WWI books for 8th grader

[Anonymous]

I usually choose a book that I loved and add it to my sons reading list when he is learning about a major historical event in school just to give some additional depth to what he is learning. He usually chooses all of his own books. We started this tradition a couple of years ago and it has been really fun. He usually loves the books, it enriches the school subject, and he is always excited for the next choice.

So, he is now learning about WWI. I am thinking about two books this go around: Warhorse and All Quiet on the Western Front. I read the latter in ninth grade and handled the violence so I think he is ok too- they are learning about war.

I have two questions:

1. Would you introduce Warhorse first or All Quiet on the Western Front, I just can't decide which order would be more impactful
2. Do you have another book choice to recommend as an alternative, that either you or your child loved?

I would love any help!!

[Anonymous]

No help on the WW1, but when he gets to Vietnam, "The Things They Carried" is on some 9th grade reading lists in my county.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I usually choose a book that I loved and add it to my sons reading list when he is learning about a major historical event in school just to give some additional depth to what he is learning. He usually chooses all of his own books. We started this tradition a couple of years ago and it has been really fun. He usually loves the books, it enriches the school subject, and he is always excited for the next choice.

So, he is now learning about WWI. I am thinking about two books this go around: Warhorse and All Quiet on the Western Front. I read the latter in ninth grade and handled the violence so I think he is ok too- they are learning about war.

I have two questions:

1. Would you introduce Warhorse first or All Quiet on the Western Front, I just can't decide which order would be more impactful
2. Do you have another book choice to recommend as an alternative, that either you or your child loved?

I would love any help!!

My dd read the book Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo. I think she was in 8th grade like your son.

[Anonymous]

The Guns of August, by Barbara W. Tuchman

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Guns of August, by Barbara W. Tuchman

If that's the reading level, then I very strongly recommend The Beauty And The Sorrow, by Peter Englund: https://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/11/books/the-beauty-and-the-sorrow-by-peter-englund-review.html

An outstanding book.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Guns of August, by Barbara W. Tuchman

If that's the reading level, then I very strongly recommend The Beauty And The Sorrow, by Peter Englund: https://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/11/books/the-beauty-and-the-sorrow-by-peter-englund-review.html

An outstanding book.

Op here, thanks so much for the input so far. He can read at any reading level at this point, and I do not censor his reading choices, so please keep them coming! I will look into these two books for sure.

[Anonymous]

As an 8th grader, my son wasn't ready for All Quiet.

The issue wasn't the reading level, but the slow pace and general remoteness of the language. He didn't like it at all.

War Horse, which my kid hasn't read, has more plot so it might be easier going.

[Anonymous]

All quite was going to be my suggestion even before reading your post, OP i read it when I was that young.

[Anonymous]

Storm of Steel by Ernst Jünger

Better than All Quiet.

[Anonymous]

Might also be interesting to read some books about what was happening around WWI, and as a result of WWI. There are probably some good books about the impact of the war on the middle east and other "colonies" of the European powers.
Or maybe something about the Russian revolution, which directly flowed out of WWI. The White Guard? Or Dr. Zhivago?

[Anonymous]

Michael Morpurgo has written several WWI based stories, not just Warhorse. You can check out:

Private Peaceful
Listen to the Moon
Poppy Field
Only Remembered

He's also written several stories about WW2 as well.

https://www.michaelmorpurgo.com

[Anonymous]

Good Soldier Švejk

Closest thing to Catch-22 that came out of WWI

[Anonymous]

Regeneration by Pat Barker (fiction made into a film at some point)

Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme (stage play) by Frank McGuinness

[Anonymous]

Might be a little young for him, but Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales WWI book is terrific. TBH I myself learned a fair amount from it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I usually choose a book that I loved and add it to my sons reading list when he is learning about a major historical event in school just to give some additional depth to what he is learning. He usually chooses all of his own books. We started this tradition a couple of years ago and it has been really fun. He usually loves the books, it enriches the school subject, and he is always excited for the next choice.

So, he is now learning about WWI. I am thinking about two books this go around: Warhorse and All Quiet on the Western Front. I read the latter in ninth grade and handled the violence so I think he is ok too- they are learning about war.

I have two questions:

1. Would you introduce Warhorse first or All Quiet on the Western Front, I just can't decide which order would be more impactful
2. Do you have another book choice to recommend as an alternative, that either you or your child loved?

I would love any help!!

This is a great idea, OP. My kids are a little younger so I would love to hear what you have recommended to your son over the past couple of years.