Doran's Holocaust post got me to thinking...

[Unicorn]

We just got the "Diary of Anne Frank" from the library for dd (9). Should we let her read it, or wait until she is a little older and can fully understand what is going on?

At what age did you, or your dc read it, or what age will your dc be before you allow them to read it?

I'm just wondering if ... well, I'm not quite sure at the moment.

[WTMindy]

but not because of the Holocaust part, but because of the mild references to sex and her attitude towards her mother. I was actually quite shocked reading this again as an adult at her attitude. These things aren't horrible or anything, but I decided to wait a while longer for my 10yodd.

[Doran]

But, my gut reaction is that I'd likely wait also. Of course, it depends a lot on your child's maturity. Our oldest would have been ready earlier than our youngest -- maybe as early as 10. But as it happens neither has read this particular book yet, so I'm not much help.

Doran

[Robin Hood]

I was thinking about the same thing for my 2 9yo until I read a portion...I now think it is better to wait.

[Unicorn]

Thanks for the replies. I think I will go and read it again, and tell her to wait.

[elizam]

I really liked the book, but I was probably 13 or 14 when I read it. I tried reading it aloud with my then 12yodd, but she found the style of writing very tedious and didn't care for all of the "cute" talk about liking boys, etc. We wound up quitting it.

My ds had to rad it in PS 8th grade in play format, and he thought it was awful. In those circumstances...it probably was.

But...it's a great book for the mature girl who is ready for it. I wouldn't guess 9 would be old enough. JMHO!

[Eliana]

My eldest daughter (14.5) has still not read it. ...but then our kids have direct personal contact with survivors in our community, so I'm not sure they need to read it as much as someone might for whom it isn't already so vividly, personally real.

This last Tisha B'Av, I shared a few chapters of Esther Hautzig's incredible <i>Remember Who You Are</i> (though I would not recommend the book in its entirety for a young person). Her children's book <i>The Endless Steppe</i> is a gentler introduction that Anne Frank's diary to the Holocaust. (The main character is deported to Siberia with her parents and paternal grandparents by the Soviets as capitalists shortly before the Nazis took Poland. References to the almost complete extermination of her very large extended family come near the end of the book, but are not explicit.

Eliana

[AmyinPA]

We are beginning our WWII study and I brought a bunch of juvenile lit books home on the Holocaust.

Even though these books are written for children, I can't bare them. I just don't know if I can even read them to my children (9 and 7). The entire subject just breaks my heart to the point where I feel sick to my stomach. I honestly don't know how I'm going to teach it to my kids. THese books don't even contain the most gruesome details. Still, just a basic discussion of the holocaust is too overwhelming for me.

[Carol in Cal.]

Start with "Number the Stars." This Newbery book takes place in Denmark during the occupation. It is truthful but never gory, and very uplifting and inspiring. It's based on true events, and celebrates courage and honor in a way that is rare in a children's book. I think that you will find it a more gentle introduction to this issue than the Diary. And, it's just a really well-written book as well.

By the way, the psalm mentioned about half way through the book is Ps. 147--I looked it up.

[mcconnellboys]

My nine year old and I read simpler versions of the story this year, instead of her full diary. We also just read Number the Stars, and it was more gently done, but also very beautiful. We also found a couple of books that treat WWII topics, with photos, that are more for younger children in terms of what's covered in the text.

Regena