Top 15 Books About Anne Frank Updated 04 /2024

"Think about all the beauty that is still there and be happy." — Anne Frank said this.

Storytelling about the Holocaust can seem very far away to a child today because of how long it has been since they were born and how different their lives have been. This is what she will read at some point: Anne's Diary of a Young Girl. Then she will see the face of a girl her age, who has the same dreams and feelings as her own.

When the facts and figures of the Holocaust are hard to believe, the life of this one girl and her family, who were hiding in a desperate attempt to stay alive, is very real. They were trying to stay alive. One of the most inspiring things about Anne Frank's life and writing is that she was never broken down by the hate that people had for her. Instead, she kept seeing the best in people. As she wrote, "It's really a wonder that I haven't given up all of my ideals, because they seem so ridiculous and impossible to achieve." Yet I keep them, because even though I still believe that people are good at heart.

In 1947, Otto Frank let the pages of his daughter's diary fall out of his hands and be published. Since then, she has been an inspiration to kids and the rest of the world. Our favorite resources for young people about Anne Frank have been put together by A Mighty Girl. This is a way to honor this amazing person. A poster and even some books are in this collection to honor the girl who was optimistic and hopeful through it all.

 

Even though your child should read about Anne Frank, it's important that he or she also knows about the Holocaust as a whole. You can read about other aspects of the Holocaust in our first Holocaust Remembrance Week blog post, Yom HaShoah: A Mighty Girl Honors Holocaust Remembrance Week, as well as in our World War II & Holocaust section for kids and teens.

The Diary of a Young Girl

Written by: Anne Frank

This remarkable diary was found in the attic where Anne Frank spent the last years of her life. It is a powerful reminder of the terrible things that happen in war and an eloquent testament to the human spirit. It was in 1942, when the Nazis were taking over Holland, and a 13th-year-old Jewish girl and her family had to flee their home in Amsterdam and hide. As long as the Gestapo didn't find them, they and another family lived in the "Secret Annex" of an old office building. In her diary, Anne Frank wrote down vivid memories of what happened to her during this time. In a way, her story is a fascinating look at human courage and weakness, as well as a powerful portrait of a young woman who had a bright future but was tragically cut short.

I Am Anne Frank

Written by: Brad Meltzer

Illustrated by: Christopher Eliopoulos

As a normal girl with a brand new diary, Anne Frank had no idea what was going on when her world was turned upside down. When the Nazis came to Holland, she and her Jewish family had to hide in a secret place in her father's old office, where there was a lot of space. After two years of fear, hunger, and danger, Anne kept writing in her diary. She didn't lose her sense of hope or her faith in the good people around her. This picture book biography of Anne is part of the best-selling Ordinary People Change the World series. Anne's courage and hope have inspired millions of people around the world.

Anne Frank and the Remembering Tree

Written by: Sandy Eisenberg Sasso

Illustrated by: Erika Steiskal

There is a story in this picture book about Anne that looks at things from a different angle. Sandy Eisenberg Sasso takes a look at Anne's life from the point of view of a tree that grows outside Otto Frank's business office. During the Nazi occupation, the story talks about soldiers and Anne's removal from the annex. The tree, which is still there today, is a reminder of Anne's legacy of hope, though.

Anne Frank (Little People, Big Dreams)

Written by: Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

Illustrated by: Sveta Dorosheva

It was a surprise to Anne Frank when she was given a diary as a gift. She didn't know that her writings would inspire people for generations to come. As part of the Little People, Big Dreams series, kids will learn about Anne's life in hiding and her writing about peace and the goodness of people. Detailed historical information and beautiful illustrations will make young readers fall in love with the book, just like Anne's writings made the world fall in love with her stories.

The Tree In The Courtyard: Looking Through Anne Frank's Window

Written by: Jeff Gottesfeld

Illustrated by: Peter McCarty

This moving picture book, illustrated by Caldecott Honor winner Peter McCarty, uses the chestnut tree outside the Secret Annex as an elegant way to talk about Anne and the Holocaust. It's a beautiful way to talk about Anne and the Holocaust. One of the things the tree allows you to see is how Anne and her family hide and get caught. Otto Frank, the only person who came back, is also seen. As a symbol of peace and remembrance, Jeff Gottesfeld also talks about how seeds and saplings from the tree have been planted all over the world as a symbol. This kind and heartfelt story about Anne Frank is a great addition to the Anne Frank resources for kids who are younger.

Behind the Bookcase: Miep Gies, Anne Frank, and the Hiding Place

Written by: Barbara Lowell

Illustrated by: Valentina Toro

People often think of Anne Frank as a hero because of the way she inspired people all over the world. But Miep Gies, the woman who helped protect the Frank family and their diary, didn't forget. Gies, who had been forced to flee her own home during World War I, became close to Anne through gossip about Hollywood and fashion trends. She even gave Anne her first pair of high heels while she was hiding. In this picture book, Anne's story is told from a different angle than other books about her. This is a powerful and moving addition to the Anne books in the library.

Miep and the Most Famous Diary: The Woman Who Rescued Anne Frank's Diary

Written by: Meeg Pincus

Illustrated by: Jordi Solano

Today Anne Frank is famous for her optimistic diary, written while she hid from the horrors of the Holocaust. We have that diary thanks to the efforts of another, often unsung woman, Miep Gies. Miep and her husband were integral in protection the Frank family as they lived in the Secret Annex, and when the Nazis arrested the fugitives, she knew that they would be back to pilfer their belongings as well. She couldn't bear the thought of Anne's precious diary being stolen or destroyed, so she hid it, hoping to return it to Anne or her family in time. Sadly, only Anne's father, Otto, survived the concentration camps, but when Miep gave him Anne's writing, it was the first step towards her words being read around the world. This powerful account celebrates everyday heroism and the power of the written word.

A Picture Book of Anne Frank

Written by: David A. Adler

Illustrated by: Karen Ritz

This unique picture book is a great way to learn more about Anne and the events that led to her becoming a person who is known all over the world. David A. Adler's book "balances candor with discretion" as it tells the story of her early years, the time she spent hiding in the Annex, and the months after her arrest and deportation. Ritz's watercolors show Anne's life and hope, even when she shows Anne and Margot at the Bergen-Belsen camp. This portrait is respectful of the subject matter, but it's also very age-appropriate for the person who took it.

---