Australia at War: The Colonial Wars by Susan McKernan

This book tells the story of the wars Australia was involved in whilst still a colony of Great Britain. Covered briefly are the Maori Wars, the Sudan, and the Boxer Rebellion. The major part of the book deals with the Boer War in South Africa which was the longest and most difficult of the Colonial Wars that Australia was involved in. The text is suitable for Upper Primary and Lower Secondary students and there is a handy glossary at the back of the book as well as an extensive index. It is illustrated by Johnny Altomonte.

Journey into War by Margaret Donaldosn

If you enjoyed Morris Gleitzman's Once and Then, I can just about guarantee that you will like this book too. It is May and France is about to fall to the German army. Ten year old Janey has been in France for two years, but now her father insists that she should return to England. In the care of Martin, the gardener, she is on her way to Dieppe when they are separated and she is stranded. She thinks of going to Quentin in search of her dad. So with a horse and a a dog for company she sets off only to discover her Dad has already left and the town is occupied by the Germans. Janey meets up with two Polish boys, also separated from loved-ones. Together, they wage their own war against the Germans. Janey is captured whilst sabotaging a truck and things take a turn for the worse.