The Diary of Anne Frank is one of the most widely read books in the world but her
time in hiding was just one part of this remarkable girl's short life.
Anne Frank is famous for the diary that she kept from 12 June 1942 until 4 August
1944.
She was born on 12 June 1929 in Frankfurt, Germany, and was the second
daughter of Otto Frank and Edith Frank-Hollander. Her sister Margot was three
years older. She enjoyed four happy years growing up in Frankfurt until the Nazi's
came to power.
Of German Jewish descent, she and her family moved to Holland in 1933, where
her father set up a business. By 1934, Edith and the two girls were living in
Amsterdam, where they both attended school. From a young age, Anne
showed an aptitude for reading and writing, while her outspoken and energetic
personality shone through.When Holland was occupied by the Nazis in 1940, their
heritage put the family under threat.
The family were subjected to the same rules as German Jews, namely Jewish
children could only attend Jewish schools, they faced curfews, were not allowed
to own a business and were forced to wear a yellow star. Otto transferred his
shares in his company to a friend and resigned as director leaving the family with
enough income to survive.
On her 13th birthday, Otto gave Anne an autograph book bound with white
and red checked cloth and closed with a small lock. She proceeded to use this
as her diary, with the first entries detailing how her family were segregated and
discriminated against. In July 1942, her sister Margot received a call up notice
from the Central Office of Jewish Emigration ordering her to report for a
relocation to a work camp. This made the family move into hiding earlier than
planned.
On 6 July 1942, Anne, her sister Margot and her parents went into hiding, along
with four other families. Their hiding place, the annexe, was in a specially
prepared space above the offices of their business.
Whilst in hiding, they were supported by a group of friends, who brought them
food as well as anything else they needed.
Anne started each diary entry 'Dear Kitty' and what followed was an incredibly
candid and eloquent account of her life in confinement. It expresses her fear,
boredom and confusion at the situation she found herself in.
As well as giving the reader an insight into of what it was like to live under such
extreme circumstances, it also shows Anne struggling with the universal problem
of growing up.
Her diary ends in 1944 when the annexe was raided by the Nazi authorities. Anne
and Margot were first sent to Auschwitz and then to Bergen-Belsen where they
died of typhoid in 1945.
She was survived only by her father Otto. Anne's diary was kept safe by the
family friend, Miep Gies, who gave it to Otto when he returned to Holland. When
Anne was still alive she had expressed interest in having her diary published as a
record of her experience. After her death, her father edited it, and it was first
published in 1947.
'The Diary of Anne Frank' is an exceptionally popular and well known piece of
writing. It has been translated into 67 languages and is especially popular with
young people.
Anne Frank Questions:
1. When & where was Anne Frank born?
2. What was her sister called?
3. What year did the Frank family leave Germany & where do
they go?
4. Why did they leave?
5. How old was Anne when she had her diary for her birthday?
6. When did the Frank family do into hiding and why?
7. What did Anne take with her?
8. Where did they hide?
9. When were they discovered?
10.
What happened to them when they were found?
11.
What happened to Anne’s mother?
12.
What happened to Anne and her sister?