The best 41 Holocaust books

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2006) is a best-selling historical novel. It’s the tale of the secret friendship between two nine-year-old boys, Bruno and Shmuel, who both live at Auschwitz, only on opposite sides of the fence.

The Upstairs Room is a memoir by Johanna Reiss that recounts her experiences as a Jewish girl in hiding during the Nazi occupation of Holland. Told from a child's perspective, the book offers a unique and poignant account of the hardships and fears faced by those living in secrecy during World War II. It is a powerful and moving story of resilience and survival.

Maus II is a graphic novel that continues the story of Vladek Spiegelman, a Jewish survivor of the Holocaust, as told by his son, Art. Through powerful illustrations and storytelling, the book delves into the complexities of their relationship and the lasting impact of the Holocaust on their lives. It is a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of history, memory, and the human spirit.

The Painted Bird is a haunting and powerful novel that follows a young boy's journey through war-torn Eastern Europe during World War II. As he struggles to survive and find his way home, he encounters cruelty, violence, and betrayal. This gripping and thought-provoking book explores themes of identity, resilience, and the impact of war on the human spirit.

The Cage is a memoir that tells the story of Ruth Minsky Sender's experiences during the Holocaust. It chronicles her time in the Jewish ghetto, her deportation to a series of concentration camps, and her eventual liberation. Through her powerful and heartbreaking account, Sender sheds light on the atrocities of the Holocaust and the resilience of the human spirit.

Under a Cruel Star is a memoir by Heda Margolius Kovály that recounts her experiences as a Jewish woman living in Czechoslovakia during the Nazi occupation and later under communist rule. It is a powerful and heartbreaking account of survival, resilience, and the human spirit in the face of unimaginable cruelty. Kovály's story serves as a reminder of the atrocities of war and the importance of never forgetting the past.

Hana's Suitcase is a true story that follows the journey of a suitcase found in a concentration camp in Czechoslovakia. Through meticulous research and interviews, author Karen Levine uncovers the heartbreaking tale of Hana Brady, a young Jewish girl who perished in the Holocaust. The book intertwines Hana's story with the experiences of children in present-day Japan, creating a powerful narrative about the enduring impact of history.

This powerful collection of short stories offers a firsthand account of life in Auschwitz during World War II. Tadeusz Borowski, a Polish writer and Auschwitz survivor, provides a haunting and unflinching portrayal of the horrors and moral dilemmas faced by prisoners in the concentration camp. Through his stark and evocative prose, Borowski sheds light on the human capacity for both cruelty and resilience in the face of unimaginable suffering. This book serves as a poignant reminder of the atrocities of the Holocaust and the importance of bearing witness to history.

The Hiding Place is a memoir by Corrie ten Boom, a Dutch woman who, along with her family, helped hide Jews during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. The book recounts their courageous acts of resistance and the harrowing experiences they faced in a concentration camp. It is a powerful story of faith, hope, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

This memoir recounts the author's experiences as a Jewish teenager during the Holocaust. Livia Bitton-Jackson shares her harrowing journey through concentration camps and her ultimate survival, offering a firsthand account of the atrocities committed during this dark period in history. It is a powerful and moving story of resilience and the will to live.

Prisoner B-3087 is a gripping novel based on the true story of Jack Gruener, a Jewish boy who survives the horrors of the Holocaust. Written by Alan Gratz, the book chronicles Jack's experiences as he is taken from his home in Poland to various concentration camps, including Auschwitz. Despite the unimaginable hardships he faces, Jack's determination and resilience shine through as he fights for survival and ultimately, freedom. This powerful and heartbreaking story serves as a reminder of the atrocities of the Holocaust and the strength of the human spirit.

Milkweed is a historical fiction novel that tells the story of a young boy named Misha who grows up in the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II. Misha, who is a street urchin and a thief, becomes entangled in the horrors of the Holocaust. The book explores themes of survival, identity, and the power of hope in the face of adversity. It is a poignant and thought-provoking read that sheds light on a dark chapter in history.

The Shawl is a haunting and powerful novella that tells the story of a Jewish mother and her two daughters during the Holocaust. Through beautiful prose and vivid imagery, Cynthia Ozick explores themes of survival, loss, and the enduring bond between family members. This gripping tale will stay with you long after you turn the final page.

"Erased" by Omer Bartov is a thought-provoking exploration of the mass killing of Jews in a small town in Eastern Europe during World War II. Through meticulous research and personal interviews, Bartov uncovers the tragic events that took place and examines the ways in which the memory of the victims has been erased from history. This powerful book sheds light on the importance of remembering and honoring the lives lost in the Holocaust.

