November 1920. The body of an unknown soldier is to be buried at Westminster Abbey. The war has claimed the lives of thousands of men whose bodies will never make it home, and the Unknown Warrior will represent them all. As hundreds of people crowd to Westminster Abbey, Daisy knows she has to make it to the ceremony. Because although they call the warrior ‘unknown’, she is sure that he is her father…
This classroom classic by award-winning Michael Morpurgo is an animal story set in World War 1. We love this new abridged edition of Morpurgo’s classic text, with colour illustrations by Tom Clohosy Cole.
This moving story explores the themes of military animals, conflict, peace and friendship. Some readers may be surprised to discover how horses were used in the war, and the mirrored experiences of the human and the animal reflect the consequences of conflict for both humanity and the wider natural world.
Older readers might like to use this as a companion to the original, longer text, or to explore it as a standalone. The combination of words and pictures is brilliantly brought together, with the use of light and dark in the illustrations bringing the story to life in an almost cinematic way.
Taking us back to first world war London, Rebecca Stevens delivers a tale of war, family and friendships but above all an inspirational story of ladies’ football.
This is a thoroughly enjoyable and realistic portrayal of a young woman’s plight during the First World War, the danger of the chemicals that some women were exposed to, the empowerment of women during this time and the realisation, once the war is over, that life would never be the same again.
In the small town of Whitby, everybody is preparing to do their part to support the war, including schoolgirl Evie and her little sister Kitty. Following the death of their younger brother, the two young girls find themselves thrust into school life, just as the war takes hold. Based on the real-life bombing of Whitby in 1914, this story is full of loss, love and hope.
This is a poignant story of courage and humanity, suitable for upper KS2. In wartime France, two young girls discover in the forest a deserter soldier who has escaped from the trenches. In his hand, he clutches a little silver charm shaped like a donkey. The girls enjoy secretly helping the soldier, listening to his stories and trying to come up with a plan to help him reach home. This is a very moving story that provides plenty of opportunities to reflect on the broader themes of war and pacifism.
This classroom classic by award-winning Michael Morpurgo gives voice to a soldier on the battlefields of World War 1. This moving story explores the power of memories to provide hope in difficult situations, as well as wider themes of courage and justice. This edition also contains additional materials to explain the historical context of the story.
For something a little bit different from the usual WW1 stories, try this picture book that explores the topic of remembrance over time. Best suited to KS2, the story depicts a fig tree planted in 1918 as a war memorial in Australia. Generations later a local council threatens to cut down the tree when its roots cause problems with the developments in the town. The story leaves plenty of space to discuss what remembrance means and the importance of stories and conversations in keeping memories of the past alive.
Best-selling author Tom Palmer has a track record of bringing together his passions for sport and history in popular stories with a high appeal in primary schools. His gripping story, Armistice Runner, brings into the spotlight messenger runners on the front line of World War I. As with all of Tom’s books published by Barrington Stoke, these books are ‘super-readable’ due to their accessible layout including a dyslexia-friendly font and tinted paper. This is a wonderful story to use in KS2 classrooms to explore the history of the World War 1 Armistice.
Nominated for a number of prestigious awards, this poetic new book brings the memories associated with World War I to a level suitable for younger children. Perfect for use around Remembrance Day, Where the Poppies Now Grow tells the story of best friends Ben and Ray, who swap their simple lives on countryside farms for the raging battlefields of France. This book is rare in its ability to make both the narrative and illustrations poignant and evocative without being too frightening or graphic for young children. You may also like Flo of the Somme and The Christmas Truce by the same authors.
Peace Lily is a rhyming story that celebrates the humanity and compassion that thrive even in the darkest of times. Lily is a nurse at Passchendaele, working in a hospital tent to treat those wounded in battle. This is a moving story that explores the important contribution made by women on the front line during World War One.
review
Year group(s) the book is most suitable for:
Year group(s) the book is most suitable for:
Does the book contain anything that teachers would wish to know about before recommending in class (strong language, sensitive topics etc.)?
Does the book contain anything that teachers would wish to know about before recommending in class (strong language, sensitive topics etc.)?
Would you recommend the book for use in primary schools?
yes
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