Memorial Day might mean going camping, having a block party, or grilling out for you, but the real meaning isn't as much fun. Memorial Day is all about remembering the sacrifice and honoring the dead, specifically those who died in service to the country. Heavy stuff for children.
Luckily there is a wealth of great military history books for kids to learn from. When learning about historical topics like war there is no "just-right age." I've included grade levels as a rough guide below. I recommend reading these children's books yourself first to decide if your child is ready for the topics covered. Then when you do share one of these titles with your child, if possible read it together, and be prepared for questions and to learn a lot yourself.
Scholastic Discover More: World War II by Sean Callery (Grades 4-7)
DK Eyewitness Books: Vietnam War by DK Books (Grades 3-6)
Civil War Sub: The Mystery of the Hunley by Kate Boehm Jerome (Grades 2-5)
Pearl Harbor: Ready To Read Level 3 by Stephen Krensky (Grades 2-5)
What Was the Battle of Gettysburg? by John Mantha (Grades 3-7)
Fields of Fury: The American Civil War by James M. McPherson (Grades 4-7)
World War II for Kids: A History with 21 Activities (For Kids series) by Richard Panchyk (Grades 3-6)
DK Readers: D-Day Landings: The Story of the Allied Invasion by Richard Platt (Grades 2-4)
You Wouldn't Want to Be a Civil War Soldier by Thomas Ratliff (Grades 2-6)
The Story Of World War I Coloring Book by Gary Zaboly (Grades 3-6)
