School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-6-- A moderately successful attempt to introduce Anne Frank to younger readers. This is factual, unlike Linda Tridenti's fictionalized Anne Frank (Silver Burdett, 1985), and with more narrative than Vanora Leigh's Anne Frank (Bookwright, 1985). Hurwitz gives a concise explanation of the political and economic background to the Holocaust and provides a map of Europe and a chronology. She ably covers the events of Anne's life before, during, and after the period covered by the Diary of Anne Frank , explaining the significance and importance of the Diary throughout the world. Her presentation is so objective, however, that it seems muted. Readers get only a glimpse of the personalities of the dwellers in the secret annex, while the tensions and strong feelings that Anne describes so vividly are glossed over. The accent is so much on the positive that Hurwitz describes Anne's time in Westerbork, a prison camp in Holland, as ``almost like a holiday'' after two years of close confinement. Still, this would be a first choice among the in-print biographies of Anne Frank for younger readers, and should lead its readers to read her Diary.--Louise L. Sherman, Anna C. Scott School, Leonia, NJ (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
Gr. 4-7. This skillfully written biography serves as a prelude to Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl. Hurwitz details the political events leading to Otto Frank's decision to move his family to Holland and the necessity of their going into hiding in 1942. During the 25 months of the family's confinement, a life of constant fear and isolation, the author conveys how Anne's rich inner resources--candor, warmth, and wit--were a sustaining influence. While the Diary ends with Anne's last entry on August 1, 1944, Hurwitz continues the account, briefly describing events at Bergen-Belsen concentration camp leading to Anne's death and the worldwide impact of her father's publication of the precious notebooks. In recalling Anne's life, Hurwitz maintains the integrity of her subject's own perceptive portrayal. Rosenberry's pencil sketches, revealing the strain of the Franks' ordeal, are interspersed with the text. A list of important dates from 1914-1947 is appended. A worthy introduction. --Phillis Wilson
