Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl

First published in Holland in 1947

Few people have not heard of Anne Frank, the young Jewish girl who kept a diary that chronicles her experiences and emotions while hiding from the Nazis.  We know that she and those she was hiding with were eventually found and almost all, including Anne, died in the concentration camps.  Anne’s father survived, returned to the building where they had been hiding, and found Anne’s diary among the debris on the floor.

Anne is known for her positive attitude in the face of fear.  She wrote of her belief in the fundamental goodness of man and the triumph of the human spirit.  It is difficult to comprehend the strength and bravery of such a young person confronted with the atrocities of war.

How can we ever understand the impact of war on children?

This book came to mind when I read a news story of a 14 year old Pakistani girl, Malala Yousafza, who was recently shot by the Taliban because she spoke out against them.  This young girl was on their hit list.  Since the age of 11, when the Taliban shut the girls' schools in her region and began imposing harsh laws, Malala has written for the BBC, speaking out for peace.  As I’m writing this, she is fighting for her life.  

Reading about Anne Frank and what happened in the past is upsetting, but even more upsetting is the fact that these horrors are still happening and children are still living them.

I find inspiration and some comfort in Anne’s words.  If she could find the beauty in life, surely we all can.