Best Middle School Books about the Holocaust (2026): 5 Compared

The best middle school books about the holocaust tell true stories at a young reader’s level: memoirs, novels and one clear introduction, all with stated reading ages. We compared five books by author background, print length, publication date, publisher and stated reading age, using only what each listing publishes.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Prisoner B-3087 by Gratz	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Four Perfect Pebbles by Lazan	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	The Devil's Arithmetic by Yolen	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
4	What Was the Holocaust?	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Hana's Suitcase by Levine	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Prisoner B-3087 by Gratz

Alan Gratz·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 272-page novel based on the true story of a boy who survived ten concentration camps.

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Pros

• 272 pages from Scholastic Press, 2013
• Reading age 11+ years and grade level 5 to 9 are stated
• Based on the true story of Jack Gruener, per the description

Cons

• The description involves starvation, torture and camps
• 2013 edition is older than the 2016 and 2018 picks
• Intense subject matter for the youngest middle-schoolers

2

Four Perfect Pebbles by Lazan

Lila Perl·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 160-page memoir of a family in refugee, transit and prison camps, with photos and a map.

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Pros

• 160 pages with photos, a map and a reading group guide, per the description
• ALA Notable Book, per the description
• Twentieth-anniversary edition, 2016

Cons

• The description involves camps and hardship
• Reading age 11+ may not suit younger readers
• 160 pages is shorter than the top pick

3

The Devil's Arithmetic by Yolen

Jane Yolen·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 176-page novel about a girl transported to the past, winner of the National Jewish Book Award.

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Pros

• 176 pages, winner of the National Jewish Book Award
• Reading age 11 to 13 years and grade level 5 to 6 are stated
• 30th anniversary edition with a new introduction, per the description

Cons

• 2004 edition is the oldest here
• The description involves unspeakable horrors
• Time-travel premise may not suit every reader

4

What Was the Holocaust?

Gail Herman·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 112-page illustrated introduction to the Holocaust for young readers.

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Pros

• 112 pages with eighty illustrations and sixteen pages of photographs, per the description
• Reading age 8 to 11, the youngest range here
• Published June 19, 2018 by Penguin Workshop

Cons

• 112 pages is the lowest page count here
• Introductory overview, not a personal story
• The description involves genocide and death camps

5

Hana's Suitcase by Levine

Karen Levine·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 144-page investigative nonfiction book about a suitcase that reveals a girl's story.

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Pros

• 144 pages of investigative nonfiction, per the description
• Reading age 9 to 12 years and grade level 3 to 7 are stated
• Published January 5, 2016 by Crown Books for Young Readers

Cons

• The description involves the fate of a child
• 144 pages is shorter than the top picks
• Mystery format may not suit every reader

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More picks to compare

• Survivors of the HolocaustA 96-page graphic novel of six true stories, ages 10 to 14.Check on Amazon
• Signs of Survival by HartmanA 128-page memoir of two sisters, ages 9 to 12, published 2026.Check on Amazon
• My Survival by GreeneA 144-page memoir of a girl on Schindler's list, age 8 to 12.Check on Amazon
• The Last Train by AratoA 144-page true story of two brothers, ages 9 to 12.Check on Amazon
• Remember My Story by SarnowskiA 256-page memoir about a teen and a survivor, age 10+.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 18 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for a middle school reader seeking Holocaust books, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where one is given. All five list a reading age or grade level. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best middle school books about the holocaust

Match the reading age

The stated ages run from 8 to 11 for What Was the Holocaust?, 9 to 12 for Hana’s Suitcase, 11 and up for Prisoner B-3087 and Four Perfect Pebbles, and 11 to 13 for The Devil’s Arithmetic. The right book is the one the reader can finish. For more middle-grade picks, see our best middle grade books for reluctant readers.

Memoir, novel or introduction

Four Perfect Pebbles and Hana’s Suitcase are memoirs and true stories. Prisoner B-3087 and The Devil’s Arithmetic are novels, one based on a true story. What Was the Holocaust? is an illustrated introduction that explains the history directly. Start with the introduction for a first encounter, then move to a personal story.

Check the extras

Four Perfect Pebbles includes forty archival photographs, a map, a reading group guide and an afterword, per the description. What Was the Holocaust? includes eighty illustrations and sixteen pages of photographs. Extras help a young reader through difficult material.

Before you buy

• Check the stated reading age against the reader’s age.
• These books cover difficult subject matter; preview before assigning.
• Check the format: memoir, novel or illustrated introduction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is best for the youngest readers?

What Was the Holocaust?: 112 pages, illustrated, for ages 8 to 11.

Which are memoirs?

Four Perfect Pebbles, the memoir of Marion Blumenthal Lazan, and Hana’s Suitcase, the investigative true story of Hana Brady.

Which won awards?

The Devil’s Arithmetic won the National Jewish Book Award, and Four Perfect Pebbles was an ALA Notable Book, per the descriptions.

Still deciding? Our top pickPrisoner B-3087 by Gratz

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Related lists

See every middle grade list and all kids and teens books.

More lists: middle grade books for reluctant readers.