Module 6: Annexed: a novel

Annexed: a novel by Sharon Dogar

 

Book Summary:

Peter Van Pels is a fifteen-year-old Jewish boy during World War II. He and his family are going into hiding with the Frank family (Mr. and Mrs. Frank and their daughters, Margot and Anne). He does not want to go into hiding with them. He wants to be free and to be with Liese, the girl he loves. However, Liese gets taken away and Peter is forced to go into hiding. He is completely miserable for a long time, mourning the loss of Liese and his way of life. But soon Anne brings him back to life. They spend two years in hiding, trying to enjoy every moment because it could be their last. This story gives a different perspective from what we know from Anne Frank’s famous diary about the time these two families spent in hiding.

APA Reference of Book:

Dogar, S. (2010). Annexed. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Impressions:

This book was a very interesting read. I read The Diary of a Young Girl a long time ago, so I do not remember Peter playing a big role. It was very interesting to hear the story from a teenage boy’s perspective. Peter mourns his loss of freedom and his chance at young love. I cannot even imagine the difficult circumstances they go through, and I can only imagine what it would have been like if these things happened when you were a teenager. You have not lived much and you are seeking your own freedom, trying to decide who you want to become. Then the world seems to turn against you and you have to grow up quickly. Instead of gaining freedom, it gets taken from you.  I think Sharon Dogar does an excellent job of showing the fear they experienced while in hiding: the never knowing if they will have another day together. Books like this one are hard to read because you already know the end result. You know the horrible events that have occurred in the past. But it is important to read books like this, especially kids, because we need to know that these horrible things have happened. We need to know so that we never repeat the same mistakes.

Professional Review:

“Dogar relates the well-documented events in the secret annex of Anne Frank’s diary from the point of view of Peter van Pels. The fictionalized 15-year-old is frustrated and angry to be in hiding and frequently butts heads with Anne before coming to see her with new eyes. This is a poignant look at a young man grappling with existential questions and trying to survive during this horrific time.”

Jones, T., Toth, L., Charnizon, M., Grabarek, D. and Fleishhacker, J. (Eds.).(2010, December 1). Best Books 2010 [Review of the book Annexed, by S. Dogar]. School Library Journal. Retrieved from http://www.slj.com/2010/12/reviews/best-of/best-books-2010/

Library Uses:

Since this story is connected to Ann Frank’s diary and the The Diary of a Young Girl, I think it would be great to read the both books together and compare. This could be part of a young adult book club. The movie The Diary of Anne Frank could also be viewed at the library. A book display could be created with other books about the Holocaust (non-fiction, fiction, biographies). Or a display about Anne Frank, including quotes from The Diary of a Young Girl, facts about her and pictures.

If these displays or programs would be too serious or controversial for your library, a display could also be done on writing on keeping a diary or journal. It could include tips on creative ways to write or draw in a journal.