This collection of children's and YA books explore the issues around the Holocaust during World War II, and also more recent persecutions of refugees in war-torn countries around the world.

Holocaust Memorial Day takes place every year on 27th January, this year marking 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp. It is an International Day of Commemoration to remember the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust, the millions of other groups persecuted by the Nazis and the millions since who have endured genocide in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.

Picture Books that tell a powerful story

One Day is a poignant and ultimately uplifting picture book based on a true story of an escape from a convoy to Auschwitz, written by Michael Rosen, and sensitively illustrated by Benjamin Phillips. Michael was inspired to write the story after discovering that his aunt and uncle were both on the same convoy, though tragically did not escape as the hero of One Day does. Michael Rosen has written extensively about his own family links with WWII, his personal recollections of migration and the impact of displacement.  

Fiction for older readers, 9-12

The Once/Now/Then/After series by Morris Gleitzman present a completely convincing child's eye view of the Holocaust, Once, first published in 2005, was the start of a quartet of outstanding novels unafraid to tackle such a serious subject and to do it justice. The author has more recently followed the original four books with Maybe, Soon and Always which follow Felix once the war is over and he attempts to forge a new life.  The sequence is used by schools and Holocaust educators to teach upper primary and lower secondary children the truth about this terrible time in European history.

As part of his WWII series, Tom Palmer tells the true story of Jewish Polish, Czech and German children who were sent to safety in the Lake District after surviving the horrors of the Holocaust. In conjunction with the National Literacy Trust, Tom has developed a range of resources which includes a virtual event to inspire young people to create non-fiction historical writing based on the true stories of the Holocaust. You can find more on Tom's website here with links to a film recorded at locations including the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum.

More useful resources and information 

The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust - hmd.org.uk including lesson plans, ideas for assemblies and school activities.

Holocaust Memorial Day Teaching Resources with the National Literacy Trust including an online event with Tom Palmer and Holocaust survivor, Mala Tribich (suitable for 10-14 year olds).

Teaching Resources at the Holocaust Educational Trust,  which offers a free, comprehensive and flexible cross-curricular scheme of work for the teaching of the Holocaust at Key Stage 3 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and at S2 in Scotland. 

The Journey App, available at The National Holocaust Centre and Museum which creates an interactive life story of a young German Jewish boy, aimed at 9+ primary school students.

Find below, a collection of moving and powerful reads that explore the appalling truth of the Holocaust.