Ruth Ashby - Anne Frank: Young Diarist

YOUNG DIARIST

By Ruth Ashby

Aladdin Paperbacks
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First Aladdin Paperbacks edition March 2005

If you purchased this book without a cover, you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as unsold and destroyed to the publisher, and neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this stripped book.

Dear Reader:

The Childhood of World Figures books, a companion series to our acclaimed Childhood of Famous Americans series, chronicle the early years of famous men and women from around the world in an accessible manner. Each book is faithful in spirit to the values and experiences that influenced the persons development. History is fleshed out with fictionalized details, and conversations have been added to make the stories come alive for todays reader, but every reasonable effort has been made to make the stories consistent with the events, ethics, and character of their subjects.

These books reaffirm the importance of world history and the contributions that have been made by people from across the globe. We hope you enjoy reading about the heroes and heroines who helped shape our world.

Happy Reading!

The Editors

If you purchased this book without a cover, you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as unsold and destroyed to the publisher, and neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this stripped book.

First Aladdin Paperbacks edition March 2005

Text copyright 2005 by Ruth Ashby

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Designed by Lisa Vega

The text of this book was set in Aldine721 BT.

Manufactured in the United States of America

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3

Library of Congress Control Number 2004107440

ISBN-13: 978-0-689-87468-0

ISBN-10: 0-689-87468-5

eISBN 978-1-439-11296-0

ANNE FRANK
YOUNG DIARIST

It was a cold winter day in 1934. Bare gray branches stood out against the bright blue Amsterdam sky. Over a snowy bridge skipped a little girl in a short white fur coat. Her large green eyes darted about, taking in all the new sights.

This was Anne Franks first visit to Holland, and everything seemed strange and new. Tall buildings loomed mysteriously over narrow cobblestone streets. Their steep roofs climbed up like staircases. Along the sidewalks, stalls sold steamy hot chocolate and spicy herring. On every street corner organ-grinders cranked out lively music.

Best of all were the frozen canals filled with happy skaters. As Anne watched, a group of children all linked hands and swung around in a wide circle. A girl with long blond braids and a red hat skated at the end of the line. Faster and faster she flewuntil she let go and swirled out across the ice.

Anne ran over to the side of the bridge to get a better look.

Oops! She bumped right into a red-faced boy with a pair of ice skates thrown over his shoulder.

The boy said something loudly in a strange language. Then he held out his hand to help her rise. Just then, her uncle Julius came running up.

Watch where youre going, Anneliese, her uncle warned, laughing. Thank you, he said to the boy. He caught Annes mittened hand in his own.

Obediently Anne slowed down and trotted beside her uncle. But her thoughts raced ahead. Soon she would see her father, mother, and big sister, Margot, again! Annes family had moved from Germany to Holland a few months before, but four-year-old Anne had been left behind in Aachen, Germany, to stay with her grandmother Hollnder. Anne could come when their new apartment was ready, her mother had promised her. Uncle Julius Hollnder had volunteered to take Anne to Amsterdam. Then he would return to Aachen, where he lived with his mother and brother Walter.

Anne dearly loved her sweet grandmother, who always smelled like freshly baked bread. But she had missed her family. Especially her little kitten, Moortje!

The walk seemed to take forever. They entered a big triangular plaza surrounded by brand-new apartment buildings. Abruptly Julius came to a halt in front of one of the doors. He set down the suitcase hed been carrying and pulled a card out of his overcoat pocket to read the address on it. Thirty-seven Merwedeplein, he said. This is it, Anne. Your new home.

Anne craned her neck to look up at the sandy-colored apartment building.

Go ahead, Julius said. Ring the bell.

Anne scrambled up the steps and pressed the buzzer. A minute later a pleasant-looking woman appeared at the doorway, her dark hair pulled back into a bun. Mummy! Anne cried, throwing herself into Edith Franks arms.

They climbed the three flights to the apartment. Anne chatting all the way. The train trip took forever, and then we caught a streetcar from the railroad station, and I had hot milk with anise in it

Her mother flung open the doors to the living room, and Anne went running in. It was filled with furniture she remembered from Germany. The steady tick tock of the tall dark grandfather clock made her feel right at home. Best of all, her favorite picture hung on the wall. It was a charcoal sketch of a mother cat with her two baby kittens.

Just then a small black cat scooted across the room. Moortje! Anne cried out, picking up the cat. Youve grown so much! She burrowed her nose into its soft fur. But where is Margot? she asked, looking up.

Her mother smiled. Since today is Margots eighth birthday, she explained, she and your father have gone out to buy treats for a birthday party.

Anne twirled around. A party, a party! she sang. Then she remembered something, and her face dropped. But, Mummy, I have no birthday present for Margot.

Edith Frank hugged her daughter. I have an idea, Anne, she said. Margot doesnt know youre coming back today. Its a surprise. You can be her birthday present!

I know, Anne said excitedly. Ill be a ballerina birthday present! She began to jump up and down. May I wear my tutu with the pink roses? May I?

Edith nodded at Uncle Julius, who had come upstairs with the luggage. I guess you can put Annes suitcase on her bed, she said, laughing. It looks as though I have a costume to find.

An hour later Anne was sitting on a table in the middle of the living room, all dressed up in her white ballet tutu. Brightly wrapped presents were piled high all around her. She squirmed in anticipation. When would they come?

Suddenly she heard the door open, and the sound of excited voices came from the front hall. Theres a surprise for you in the living room, she heard her mother say. An eight-year-old girl with short dark hair zipped around the corner.

Happy Birthday, Margot! Anne shouted, and held out her arms. Margot squealed and ran to hug her baby sister.

There you are. Annelein! Otto Frank, a tall man with a thin mustache, swept her off the table and into his arms. We have missed you. Where have you been? Did you walk from Germany?

Anne beamed at her father, who liked to tease her. She gave a happy sigh. She was home, and her loving family was all around her.

Later that night her father tucked her into bed. He pulled the cozy goose-down comforter up under her chin and kissed her good night. She could feel his mustache tickle her cheek.