World War II Basics: This war involved virtually every part of the world during the years 1939–1945. The conflict was mainly between the Axis powers (Germany, Italy, and Japan) and the Allied forces (France, Great Britain, the United States, the Soviet Union, and, to a lesser extent, China). Between 40-50 million people were killed, making World War II the bloodiest and largest war in history. Hitler’s racist ideology and brutal concept of power caused him to set certain goals in Europe, such as slave labor and the genocide of Jewish people.
France in World War II:
In the summer of 1940, France was forced to surrender to the German Nazis. It was split into two regions; one was occupied by German troops and the other governed by a more or less puppet regime collaborating with the Germans.
St. Malo, France
In World War II, during fighting in late August and early September 1944, the historic walled city of Saint-Malo was almost totally destroyed by fires lit by German troops as well as American bombing. About eight thousand Germans were in Saint-Malo itself when the battle began.
All the Light We Cannot See by
Marie-Laure lives in Paris near the Museum of Natural History, where her father works. When she is twelve, the Nazis occupy Paris and father and daughter flee to the walled citadel of Saint-Malo, where Marie-Laure’s reclusive great uncle lives in a tall house by the sea. With them they carry what might be the museum’s most valuable and dangerous jewel.
In a mining town in Germany, Werner Pfennig, an orphan, grows up with his younger sister, enchanted by a crude radio they find that brings them news and stories from places they have never seen or imagined. Werner becomes an expert at building and fixing these crucial new instruments and is enlisted to use his talent to track down the resistance. Deftly interweaving the lives of Marie-Laure and Werner, Doerr illuminates the ways, against all odds, people try to be good to one another.
The Book Thief by
Trying to make sense of the horrors of World War II, Death relates the story of Liesel--a young German girl whose book-stealing and story-telling talents help sustain her family and the Jewish man they are hiding, as well as their neighbors.
The Nightingale by
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah is a historical fiction novel set in France during World War II. It tells the story of two sisters, Vianne and Isabelle, and their struggles for survival and resistance against the occupation. The novel explores themes of love, loss, courage, and the impact of war on ordinary people, highlighting the strength and resilience of women during wartime.
This book would appeal to readers interested in World War II historical fiction, deeply emotional and character-driven narratives, strong female protagonists, complex family dynamics, and themes of bravery, sacrifice, and resilience.
The Tattooist of Auschwitz by
This true story reveals some of the horrors of the Holocaust. This is not light reading, but it does reveal the power of love and perseverance even through the darkest of times. I could not put this book down because I just needed to know what would happen next.
1. The novel refers to D-Day and takes place largely in the weeks after D-Day.
Watch D-Day Invasion (with headphones) List 2-3 interesting facts:
2. Watch this video of The Town of Saint Malo. List 2-3 impressions that you have
3. Google “Saint Malo during World War 2” and click “images.” List some impressions that you have: