Children's Books Celebrating Armed Forces Day

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Armed Forces Day is the proper day to honor all the men and women currently serving and those who have served and sacrificed to defend our freedom.

We've selected books that celebrate this day as we remember all the men and women who have worn uniforms to serve America.

RAGS Hero Dog of WWI: A True Story

Book summary: During WWI, a stray dog named Rags befriends U.S. soldier Private James Donovan in Paris, becoming a legendary message carrier and morale booster on the battlefield. Severely wounded alongside Donovan, Rags's unwavering loyalty keeps him by his owner's side until Donovan's death in Chicago.

Adventures in Colonial America

Book collection summary: The Adventures in Colonial America series uses dramatic storytelling and pen-and-ink illustrations to bring to life pivotal moments and daily struggles from America's colonial past. It includes the following books: Jamestown: New World Adventure and Winter at Valley Forge.

Sergeant Reckless: The True Story of the Little Horse Who Became a Hero

Book summary: When a group of US Marines fighting in the Korean War found a bedraggled mare, they wondered if she could be trained as a packhorse. They had no idea that the skinny, underfed horse had one of the biggest and bravest hearts they’d ever known—and one of the biggest appetites!

Grace Banker and Her Hello Girls Answer the Call: The Heroic Story of WWI Telephone Operators

Book summary: Grace Banker, a 25-year-old switchboard trainer from New York, leads the first female combatants, known as the "Hello Girls," into WWI, handling vital battlefield communications with unmatched skill and bravery. Despite severe hardships, her exceptional service earns her the Army's Distinguished Service Medal, making her the first and only woman operator to receive this honor.

H is for Honor: A Military Family Alphabet

Book summary: Written by the son of a career officer, this book explores the branches of the Armed Services and speaks from the heart about the honor, privileges, and sacrifices of military families everywhere. 

The Winter at Valley Forge

Book summary: Through dramatic depictions of significant moments in American history, this informative series (Adventures in Colonial America) gives young readers a vivid sense of Colonial American life – its farms and villages, cities and ports, and the struggles and dreams of its inhabitants.

Twenty-One Steps: Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Book summary: The sentinel guards keep vigil at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. Their every step and turn honors and remembers America’s fallen. 

America's White Table

Book summary: Three children learn the profound significance of the White Table, a solemn tribute in mess halls to honor fallen, missing, or captive service members, as they prepare a memorial for their Uncle Jim, a Vietnam POW. Through setting the table and understanding the symbolism of each item, they grasp the deep sacrifices made by military personnel and their families.

The Eternal Soldier: The True Story of How a Dog Became a Civil War Hero

Book summary: This is the untold story of Sallie, a dog whose life as a soldier began in a basket and ended as a Civil War hero.

The Peppered Sky

Book summary: Join Haleigh and Mason in "The Peppered Sky," a miniature paperback that takes readers on a rhyming adventure through military life, featuring Airborne drop zones and mesmerizing paratrooper exercises. Written from a military child's perspective, this story celebrates the unique aspects of military family life, captivating both military and civilian readers alike.

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