School Library Journal Review
Gr 4-6Anne's life and death have become the foremost symbol of the Holocaust. This concise biography, which focuses on the years in hiding, explains how the Franks, the Van Pels, and Dr. Pfeffer managed to survive for as long as they did with the help of Miep Gies. Archival photographs, a full-color map of Europe 1943-1944, and a diagram of the secret annex accompany the text, which is printed on sepia-tinted paper. The list for further reading includes Internet sites. While not as handsomely designed as Ruud van der Rol's Anne Frank (Viking, 1993), this title is a good introduction to the immortalized young woman and to the story of the publication of her diary. It should motivate students to read the diary and other books about World War II.Susan Pine, New York Public Library (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
This accessible biography provides historical background for better understanding of the events surrounding Anne's diary entries. Epstein focuses on Anne but puts her experiences in the context of what was happening in Europe in the 1940s. Archival photos and schematic drawings of the building that housed the secret annex supplement the readable text. The last chapter discusses how Anne's diary was found and published. Bib., ind. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
Gr. 3^-6. With sepia-toned pages that create the illusion of age and well-chosen black-and-white photos that document events and portray family members, this book presents a forthright and personal account of the plight of Anne Frank and her family. Details sifted from research; reminiscences of Miep Gies, who helped the Franks while they were in hiding; and quotes from Anne's historic diary offer a well-rounded look at the bright young girl with the optimistic personality. As readers get acquainted with Anne, Epstein's honest, yet age-appropriate account describes events in the Nazi-dominated world. The map at the book's opening pictures the three concentration camps where Anne spent her last days. Other illustrations--the view Anne enjoyed from the secret annex window, a cross-section diagram of the secret annex, and a photo of Dutch children of the time eating tulip bulbs to stave off starvation--bring the distant history close to young readers. McDonough's Anne Frank [BKL O 1 97] introduces Anne and her story to an even younger audience. --Ellen Mandel