"Once" by Morris Gleitzman
Felix's parents sent him to live in an orphanage in the mountains in Poland for 3 years. He believes his parents are still alive and are coming back to get him, but when he sees the Nazi soldiers burning the nun's books, he senses that his parents may be in danger. Felix escapes from the orphanage in an effort to find his parents, and in doing so befriends another orphan child named Zelda, who joins Felix on his long journey through Nazi occupied Poland. The children are discovered by the Nazis hiding out with a man called Barney, who cares for Jewish children. Barney then makes the ultimate sacrifice for the children.
This is a brilliant book, sensitively written. It is suitable for children 10 years and older.

The sequel to this book is "Then". I can thoroughly recommend both these books.

Picture Book
"Trev and the Kauri Tree" by Chris Gurney
A typically kiwi version of Jack and the Beanstalk - this childrens picture book tells the story of Trev who climbs a huge kauri tree to steal the Taniwha's greenstone, which he sells on Trademe in an effort to help his cash-strapped mother.
This book will appeal to children of all ages at primary level.