‘Edith's Story: The True Story of a Young Girl's Courage and Survival During World War II’ by Edith Velmans published by Van Horton BooksRead review
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Anne Frank Day: The books to read after 'The Diary of a Young Girl'
We’ve rounded up the similar memoirs and novels based on real experiences and true stories from the Second World World
Eva Waite-Taylor
Friday 12 June 2020 04:30 EDT
Our Top Picks
'The Boy on the Wooden Box: How the Impossible Became Possible...on Schindler's List’ by Leon Leyson, published by Simon and Schuster Children's UKRead review£6
The Note Through The Wire: The unforgettable true love story of a WW2 prisoner of war and a resistance heroine’ by Ebury PublishingRead review£4
'Little Guides to Great Lives: Anne Frank' by Isabel Thomas, published by Laurence KingRead review£6
This year, Anne Frank’s birthday – June 12 – marks the 78th anniversary of the day she received a diary for her 13th birthday.
Over the course of two years, Anne documented the fears and experiences of daily life, while living in a secret annex of an old warehouse in Nazi occupied Amsterdam during the Second World War.
In the face of love, loss, death, war and personal demons, Diary of a Young Girl provides a candid account that is at once uplifting, sad, beautiful, funny and life affirming. It is a warm and stirring confession, that should be read time and time again for continued insight.
Writing powerful prose, such as: “How wonderful is it that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world,” shows how Anne’s diary is a great affirmation to life's questions today, as she shows how ordinary people within such an ordeal can consistently stand by greater human values.
The diary abruptly stopped in August 1944 when her family were betrayed and sent to Auschwitz concentration camp. Only Anne’s father, Otto, survived and he went on to publish his daughter’s diary in 1947.
Its phenomenal significance can be attributed to the vital role it plays in documenting the history and anguish of the Holocaust. And even if you are yet to read it, you will most likely have heard the name, seen one of the many cinematic adaptations, or even visited the Anne Frank museum.
In honour of Anne Frank’s birthday, we have compiled a round-up of fiction and non-fiction books that document the Second World War history in an equally as poignant and heart wrenching way.
You can trust our independent round-ups. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world and expert advice. This revenue helps us to fund journalism across The Independent.
‘Edith's Story: The True Story of a Young Girl's Courage and Survival During World War II’ by Edith Velmans published by Van Horton Books
When Hitler invaded Holland in 1939, Edith was sent to live with a protestant family, changed her name, and survived by posing as a gentile. Based on her teenage diary, wartime letters, and reflections of being an adult survivor – this memoir recounts wartime events with poignant detail. Full of love and extraordinary courage, this is a must read.
'The Boy on the Wooden Box: How the Impossible Became Possible...on Schindler's List’ by Leon Leyson, published by Simon and Schuster Children's UK
Even in the darkest of times there’s room for strength, perseverance and bravery. A remarkable memoir from Leon Leyson, one of the youngest children to survive the Holocaust and on Schindler's List. Through sheer luck, perseverance and grit, Leyson survives the sadism of the Nazis, recalling life with dignity and a remarkable lack of bitterness or venom. Suitable for a younger audience (from aged 11), it perfectly captures the innocence of a small boy who goes through the unthinkable.
‘The Choice: A true story of hope’ by Edith Eger, published by Rider
An international bestseller that took a decade to write, this is Edith Eger’s poignant account of her search for a life of meaning beyond Auschwitz. Though she obviously remains a permanent victim, scarred by the things that occurred beyond her control, she went onto become a therapist and made the choice to process what had happened in a bid to heal. Eger shares her story of the Holocaust and the remarkable stories of those she has helped since. An exceptionally powerful story of hope, this is a triumph that should be read by all who care about their own freedom and the future of humanity.
The Note Through The Wire: The unforgettable true love story of a WW2 prisoner of war and a resistance heroine’ by Ebury Publishing
An extraordinary true love story set in perilous times, The Note Through The Wire follows Josefine Lobnik, an underground resistance hero, and Bruce Murray, an imprisoned soldier, after a fleeting chance encounter. A note passed between the two strangers sets them on a course that will change their lives forever. Themes of bravery, daring escapes, betray, torture and retaliation are prevalent, as their love for each other survives against all odds.
'Little Guides to Great Lives: Anne Frank' by Isabel Thomas, published by Laurence King
Little Guides to Great Lives is a series of short books designed to introduce young children to the many inspirational figures from history in an easily accessible and engaging way. Despite its short length, this illustrated guide of the life of Anne Frank is filled with as much information as any child would need and includes a glossary and a timeline of events. A great one to come back to time and time again.