Anne Frank and Me

Anne Frank and Me

Cherie Bennet and Jeff Gottesfield

ISBN: 0-698-11973-8

Puffin Books 2002

Author Information: Cherie Bennet and Jeff Gottesfield are husband and wife. Bennet is one of the largest playwrights for Young Adults, and Gottesfield is the dramaturge. They converted their work from play to novel. They live in both Los Angeles, and Nashville.

Plot Summary: Anne Frank and Me is a historical fiction piece. Nicole and her class are visiting the Holocaust Museum. This is interesting for Nicole as she is very intrigued by Anne Frank and a recent Holocaust survivor visiting her school. Nicole is a 10th grade student and writes a blog called, "Girl X."

Once at the museum a loud noise overcomes the crowd and Nicole thinks it is gunfire. She goes unconscious and wakes up in Paris 1942. She begins to write letters for the French Resistance, and believes her name is Nicole Julie Bernhardt. She is with her sister and she works to challenge the Nazis. Eventually she ends up walking to her death in the shower. She begs to go with her sister.

When she wakes up she learns there were no gun shots just fire crackers. She is in modern time and she wants to find out if the woman from her class was indeed someone she knew. She finds out the woman is dead. Nicole goes to her funeral. She finds the letter and by some amazing chance the woman has a picture with someone resembling Nicole and the letter as well. It is a re imaging of the past where Nicole says hello to Anne Frank and tells her that every one will treasure her diary.

Critical Analysis: In this re- imagining, Nicole dreams of rescuing people from Germany, and talking to Anne Frank, how exciting. It is a cathartic piece for those with Jewish heritage still struggling with grief and loss of loved ones.

Annotation: Nicole writes a blog, she goes to school, but she also fantasizes about meeting Anne Frank and a writing for the French Resistance in 1942. Is it all a dream, or is she seeing something real?

Genre:YA Historical Fiction

Curriculum ties: English- creative writing, History: WWII

Book talking ideas:
1.) Why do you think Nicole is so fascinated with Anne Frank?
2.)Do you think that a blog is a better means of expression than a Diary, how? What about privacy?

Reading level/ Age of Interest: 14 and up/ 9th Grade and up

Challenge Ideas: There are no challenge ideas.

Selection Reasons: I chose this book because it revisits the Holocaust in a modern way, and with dignity. Nicole is truly fascinated with the visitor in her class, and it conveys respect for the victims and also for elderly. Nicole wants to tell her story as much as she wants to hear from the accounts from Nazi Germany. She has an appreciation for life, and listening to her sister talk about her own perspectives. Young Adults from this generation will benefit from this book.

Challenge Issues: There are no challenge ideas.