Recs if you like The Teacher of Nomad Land: A World War II Story...

Books We Love from NPR began in 2013, always boasting over 200 books (almost 400 in recent years) featuring genres from memoirs, to cookbooks, to graphic novels, to children’s literature, to nonfiction, to novels. Check out NPR’s website to filter this massive list.

The list is in reverse alphabetical order directly from NPR.

This list features book covers illustrated/designed by Pennsylvania-based artist Jim Tierney. Tierney's illustrations feature sweeping textures, dramatic lighting, and bold, nostalgic text design, as you will definitely note while scrolling through this list. Please note that in some cases, his work is one of multiple versions of cover art for the same book, so it may appear as a different version here than the one he illustrated. In some cases I have avoided adding specific versions to curb confusion.

WWII books are so popular with elementary and middle grade students. Let’s show them that it was more than white folks making history.

Suggestions welcome! I’m adding as I’m purchasing for my library so I would love help with a back list ❤️

Complete as of August 2026.

Here are many beloved and distinguished children’s novels that have won the Newbery Gold award and the silver Newbury Honor award, which were first started over a century ago in 1922. There are many choices, old and new, that have cemented their place in children’s literature for any reader to explore.

This is a list of middle grade books that have been honored or awarded with the Newbery Award among other children's literature awards, including the Pura Belpré Award, APALA Literature Award, Coretta Scott King Book Award, and Schneider Family Book Award.