I have no words. This book gutted me. But, I must review it and highly recommend it as it is an amazing historical novel.
I read The Diary of Anne Frank sometime in junior high which is the target audience for this novel. It is a powerful, thought-provoking, and intense read about the time before Anne started her diary in 1942 while in hiding with her family. Reading this historical novel and Anne's diary will help our young people stop events like the Holocaust from happening again.
The premise of this book is purely fiction; although, Alice Hoffman has done extensive research into the Frank family to write this beautiful book.
I hope this amazing novel helps us learn from history, but I am terrified that we haven't learned enough. Anne's motto at the end of the book, "remember me" is so moving and our marching orders for today and the future.
NOTE: This is a historical novel written for middle schoolers. It is not the same as Alice Hoffman's other historical novels. The writing is for a middle-school audience, but is still written amazingly well. Please do not read or denigrate this book because of its target audience.
Writing: 5.0 stars
Alice Hoffman is my absolute favorite author. Her writing style is just so lovely and thought-provoking. The specific details of the horrors by the Germans in the Netherlands, against most specifically the Jews, are appropriate for the targeted age group. This novel was not watered-down for the age group as it was real, raw, and terrifying. I hope Alice's beautiful writing creates intense discussions about what happened in Europe during WWII and how to avoid it from happening again.
Character development: 5.0 stars
The main character is Anne Frank, period.
The secondary characters are Anne's family, Otto Frank (father), Edith Frank (mother), Margot Frank (older sister), and Oma (grandmother).
The tertiary characters are the people living in Amsterdam, the Frank family helpers, the German army, and the Dutch police.
Storyline: 5.0 stars
The storyline broke my heart. The Franks left Germany around Kristallnacht and emigrated to the Netherlands feeling that they would be safe there. They were wrong. Once they realized what was happening there, it was too late to emigrate to England, Switzerland, or the US. They were horribly struck with no real options or no way out other than to go into hiding when Margot was called up for one of the "labor camps".
The main location was Amsterdam and the environs.
Memorable/Informative: 5.0 stars
Since the Netherlands was considered the most welcoming and progressive country in Europe, it was a natural place for the Jews to flee. However, it was heartbreaking to read about how many of the non-Jewish Dutch became indoctrinated in the cult of Hitler and were cruel and hurtful to the Jewish people.
Additionally, approximately 75% of the Dutch Jewish population was murdered by Hilter. This is the largest percentage of any Western country.
Finally, there are many similarities between what is happening in our country now and what happened in Germany, but to a lesser degree. The parallels are terrifying as Trump admires Hitler. We have a recourse that the German people didn't - we can vote.
Book cover: 5.0 stars
Appropriate. Look for the symbolism on the cover!
Book title: 5.0 stars
Perfection.
HIGHEST recommendation
BOOK INFORMATION
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow (ebook)
When We Flew Away by Alice Hoffman
196 pages
Scholastic Press
Release date of 9/17/2024
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Alice Hoffman
My Goodreads review
Scholastic Press
Los Angeles Public Library
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