Set in post-World War II Brooklyn, Sophie's Choice tells the story of a young writer who befriends a Polish immigrant named Sophie. As their friendship deepens, Sophie reveals a heartbreaking secret from her past that forces her to make an impossible decision. This powerful novel explores themes of love, guilt, and the devastating impact of war.

Aftermath is a powerful memoir by Annette Libeskind Berkovits that chronicles her family's journey through the Holocaust and their struggle to rebuild their lives in the aftermath. Through vivid storytelling, Berkovits explores themes of resilience, survival, and the enduring impact of trauma. This book offers a deeply personal account of one family's experience, while also shedding light on the broader historical and human implications of the Holocaust.

In this gripping memoir, Irene Opdyke recounts her experiences as a young Polish woman who becomes a housekeeper for a high-ranking Nazi officer during World War II. Risking her own life, she uses her position to secretly aid Jewish prisoners, ultimately saving the lives of many. "In My Hands" is a powerful testament to the strength of the human spirit and the extraordinary acts of bravery in the face of unimaginable evil.

Badenheim 1939 by Aharon Appelfeld is a haunting novel set in a fictional Austrian town on the eve of World War II. As the residents prepare for their annual music festival, they are unaware of the impending danger and the gradual imposition of anti-Semitic measures. The book offers a chilling portrayal of how normalcy can unravel in the face of impending catastrophe.

First One In, Last One Out is a gripping memoir by Marilyn Shimon that chronicles the incredible true story of her uncle, Murray Scheinberg, and his survival during the Holocaust. From his harrowing experiences in Auschwitz to his eventual liberation from Dachau, the book offers a firsthand account of resilience, hope, and the enduring power of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity.

Everything Is Illuminated is a novel by Jonathan Safran Foer that weaves together the stories of a young man on a quest to find the woman who saved his grandfather during World War II, and the history of his own family. Through a mix of humor and heartbreak, the book explores themes of memory, identity, and the power of storytelling.

Cilka's Journey by Heather Morris is a powerful historical fiction novel that tells the story of Cilka Klein, a young woman who is sent to Auschwitz and then to a Siberian prison camp during World War II. Based on a true story, the book explores Cilka's resilience and determination to survive in the face of unimaginable hardship, as well as her journey to find hope and love in the midst of darkness.

Clara's War is a powerful memoir by Clara Kramer that chronicles her experiences as a Jewish teenager during the Holocaust. Set in Nazi-occupied Poland, the book offers a firsthand account of the hardships, resilience, and ultimate survival of Clara and her family as they are forced into hiding in a cramped underground bunker. It is a poignant and inspiring tale of human endurance and the will to live in the face of unimaginable adversity.

I Will Plant You a Lilac Tree by Laura Hillman is a powerful memoir that tells the story of a young Jewish woman named Hannelore who survives the horrors of the Holocaust. While imprisoned in various concentration camps, Hannelore finds solace in her forbidden relationship with a fellow prisoner. Through unimaginable hardship and loss, the book ultimately celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring power of love.

In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson transports readers to 1930s Berlin, where a family becomes entangled in the web of Nazi Germany. Through meticulous research and captivating storytelling, Larson paints a vivid picture of the political and social climate, offering a chilling account of the rise of Hitler and the world that allowed it to happen.

Ponary Diary, 1941-1943 is a haunting firsthand account of the atrocities committed by the Nazis in the Ponary forest near Vilnius, Lithuania. Written by Kazimierz Sakowicz, a Polish journalist and witness to the mass murders, the diary reveals the brutal reality of the Holocaust. Sakowicz documents the daily killings of tens of thousands of Jews, Poles, and Russians, offering a chilling reminder of the darkest chapter in human history.

Inside the Gas Chambers is a harrowing memoir by Shlomo Venezia, a survivor of Auschwitz. In this book, Venezia provides a firsthand account of the atrocities committed during the Holocaust. He takes the reader inside the gas chambers and describes the unimaginable horrors that took place there. It is a powerful and important testimony that ensures we never forget the victims of the Holocaust.

Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay intertwines the stories of a young girl named Sarah in 1942 and a journalist named Julia in present-day Paris. Through Sarah's experience during the infamous Vel'd'Hiv roundup and Julia's research into the event, the novel reveals the dark secrets and untold truths of the past. It is a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of history, memory, and the lasting impact of war.

Escape from Sobibor by Richard Rashke is a gripping account of the mass escape from the Sobibor extermination camp during World War II. Based on interviews with survivors, Rashke provides a detailed and harrowing portrayal of the prisoners' courageous uprising and their desperate bid for freedom. This book sheds light on a lesser-known chapter of the Holocaust and honors the bravery of those who fought for their lives.

Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly is a historical fiction novel that tells the story of three women during World War II. Based on real events, it follows the lives of an American socialite, a Polish teenager, and a German doctor as their paths intersect at the Ravensbrück concentration camp. The book explores themes of resilience, friendship, and the power of human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity.

Nazi Germany and the Jews, 1939-1945 by Saul Friedlander is a comprehensive and meticulously researched account of the persecution and extermination of the Jews during the Holocaust. Drawing on a wide range of sources, including diaries, letters, and official documents, Friedlander examines the historical, political, and social factors that led to the implementation of the Final Solution. The book offers a chilling and thought-provoking analysis of this dark chapter in history.

Surviving Hitler by Andrea Warren is a gripping memoir that tells the extraordinary story of a Jewish boy named Jack Mandelbaum who survived the horrors of the Holocaust. From his early childhood in Poland to his time in Nazi concentration camps, Mandelbaum's resilience and determination to live against all odds is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. This book offers a firsthand account of one of the darkest periods in history and serves as a reminder of the strength of the human spirit.

Yellow Star by Jennifer Roy is a memoir that tells the story of Syvia, a young Jewish girl living in Poland during World War II. Syvia and her family are forced to live in the Lodz ghetto, where they face unimaginable hardships and persecution. Despite the darkness of the Holocaust, the book also highlights moments of resilience and hope as Syvia and her family fight for survival.

The True Story of Hansel and Gretel by Louise Murphy is a gripping and haunting novel that reimagines the classic fairy tale. Set during World War II, it follows two Jewish children who escape from the Nazis and find refuge in the home of an old woman rumored to be a witch. With beautiful prose and a unique twist on the original story, this book explores themes of survival, resilience, and the power of storytelling.

The Last Jew of Treblinka is a powerful and harrowing account of Chil Rajchman's experience as a Jewish prisoner in the Treblinka extermination camp during World War II. Rajchman provides a firsthand testimony of the atrocities committed in the camp, detailing the daily horrors and the struggle for survival. This book serves as an important reminder of the inhumanity of the Holocaust and the strength of the human spirit.

When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit is a semi-autobiographical novel by Judith Kerr. It tells the story of a young Jewish girl named Anna who, along with her family, flees Germany in 1933 to escape the Nazis. The book chronicles their journey through Switzerland and France as refugees, highlighting the challenges they face and the importance of family and resilience during difficult times. It is a poignant and insightful account of a child's experience during the rise of the Third Reich.

Five Chimneys by Olga Lengyel is a powerful memoir that provides a firsthand account of the author's experiences in the Auschwitz concentration camp during World War II. Lengyel details the unimaginable horrors and atrocities she witnessed, while also highlighting the resilience and strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity. This book serves as a harrowing reminder of the importance of never forgetting the atrocities of the Holocaust.

The Orphan's Tale by Pam Jenoff is a captivating novel set during World War II. It tells the story of two women, Noa and Astrid, who form an unlikely friendship in a traveling circus. As they navigate the dangers of war and their own personal struggles, they must rely on each other for survival. This book explores themes of friendship, love, and the resilience of the human spirit.

Born Survivors tells the harrowing true story of three pregnant women who fought to survive and protect their unborn children during the Holocaust. Author Wendy Holden uncovers the incredible tale of determination, courage, and resilience as these women endure unimaginable hardships in Nazi concentration camps. A testament to the power of maternal love and the strength of the human spirit, this book offers a unique perspective on the atrocities of World War II.

The Lost Wife by Alyson Richman is a captivating historical fiction novel that follows the love story of two art students in pre-World War II Prague. When they are tragically separated during the Nazi occupation, their lives take unexpected turns. Decades later, a chance encounter reignites their long-lost love and forces them to confront the painful past. Richman's beautifully written book explores the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring power of love.

The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman tells the extraordinary true story of Warsaw Zoo keepers Jan and Antonina Zabinski who saved hundreds of people and animals during World War II. Through meticulous research and captivating storytelling, Ackerman brings to life the courage and compassion of the Zabinskis as they turned their zoo into a sanctuary and risked their lives to resist the Nazi occupation.

Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum is a gripping novel that delves into the complexities of love, survival, and redemption during World War II. Set in Germany, it tells the story of a young woman who makes unimaginable sacrifices to protect her daughter, and the lasting impact of their choices on future generations. Blum skillfully weaves together past and present, unraveling a tale of secrets and the enduring power of the human spirit.