World History Biographies: Anne Frank: The Young Writer Who Told the World Her Story (National Geographic World History Biographies)

Ann Kramer has worked as a writer and editor for more than 30 years. She is the author of several books in National Geographic Kids' World History Biographies series. Her children's books include Nelson Mandela: From Political Prisoner to President, Black Peoples of America, and Women and War. Kramer lives in Sussex, England.

Grade 4–7—These colorful, appealing biographies are attractively illustrated and pleasingly presented. The books are divided chronologically into four sections; each consists of three to four chapters and a historical segment, thus covering the lives and the times of their subjects. Dates, highlighted across the bottom of pages in a colorful band, note biographical points of reference and historical events. The writing is competent, though lacking spark or flair, and covers all the essentials. Anne Frank and Joan of Arc both contain incorrect dates and Anne Frank presumes knowledge of Judaism; Newton is the best of the three. Many other titles are available on these individuals, although an appallingly high percentage are riddled with errors. Kathleen Krull's Isaac Newton (Viking, 2006) lacks Steele's excellent visuals but is lively and entertaining. Diane Stanley's Joan of Arc (Morrow, 1998) provides a full, accurate narrative in a picture-book format. Johanna Hurwitz's Anne Frank: Life in Hiding (HarperCollins, 1993 ), Gene Brown's Anne Frank: Child of the Holocaust (Gale, 1993), and Ruud Van der Rol and Rian Verhoeven's Anne Frank: Beyond the Diary (Viking, 1993 ) are all helpful (the last is the best illustrated).—Ann W. Moore, Schenectady County Public Library, NY
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