Synopses & Reviews
Everyone knows about Anne Frank and her life hidden in the secret annex – but what about the boy who was also trapped there with her?
In this powerful and gripping novel, Sharon Dogar explores what this might have been like from Peter’s point of view. What was it like to be forced into hiding with Anne Frank, first to hate her and then to find yourself falling in love with her? Especially with your parents and her parents all watching almost everything you do together. To know you’re being written about in Anne’s diary, day after day? What’s it like to start questioning your religion, wondering why simply being Jewish inspires such hatred and persecution? Or to just sit and wait and watch while others die, and wish you were fighting.
As Peter and Anne become closer and closer in their confined quarters, how can they make sense of what they see happening around them?
Anne’s diary ends on August 4, 1944, but Peter’s story takes us on, beyond their betrayal and into the Nazi death camps. He details with accuracy, clarity and compassion the reality of day to day survival in Auschwitz – and ultimately the horrific fates of the Annex’s occupants.
Review
A dramatic and ambitious companion to The Diary of Anne Frank this fictionalized account of the two Jewish families in hiding is told from the point of view of Anne's companion in the secret annex 15 year old Peter van Pels. Although he bemoans that he is an artist instead of a writer like Anne Peter is articulate as he ponders the fate of the Jewish people ("We're like water swirling down the plughole soon there'll be none of us left. The bath will be empty") and questions God's existence ("I can't believe in a God that lets this happen. I won't believe in a God who say Jews are his chosen people"). His observations of the other occupants bookish Mr. Frank and his sharp tongued wife; sour Dr. Pfeffer; and Anne's quiet sister Margot reveal Peter's sense of humor as well as underlying tensions in the group. Peter's feelings for Anne moving from annoyance to intrigue and longing are passionately conveyed as the two endure crowded living conditions hunger cold and the danger of being discovered. Showing equal skill in bringing history to life and in capturing the spirit of a young man searching for his identity amid chaos Dogar (Waves) has written a novel as provocative as it is devastating. Ages 12–up. (Oct.) " Publishers Weekly Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved."
Review
"A dramatic and ambitious companion to The Diary of Anne Frank, this fictionalized account of the two Jewish families in hiding is told from the point of view of Anne's companion in the secret annex, 15-year-old Peter van Pels. Although he bemoans that he is an artist instead of a writer like Anne, Peter is articulate as he ponders the fate of the Jewish people ('We're like water swirling down the plughole--soon there'll be none of us left. The bath will be empty') and questions God's existence ('I can't believe in a God that lets this happen. I won't believe in a God who say Jews are his chosen people'). His observations of the other occupants--bookish Mr. Frank and his sharp-tongued wife; sour Dr. Pfeffer; and Anne's quiet sister, Margot--reveal Peter's sense of humor as well as underlying tensions in the group. Peter's feelings for Anne, moving from annoyance to intrigue and longing, are passionately conveyed as the two endure crowded living conditions, hunger, cold, and the danger of being discovered. Showing equal skill in bringing history to life and in capturing the spirit of a young man searching for his identity amid chaos, Dogar (Waves) has written a novel as provocative as it is devastating. Ages 12 up. (Oct.)" Publishers Weekly (Copyright PWyxz LLC)
Review
"While Annexed does not depend upon a prior reading of The Diary of a Young Girl for interest or understanding, readers of that book will appreciate the opportunity to see Anne Frank's story given a benefit it could not have: hindsight."--The Horn Book, starred review
Review
"While Annexed does not depend upon a prior reading of
The Diary of a Young Girl for interest or understanding, readers of that book will appreciate the opportunity to see Anne Frank's story given a benefit it could not have: hindsight."—
The Horn Book, starred review "Readers are enlightened and deeply moved....Annexed is a superb addition to the Holocaust literature, and should not be missed."—School Library Journal, starred review
"Showing equal skill in bringing history to life and in capturing the spirit of a young man searching for his identity amid chaos, Dogar has written a novel as provocative as it is devastating."—Publishers Weekly, starred review
"The lines between written record, educated guess, and fictional construct are fascinatingly blurred here. . .made all the more so when readers consider the role perspective, translation, and editing play in the written record. The book’s skillful synthesis of all these facets should stimulate discussion about the nature of history, fiction, and truth."—The Bulletin, starred review
"[Annexed] is compassionate and thoughtful, told in a very intimate way. Dogar gets the claustrophobia of the annexe across brilliantly, as it escapes in pointless bickering and petty resentments, but the picture of vital, interesting people with hopes, dreams, loves and ambitions rises equally vividly from the pages. Peter himself is wonderfully drawn: painfully shy, introspective and independent of thought."—The Book Bag (UK)
Synopsis
Everyone knows about Anne Frank and her life hidden in the secret annex--but what about the boy who was also trapped there with her? In this powerful and gripping novel, Dogar explores what this might have been like from Peter's point of view.
About the Author
Sharon Dogar is a childrens psychotherapist who lives in Oxford, England with her family. She discovered Anne Franks diary as a child and the again recently when her daughter started reading it. While writing and researching this book, she spent many hours soaking up the atmosphere of the Annex.