School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-5-The life of Anne Frank is familiar territory for juvenile biographies, but the cooperation of the Anne Frank house and the inclusion of many photos help this one stand out from the crowd. Here, her life, her diary, and the larger political situation are introduced simply and briefly for readers who might be approaching the period for the first time. The difficult subject matter of the Holocaust is handled respectfully, both in terms of historical sensitivity and the young age of the intended audience. Quotes from the famous diary are sprinkled through a narrative telling of Anne's life. While only brief background information is given for the larger historical context, it is enough and appropriate to help youth with a minimal understanding of World War II to comprehend the dangers faced by the Frank family. The writing is simplified and at times pedantic but overall appropriate and engaging for an elementary audience. This book is a good choice for a reader who needs an introduction to the life of Anne Frank or a student writing a report, but its simplicity will disappoint a more serious, older reader who is familiar with the full Diary of a Young Girl.-Elizabeth Nicolai, Anchorage Public Library, AK (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
Authorized by the Anne Frank House, this very easy reading version of Anne Frank's famous autobiography, illustrated with well-reproduced black-and-white photos, addresses the interests and developmental awareness of youth near Anne's age when she wrote her now-famous diary. Each discussion, none more than three pages long, groups information thematically (Becoming Dutch, Fear, Arguments, Peter, etc.) and adds quotes from her diary, historical context, and sometimes a helpful visual aid. While the text is straightforward and direct, American teens may find some of the British English vocabulary confusing (e.g., a casual reference to working for the council, as in the local government district). As an auxiliary text, paired with such other authorized works as Sid Jacobson and Ernie Colon's graphic biography Anne Frank (2010), this meaningful presentation of objective and accessible history, in image as well as text, can provide students with some extra contextual support as they begin to read her original writing. A word list, with lengthy explanations, concludes the volume.--Goldsmith, Francisca Copyright 2010 Booklist
