Hidden Like Anne Frank: 14 True Stories of Survival by Marcel Prins & Peter Henk Steenhuis

Pages: 211
Intended Audience: Teens and mature tweens
Genre: Non-fiction / Holocaust survival stories
Notes for Parents: Some mature scenes

The Back Cover

They hid…and they survived.
Jaap Sitters was only eight years old when his mother cut the yellow stars off his clothes and sent him, alone, on a fifteen-mile walk to hide with relatives. It was a terrifying night, one he would never forget. Before the end of the war, Jaap would hide with his family and without them, in secret rooms and behind walls. He would suffer from hunger, sickness, and the looming threat of Nazi raids. But he would live.
Hidden Like Anne Frank is a collection of eye-opening first-person accounts that share what it was really like to go into hiding during World War II. The story of each child is different, but all experience the pain of losing their homes, their families, even their own names. They describe the secret network of brave people who kept them safe, and share the coincidences and close escapes that made all the difference.
The stories in this book are often heartbreaking, but they remind us of the strength, the kindness of others, and the courage that it took to survive.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

This is a translation of the original Dutch version published in 2011.

What’s good?

These are amazing true stories of Dutch Jews during the Nazi occupation of World War II. Told in their own voice, the stories profile children of different ages in varying situations. It’s interesting to see how these stories often overlap in locations and events providing an alternative perspective. Information is kept simple and situations are kept fairly matter-of-fact making this an appropriate read for even middle school readers. Footnotes explain terms and historical facts.
Best Part: The pictures at the end of the survivors today.

What isn’t good?

Most of the true horrors are only inferred, likely to make it appropriate for younger audiences, but the results are a bit lacking in emotion. The survivors’ resilience is still apparent, but the real dangers are not fully illustrated.
Worst part: Nothing.

Recommendation þþþþo

I didn’t give it five checkmarks only because the audience for this is limited to younger readers. I enjoyed it, but I felt I was being denied some of the true emotions an adult must have in relating these memories. For teens and tweens, however, this book is not only revealing, but is important and should be required reading. Definitely recommended.

Prins, Marcel & Peter Henk Steehuis. Hidden Like Anne Frank: 14 True Stories of Survival. New York: Arthur A. Levine Books, 2014.