Yours, Anne: The Life of Anne Frank

by Lois Metzger

This renowned chronicle of two Jewish families secreted in a cramped garret in Amsterdam during the Nazi occupation is now a haunting and powerful synopsis. While remaining faithful to its deservedly acclaimed source material, with all of its suspense and humanity, this timeless story is enhanced by a most moving and lyrical score, propelled by the undying faith of a young girl on tip-toe before life.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, World War II, Biography, Holocaust, Childrens

Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Lois Metzger was born in Queens, New York City. Three of her five young-adult novels take place in Belle Heights, an invented Queens neighborhood that is boring on purpose to stand in stark contrast to the dramatic life of her characters. She has also written two nonfiction books about the Holocaust, and has edited five anthologies of original short stories. She lives near Washington Square Park in New York with her husband, son, and a tuxedo cat. Someone once told her that black-and-white cats were the best, which she thought made no sense. Now she's a believer.

Reviews

[CanadianReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read The Diary of Anne Frank when I was twelve or thirteen years old. At that time, if there were other memoirs or nonfiction works for children about the Holocaust, I wasn’t aware of them. I knew Anne’s diary was an important historical document and that its author had tragically died from typhus in Bergen-Belsen just weeks before the camp was liberated. I felt genuinely ashamed that I didn’t like the famous work; it was overly long and often tedious. Its author was self-absorbed and boy-crazy and reminded me of schoolgirls I preferred to avoid. I believed that the thoughts of Anne’s much-complained-about older sister, Margot, might have actually been more interesting to read. I have never returned to the diary—although hearing the writer Francine Prose being interviewed about its literary merit made me briefly entertain the idea of giving the book another try.

For many young readers, an actual biography of Anne Frank, like this brief one from 2004 by Lois Metzger, might provide a better introduction to the Holocaust than Anne’s famous diary. For one thing, it offers historical, geographical, and political context in accessible language, giving a better overall sense of the times and conditions than a diary can. For another, it spares the reader from “all Anne almost all the time.” The fact is: Anne really could be insufferable — harsh and egocentric. In synthesizing a number of adult works about her (which are listed at the back of the book), Metzger gives young readers a gift. She provides them with the perspectives of others. For example, she paints a sympathetic portrait of Edith Frank, who was breaking under the strain of the dire situation and evidently depressed. Metzger frequently notes the observations of Miep Gies, the devoted employee and friend of the Franks, who was critical in their managing as long as they did in the Secret Annex. Some of Anne’s girlhood friends who survived the war are also quoted. The inclusion of multiple points of view helps to provide a more balanced impression of who Anne was as a person. They work together to make an empathetic narrative nonfiction that sometimes reads like a novel.

Metzger also addresses the psychological importance of the diary to Anne. It was an outlet that allowed the young girl a place for making sense of afflictive emotions and extremely stressful circumstances. Metzger selects the more insightful of Anne’s observations and makes the case that these reflect the young diarist’s emotional maturation and growing commitment to writing as a calling. I’d have to go back to the original work to see how well founded that interpretation is.

There are now many alternatives to Anne Frank’s diary. Metzger’s is a worthy one.

[Kennedy Hedrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love anything that has to do with Anne Franks story she’s an important figure in history.

[Rosie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anything with Anne Frank has interested me every since I first read her diary back in 8th grade. This book serves as a snapshot of Anne's life most likely for a younger/middle grade audience. The book offers some more insight into what Anne's life was like before she went into hiding as well as her early childhood years. Anne's story is one that will probably always remain interesting to me and other readers as well.

[Anna Oh Wow Schooley · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites EVER!!

[Kristin Eoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book provides a touching look at Anne Frank's life and is accessible for young readers. It provides a lot of details one wouldn't know just from reading Anne's diary. There are also some good photos.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I’ll read the Diary of Anne Frank again. It’s been many years since I read it & this book peaked my interest again.

She was an amazing girl for sure. I can imagine all the things she would do if she was able to live her life to the fullest.

[Hela Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Le 13 juin 1944 , Anne avait écrit dans son journal :" le soir obscur et pluvieux , le vent , la course des nuages me fascinaient ;pour la première fois depuis un an et demi ,je revoyais la nuit en tête à tête ." Et voilà qu'un bout du ciel porte désormais son nom♥️

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lu en français. J'aime bien la contextualisation. Aussi bien que mon souvenir de lecture du journal proprement dit.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ce livre (qui se lit vite) est une courte synthèse sur la vie d'Anne.

[Emily Rittenberry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read The Diary Of Anne Frank when I was in school, but this book gave more information about her and her family. The Holocaust is one of my favorite historical events to read about, and this book have me more information that I did not know. Reading about a young girl going through a tragedy like that is so moving. She was truly a brave girl. I would recommend this book to anyone who has read The Diary of Anne Frank.

[Marilea Blair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really touching story, as is Anne Frank's life anyways! This would be a great book to use to introduce the Holocaust and WWII to students. It would also be a great book to use to introduce the life of Anne Frank to younger students that will probably later read the play or The Diary of Anne Frank later on in their education.

[J · Rating 2 out of 5]

Anne Frank is not my favorite view of Jews in hiding during WWII. However this book gives glimpses of her life before the annex and thus I found it a bit more interesting.

[Chelsea Emery · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was pretty good. I enjoyed seeing what it was like for the Jewish families during this time period. It would be a good read for children to hear a first account of the life they endured.

[Cortney Valyan · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fascinating young woman she was...

[Lauren Donelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was interesting to read especially when it was about our past. I felt bad for Anne Frank multiple times though. It's a good book and Anne Frank's story is very inspiring.

[Sfahrney · Rating 4 out of 5]

For young adults - good read - interesting. Picked it up at a Free Little Library site. Good for young adult.