Historical Fiction:
* The Book Thief by Markus Zusak: Set in Nazi Germany, this book tells the story of Liesel Meminger, a young girl who finds solace in stolen books during the war.
* Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein: Two young women, a British pilot and a French resistance fighter, are captured by the Nazis and must rely on each other to survive.
* The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne: A powerful and heartbreaking story about the friendship between a young German boy and a Jewish boy living in a concentration camp during World War II.
* Number the Stars by Lois Lowry: This book tells the story of a young Danish girl who helps her Jewish friend escape to Sweden during the Nazi occupation.
* The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah: This captivating novel follows two sisters in Nazi-occupied France during World War II, one a resistance fighter and the other a wife and mother trying to survive.
* The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley: A young girl with a clubfoot is sent away from London to escape the Blitz, and finds herself in a completely different world.
* The Pearl Thief by Elizabeth Wein: This book follows the story of a young boy who joins the French Resistance during World War II, and helps steal a pearl necklace to finance the fight.
Contemporary Fiction:
* The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins: Set in a dystopian future, this book follows Katniss Everdeen, a young girl who volunteers to take her sister's place in a deadly televised competition.
* The Red Rising Saga by Pierce Brown: A young man fights to overthrow the ruling elite on a colonized Mars in this science fiction thriller.
* The Last Survivors by Alexandra Bracken: A group of teenagers must fight to survive in a post-apocalyptic world, with only the memories of the past to guide them.
* The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas: A powerful and timely novel about a teenage girl who witnesses the fatal shooting of her friend by a police officer.
* The Fifth Wave by Rick Yancy: This book follows Cassie Sullivan, a teenage girl trying to survive a series of alien attacks that have decimated the human race.
Nonfiction:
* The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank: This classic memoir tells the story of a Jewish girl who hid from the Nazis in Amsterdam during World War II.
* The Boy Who Dared to Speak Up by Don Friedman: A true story about a young boy who stood up to the Nazis in Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia.
* The Greatest Generation by Tom Brokaw: A compelling account of the men and women who lived through the Great Depression and World War II.
For a broader perspective:
* War Horse by Michael Morpurgo: This story about a horse's experiences during World War I is told from the horse's perspective.
* The Book of Two Ways by Jodi Taylor: This time travel novel explores the consequences of changing the past, and features a young woman who travels to ancient Egypt and changes history.
Choosing the right book:
Think about the type of story you're interested in, the historical period, and the themes you want to explore. Look for books that feature strong characters, compelling plots, and thought-provoking themes.
It's also important to consider your reading level and your comfort level with sensitive topics. If you're not sure where to start, ask a librarian or bookseller for recommendations.