Honoring Our Veterans: Children's Book Edition

The concept of Veterans Day began back in World War I when a cease fire, or armistice, went into effect November 11, 1918 at 11:00 AM. In 1938, an act was signed making Armistice Day an official annual holiday in the United States. After World War II and the Korean Conflict, the name was changed to Veterans Day reflect the service of all Americans who served during wartime. Mississippi is home to nearly 200,000 veterans. These men and women served in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

The following children's books all feature children and teens whose parents, friends, and neighbors serve in the United States military. In some of the young adult titles, a teen soldier not much older than the intended audience is featured. For younger children, these types of books can help them grasp the difficult concept of war, as well as bring them to a better understanding of why people they know serve their country. For older children and teens, the books tackle more complicated issues like disabling injuries, PTSD, and death.

• While You Are Away
  Eileen Spinelli and Renee Graef
  Preschool-Grade 2
  Contemporary
• How My Parents Learned to Eat
  Ina Friedman and Allen Say
  Preschool-Grade 3
  Contemporary
  
• My Red Balloon
  Eve Bunting and Kay Life
  Preschool-Grade 4
  Contemporary  
• Fish in a Tree
  Lynda Mullaly Hunt
  Grades 4-6
  Contemporary

• The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree: An Appalachian Story
  Gloria Houston and Barbara Cooney
  Kindergarten-Grade 3
  World War I
• The Poppy Lady: Moina Bell Michael and Her Tribute to Veterans
  Barbara Walsh and Layne Johnson
  Grades 2-5
  World War I
• The Harlem Hellfighters: When Pride Met Courage
  Walter Dean Myers and Bill Miles
  Grades 5-8
  World War I
• Tales of the Mighty Code Talkers: Volume I
  Arigon Starr (editor)
  Grades 7-Adult
  World War I, World War II, Korea

• All Those Secrets of the World
  Jane Yolen and Leslie Baker
  Preschool-Grade 3
  World War II
• Across the Blue Pacific: A World War II Story
  Louise Borden and Robert Parker
  Grades 2-5
  World War II
• Lily's Crossing
  Patricia Reilly Giff
  Grades 3-7
  World War II 
• Eyes of the Emperor
  Graham Salisbury
  Grades 7-12
  World War II

• Heroes
  Ken Mochizuki and Dom Lee
  Kindergarten-Grade 3
  World War II, Korea, Vietnam
• Devotion
  Adam Makos
  Grades 10-Adult
  Korea

• The Wall
  Eve Bunting and Ronald Himler
  Preschool-Grade 3
  Vietnam
• Almost Forever
  Maria Testa
  Gr. 4-7
  Vietnam 
• Fallen Angels
  Walter Dean Myers
  Grades 7-12
  Vietnam

• Operation YesSara Holmes
  Grades 4-7
  Afghanistan
  
• The Saturday Boy
  David Fleming
  Grades 5-7
  Afghanistan
• I'll Meet You There
  Heather Demetrios
  Grades 9-12
  Afghanistan

• Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine, and a Miracle
  Brian Dennis, Mary Nethery, and Kirby Larson
  Grades 2-5
  Iraq
  
• Peace, Locomotion
  Jacqueline Woodson
  Gr. 4-6
  Iraq
• Somebody, Please Tell Me Who I Am
  Harry Mazer
  Peter Lerangis
  Grades 7-12
  Iraq 
• The Impossible Knife of Memory
  Laurie Halse Anderson
  Grades 9-12
  Iraq 

Though these are difficult topics to approach with anyone, using books to tackle these issues can smooth the way to asking tough questions and help children realize that they are not alone in their situation. Books like these remind us of our history and keep us grounded in our past.

Thank you to all who served and still serve our country. We hope you find your story reflected on these pages and share them with the children in your life. Until next time, happy reading!

 https://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetdayhistory.asp