Instead of create a new upper collection everytime, why not simply use a ICollectionView. Filter? So you can hold your selected item.
Just giving you a push into a working direction : this sounds like something you could solve with BindableLinq, which will let you remain true to MVVM and flexible as you need to be.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.