Milkweed By Jerry Spinelli- Misha, is a boy with no family, no history, and no home. He roams the streets with his boys, stealing food in the day, sleeping during the night. However, all that changes in just one day. Misha is forced into the ghetto, he and many other Jews and Gypsies are caged in like animals. They soon run out of food, dead people sprawled across the streets. This book explains Misha's life and how he survives the horrible event we know as the holocaust.
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne- Bruno lives a wealthy lifestyle in Germany. However when his father is assigned to take command of a prison camp the family picks up and moves to the countryside. A few days later, Bruno meets another boy named Shmuel who lives behind an electric fence. Bruno will soon find out that he is not allowed to be friends with Shmuelh because he is a Jew, and that beyond the fence lays a prison camp for Jews waiting to be killed.
Monster by Walter Myers- When a robbery goes bad, and a clerk is murdered, Steve Harmon, awaits trial. At the young age of 16 Steve is already charged with murder. The story explains what goes through his head post trial, and what happens during the trial where his freedom is on the line.
Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt- Holling HoodHood is entering seventh grade, and the first day he is already confronted with a problem. His main teacher Mrs.Baker already hates him, or so he thinks. On his journey throughout the book he learns many important life lessons, and gains a different perspective on things.
Tunnels By Roderick Gordon- Will Burros life revolves around trying to find his missing father. His father was captured by the police of the underground community known as the Colony and is now being held as prisoner, and Will takes this as a challenge to go help free him.