Memorial Day books for kids are a great way to introduce the conversation about the National holiday. It offers the opportunity to discuss how men and women have served our country and how many have sacrificed their lives for our freedoms.
You can find these Memorial Day books for kids at your school library, community library, local bookstore, or purchase through the affiliate links provided for your convenience.
(This blog post contains Amazon Affiliate links. That means that if you buy a book using a link, Amazon will throw a few pennies my way at no cost to you.)
1. Twenty-One Steps: Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
This first book was written by Jeff Gottesfeld. It pays homage to the unknown soldiers and the important duty of the Tomb Guards. In Twenty-One Steps, students will learn about the history of unknown soldiers through the perspective of one of the unknown soldiers narrating the story.
2. A Day for Rememberin’: Inspired by the True Events of the First Memorial Day
Leah Henderson tells a story inspired by true events. The story is told through the perspective of a young boy named in Eli. A Day for Rememberin’ is a deeply moving story about what is regarded as the first Memorial Day on May 1, 1865.
3. The Wall
The Wall by Eve Bunting is a story of a boy and his father who travel to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The boy is looking for his grandfather’s name on the wall. The book depicts what the wall looks like from the reflection of the trees to the gifts left below family members’ names.
4. America’s White Table
America’s White Table is written by Margot Theis Raven. The book tells the of a family that sets a white table for dinner. This touching book highlights the many white tables set in many mess halls. They are set up as a symbol for and remembrance to service members fallen, missing, or held captive in the line of duty.
5. Rolling Thunder
In this book, Rolling Thunder by Kate Messner, the reader learns about a Memorial Day tradition in Washington, DC. It highlights the Rolling Thunder Ride for Freedom, a demonstration that pays tribute to the men and women of the US armed forces. More than a million veterans and their supporters gather for this event.
6. The Poppy Lady: Moina Belle Michael and her Tribute to Veterans
Moina Belle Michael was a schoolteacher and a professor in Georgia. She decided to do something as American soldiers entered WWI. Like many other women, she contributed to the war effort by knitting, rolling bandages, and collecting items to be sent to troops overseas. She also delivered books, magazines, and candy to camps near her. She worked to establish the red poppy as the symbol to honor and remember soldiers. As a result, Moina Belle Michael is best known as The Poppy Lady. Thanks to her hard work, that symbol remains this day.
I hope you have found a few Memorial Day books for kids to share with your students. Be sure to check out other book lists for kids.
