from across the Commonwealth. This aspect would provide a great opportunity for teachers and children to research the sacrifices made by these individuals and the impact this had on the war. The book also gives space to questions children may have when encountering the Sikh religion and presents these in a respectful way that will allow children the opportunity to learn more about the religion. This could also prompt discussions in class and further research.

 Short chapters allow children to pace themselves easily and also allow teachers to fit in a chapter or two at the end of a very busy day as a whole-class story. An important and diverse option amid the sea of Second World War children’s books.