The Role of Reality in Children's Literature
ENG 290
January 20, 2014

The Role of Reality in Children's Literature
Reality in Children’s Literature can play a vital role in educating a child, especially on topics that are sensitive in nature or that might not be taught in depth in their general education. Throughout the history of children’s literature, there has always been social commentary and political satire (Abate, 2010). Did children always understand the undertones? Probably not, simply because the books were written by adults and the underlying comments were possibly considered to be “too adult” in nature for children to understand, even if they were written with the audience of a child in mind. There is one book that comes to mind that provides an in-depth education to what life is like from the eyes of a child, being told that she’s too young to understand some events and discussions, in spite of living through them on a daily basis. That book is Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl. Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl is a partial biography of Anne Frank who had received the gift of a diary for her 13th birthday in 1942 (Frank, 1967). The pages in the diary are written in a two year period, beginning on June 14, 1942 and ending with the last entry of August 1, 1944. Anne was a Jewish girl living in Amsterdam Holland whose life, along with her family and most of her friends, was turned upside down simply for being Jewish. Yet, when one reads her diary, it is clear that we could almost be reading the diary of any 13-15 year old girl when the circumstances of war are ignored.
For the most part, Anne is a typical 13 year old girl when she starts writing in her journal. As Frank (1967) stated “It’s an odd idea for someone like me to keep a diary; not only because I have never done so before, but because it seems to me that neither I-nor for that matter anyone else-will be interested in the unbosoming’s of a thirteen-year-old schoolgirl” (p.2). She is extremely popular, has numerous friends, a wonderful extended family, and a good home. She admits that she lacks for nothing (p.3). With that quotation, who would ever imagined that a young girl of just 13 could provide an education for everyone around the world about the trials and tribulations of a life in hiding during a world war. As she was writing her thoughts and daily comings and goings in the book she called “Kitty”, she hoped that her diary would be published as a novel after the end of the war ("The Story In Brief", n.d.). Sadly, she did not know that her dream would come true, nor the impact that it would have on children as well as adults around the world.
In reading the English translation of the diary, it is easy to forget that it was written by a thirteen-year-old. Yet, because of the education that Anne and her sister had received prior to going into hiding, as well as the education received during these two years, it should be expected. There are many Allusions and Amplifications throughout the diary as well. One such amplification occurs in the entry for Thursday, July 29, 1943. Anne goes on about one of the other occupants of the Secret Annex, and provides a detailed description of how the occupant is viewed, not only by Anne, but by others.
Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl could have easily been said to be a made up story or work of fiction, simply because Anne became a casualty of the events of the War. But because the diary, along with other written works and stories of Anne’s, was found by two faithful employees in the building, there was no doubt that it was true. Anne’s father, Otto Frank, originally had the diary published as a memorial of his wife and daughters for surviving family members. Later, he agreed to have it published to fulfill the wishes of Anne. The diary has been translated into thirty-one languages, published in thirty countries and has sold millions of copies worldwide (Frank, 1967).
Children learn about world events in History class in school. For World War 2, the lessons taught typically touch on the main events that took place such as the invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany, the Battle of Britain, the D-Day Invasion, Pearl Harbor, and the drop of the atomic bombs. Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl affords readers a point of view of life during World War 2 from the eyes of someone who is affected in so many ways. Depending on the point of view of the war, people of different races, nationalities and ethnic backgrounds were affected. Nazi Germany targeted the Jewish people, and anyone who supported the Jews. In her diary, Anne shares with the reader the highs and lows from the point of view of not only her thirteen-year-old self, but also the daily activities and actions of the people whom are in hiding with her. Readers quickly are able to realize that while the lives of the residents of the secret annex were different than those who were living on the outside, there were many similarities because of the desire to maintain as much normalcy that could happen with what was going on around them.
Anne gives a vivid picture of the rapid gunfire, air assaults and bombs going on. She informs the readers what it was like to be in hiding listening to all of that without knowing if they would fall victim to those assaults. She shares with the reader the limitations that they experienced, not only do to enforced rationing, but because they were in hiding. Students probably learn about the rationing that occurred during World War 2 here in the United States but would not appreciate the full extent of it until reading the Diary. Imagine being limited to one quarter pound of butter. Imagine not being able to feel rain drops, taking a walk, or skipping rope outside (p. 123). Not only is Anne unable to do any of that, but she and everyone else must talk no louder than a whisper, and many times not speak at all. There are times when they do not move for fear of someone in the offices or outside hearing them. When ill, they cannot go to the doctor or have one visit them. They are limited to relying on a few others who are non-Jews but close friends and allies for their food and basic needs. They must make do with the clothes that they have, as this is a luxury that cannot always be afforded. History books teach children none of this.
In reading Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl, it is easy for a reader to forget that a child is indeed the author because of the words and tone used, however, it is also just as easy to remember for the same reason. There are some dates in which Anne writes nothing more than a short paragraph, other dates that could easily be considered a chapter of a novel. There are times when she skips a few days, but is quick to share what transpired during that time period. For some readers, it is an easy read. For others, because of emotions and knowing the outcome, it is difficult. This book is often on a recommended reading list in the Middle School and High School levels. Hillary Taylor shared with me that she read portions of it in a High School English class, but because of time constraints they were shown the movie for the entire story. She said that even some of the boys cried. (Personal communication, January 15, 2014). Trina Pippen shared that she remembered having the book in Middle School and that she could not put it down (Personal communication, January 18, 2014) and was saddened that the story ended abruptly. She said that it was one that if a fictional book by a favorite author, she would write and demand more.
Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl was not stated with the idea of educating others; it was simply a notebook that became a girl’s best friend during a horrific period in history. Thanks to those who found her journals and notes, as well as her father, her story has been told and she has left a lasting impression on everyone. But more importantly, she has been able to teach children what the history books cannot.

REFERENCES
Abate, M. A. (2010, December 26). A Role for Children's Literature. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2010/12/26/the-dark-side-of-young-adult-fiction/a-role-for-childrens-literature
Frank, A. (1967). Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl. New York, New York: Doubleday.
The Story in Brief. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.annefrank.org/en/Anne-Frank/Anne-Franks-history-in-brief/