When the World Was Ours by Liz Kessler was an outstanding middle grades historical fiction novel. This book is told from the perspectives of three friends in Vienna beginning in 1936 and follows them through the end of the war. 

I picked it up after reading a rather long WWII novel, I wasn’t really in the mood for it but ended up finishing it quickly- a testament to how powerful this story is. Max, Elsa, and Leo have the best day of their lives at nine years old at the fair. In a serendipitous turn of events, they met a lovely couple from the UK. Leo and Elsa are Jewish and this novel expertly shows the gradual way the Nazi regime targeted Jews. Leo and Elsa‘s family both try to escape but they are not all successful while Max‘s family becomes enrolled with Nazi party. From the perspective of a former teacher, I think one of the greatest strengths of this book is that it shows how slowly the Nazis turned people against the Jews and gradually took more and more away from the Jews, ending in death camps. 

I loved the interwoven perspectives of these three best friends. Ultimately the story is heartbreaking, just as you would expect. This is a powerful book about the dangers of fascism told in a way that middle grade students will truly understand and be able to relate to. I think adults can definitely enjoy this one as well. And if you are a parent or educator, I think this book handles the trauma of the Holocaust with honesty and respect and as well as in an emotionally manageable way for young readers.