Review: The World of Anne Frank by The Anne Frank House

Title: The World of Anne Frank

Compiled by: The Anne Frank House

Year: 2003

ISBN: 0-330-39382-0 

The World of Anne Frank is a compilation by The Anne Frank House of Anne Frank's life in relation to the historical events taking place during World War 2 with regards to the persecution of the Jewish people in Europe, commonly known as the Holocaust. Anne Frank was a 13-year old Jewish girl residing in Amsterdam with her parents, Otto and Edith Frank and her 16-year old sister Margot.

Anne Frank and her family went into hiding on July 6 1942 when the Nazi authorities issued a call-up notice to Margot to be deported to Westerbork concentration camp on July 5 1942. Defying their orders, Otto decided for his family to go into hiding in an old house at his office located at 263 Prinsengracht, Amsterdam; later dubbed by Anne as the Secret Annexe. 

Anne first started writing a diary shortly after receiving a red and white checkered hard cover bound diary from her parents for her thirteenth birthday on June 12 1942. She continued to fill this diary, even when in hiding, chronicling the daily happenings in the Secret Annexe as well the development of her physical and psychological well-being with uncanny accuracy. Besides this, Anne also wrote some short stories based on the stories told to her by Otto when she was younger. She also divulged the hope in seeing the war come an end as she feels that out of all bad, some good things still would come, also to her there are still many good people out there she could count on.

Apart from chronicling Anne Frank's life against the backdrop of World War 2, this book also discussed the issues of anti-Semitism and anti racial in the contemporary context, and they are still very much relevant and applicable in this day of age. I also find this book useful as a teaching tool, specifically about the Holocaust and the World War 2 in general. 

I would recommend this book to anyone who have yet to read Anne Frank's diary, as this book serves the perfect introduction to Anne Frank and the world she had lived in and as how she saw it. For those who have read the diary, it would further enhance their knowledge about the Holocaust and the horrific consequences it had brought to humanity, and that anti-Semitic and anti racial sentiments definitely have no place in this world, even at this day of age.

The World of Anne Frank is suitable for readers of secondary/high school age onwards. Adults readers would find this book very informative and also to complement Anne Frank's diary, if they have read it. I would recommend this book to readers who are interested in history, especially about World War 2. Readers would not be disappointed by this book.