How to Teach Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
Anne Frank's diary is one of the most important works of Holocaust literature. Find resources for teaching it here.
The Diary of a Young Girl is one of the most important personal documents of Holocaust literature. It's an essential piece of history that gives readers a glimpse into the hardships faced by people the Nazis forced into hiding.
Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
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Summary of Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
Key Facts
- Recommended Grade Band: 9 – 12
- Publication Date: 1952
- Length: 304 pages
- Lexile Measure: 1080L
Anne Frank's diary is a clear warning about the dangers of extremism and racism, and it can help students understand how prejudice and hate can lead to violent oppression and unthinkable brutality. It should resonate with students as a clarion call to resist hate in all its forms and protect the less powerful.
Like Elie Wiesel's Night, The Diary of a Young Girl is a personal record of the events of World War II. Because it gives students insight into the hardships faced by real people who lived during the War, it's a great text for building empathy and can add a human element to historical study. The Diary of a Young Girl is highly recommended for a cross-curricular unit with your school's History/Social Studies department.
Content Warning: The Definitive Edition of the diary contains entries that discuss sex and sexuality.
What Your Students Will Love About Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
- Anne's search for identity during the most trying time of her life
- Anne's optimism in the face of oppression
Potential Student Struggles With Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
- If they're reading the Definitive Edition, some students may have problems with Anne's thoughts on sex and sexuality
Literary Elements in Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
- Genre: Epistolary Literature
- Symbolism
- Allusion
Major Themes in Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
Secrecy — Just as Anne's family is in hiding, Anne herself uses her diary to record her most secret thoughts — she finds that she is hiding a "second Anne" from everyone who knows her
Related Works:
Identity — Anne uses her diary to explore who she is and who she is becoming
Related Works:
War — Anne's diary constantly reminds the reader of the hardships and fears that result from living in wartime — food rationing, fear of bombardment, fear that she and her family will be captured
Related Works:
Other Resources for Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
- The Diary of a Young Girl (Wikipedia)
- Biography of Anne Frank (with video) (biography.com)
- Lesson Plans and Ideas from The Guardian (including complementary texts) (theguardian.com)
- The Anne Frank Museum (annefrank.org)
Order Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl Resources from Prestwick House
| Resource | Format |
|---|---|
| Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl Paperback | Student Edition |
| Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl Teaching Unit | Reproducible Downloadable 30-Book Set |
| Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl AP Teaching Unit | Reproducible Downloadable 30-Book Set |
| Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl Activity Pack | Reproducible Downloadable 30-Book Set |
| Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl Response Journal | Reproducible Downloadable 30-Book Set |
| Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl Multiple Critical Perspectives | Reproducible Downloadable 30-Book Set |
| Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl Complete Teacher's Kit | Reproducible Downloadable 30-Book Set |
