National Geographic Readers

February 1, 2014

Gr 1-3-Filled with easy-to-read texts and lots of photos, these books are the perfect way to introduce nonfiction at an early age. The large font and simpler vocabulary make Amelia Earhart an exciting and unintimidating choice for children just starting to read on their own. The pages are colorful and eye-catching, and small "in her own words" bubbles offer a true look into the life of this historical figure. Anne Frank is for more fluent readers. The vocabulary is more challenging, which suits the subject matter since it is definitely for older children. The volume is also packed with colorful photos that give a broad picture of where and when the child was living. Sections from her diary comprise the "in her own words" bubbles. Maps, time lines, and glossaries work well with the information provided to give readers a basic but fairly full overview of the subjects.-Carol Hirsche, Provo City Library, UT

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2013
Grades 2-4 While The Diary of Anne Frank is an important part of any school curriculum, it is a demanding read for many students. For younger readers, this book provides a solid introduction to Anne's life and the forces that slowly constrained and then destroyed it. The emphasis is on Anne as a normal girl who was forced to live an abnormal life in hiding because of Nazi rule. Simple writing with comments directed to the reader and photographs generously interspersed throughout the text hold attention; a pronunciation guide and glossary aid comprehension. Sometimes the history gets a bit loststudents might be left wondering about the identity of the Axis countries, for instancebut this is a book about the life and times of one special person and the impact of the diary she kept. To further emphasize this point, reference is made to the diaries kept by other young people during the Holocaust, a possible point for further research.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)