Frank, Anne. Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl. Anchor Books, 1991.
Characters: Anne Frank, Margot Frank, Otto Frank, Edith Frank, Mr and Mrs.van Daan, Peter Schiff.
Setting: Amsterdam during World War II, 1942
Theme: Coming of age during a persecuted time.
Genre: History, firsthand account, Family and Romance.
Golden quote: “I hope I will be able to confide everything to you, as I have never been able to confide in anyone, and I hope you will be a great source of comfort and support.”
Summary: Anne Frank is a Jewish girl surviving in a time of Jewish persecution during World War II. Her family and close companions are given a chance to survive above an office of her father’s friend and business partner. The diary is an account of the struggles, triumphs and tragedies they suffer during their time in hiding. Anne writes and has insightful thoughts beyond her years and these experiences are captured in her closest confidant, her diary. In this diary, she gives a firsthand account of her feelings living with family, friends and her crush in closed proximity. It is also an account of Anne reaching puberty and becoming a woman during her time confined to the living quarters above her father’s friend’s office. The diary covers her families flight to their hideout and ends with their transportation to an internment camp.
Audience: Middle School Students and above.
Curriculum ties: World History; Civil Rights; social issues.
Personal Response: This is a powerful firsthand account of Jewish struggles to survive during World War II and the persecution of people of Jewish backgrounds. Anne Frank’s diary is a look into individual’s lives and their struggle to survive while being hunted down by the Nazi party. One of the thing that makes this diary so unique is not only the accounts of hiding from the Nazi party, but it also shows the emotions and changes that a young girl goes through as she reaches womanhood. These changes themselves can be quite difficult, but when you add in the fact that they are confide to one living area, it is a truly unique look into what Anne actually went through and experienced. It can be a very emotionally and at times very heavy and difficult read that allows you to vicariously feel her fears. It is a great source to use in a history or English class.