Dear Diary

Like most teenage girls, I kept a diary growing up. I remember the first diary I received as a gift. It had a soft blue cover and a lock on the side. I wrote in it every night and locked it up before stowing it away in its hiding place. Eventually I transitioned from writing in diaries to writing in journals. What's the difference, you ask? My journals were unadorned college-ruled notebooks - nothing fancy, just bound pages of lined paper, which I greedily filled on a daily basis. I still have these notebooks, and they certainly give an interesting insight into my angst-ridden teenage mind. But there is one diary that I've been meaning to read, and I'm ashamed to admit it has sat on my bookshelf, unopened for too many years. Until now.

The Diary of a Young Girl
Written by Anne Frank
Published by Bantam
Lexile Level: 1080L
Luisterboek Award (2008)

Every time I sat down to read another entry in The Diary of a Young Girl, I had to remind myself that this isn't fiction -- this is a real diary by a real girl who is describing real events. This is an incredible story with surprisingly mature writing and an engaging narrative form that details a very dark period in history. Anne Frank's writing is articulate, her thoughts well-formed for her age, but often the impatience of a teen comes through in her story, which only adds to the validity of the diary.

"Even though I'm only fourteen, I know what I want, I know who's right and who's wrong, I have my own opinions, ideas and principles, and though it may sound odd coming from a teenager, I feel I'm more of a person than a child -- I feel I'm completely independent of others."

Anne shared reflections of her own writings in notes she left for future readers (she never imagined just how many they would number), and provided the world with a personal insight into the struggles of the Jews during World War II. Despite the significance of the time and her plight, Anne's writing proves she was still a normal, teenage girl -- complete with mood swings, tantrums, a growing awareness of her body, shy questions about sex, and a longing for male companionship.

Over the two years she spent in hiding, writing in her diary, you observe her growing up into a young lady. Her writing matures along with her:

"It's twice as hard for us young people to hold on to our opinions at a time when ideals are being shattered and destroyed, when the worst side of human nature predominates, when everyone has come to doubt truth, justice and God."

After reading her story, you feel like you truly know and understand Anne. I can relate to how she felt during those awkward teenage years -- the angst she felt towards her parents, the loneliness she experienced, the desire for a good cry. The teenage years can be a roller coaster of emotions, especially for young girls. Anne was forced to grow up in front of seven other people, from whom she had no escape, no reprieve -- and for that, I commend her and am ever so thankful to have shared in her story.

More recommended titles:

Memories Of Anne Frank: Reflections Of A Girlhood Friend by Alison Leslie Gold
Ages 10 and up
Lexile 890L

Anne Frank: The Anne Frank House Authorized Graphic Biography by Sid Jacobson, Ernie Colón
Lexile GN800L

Anne Frank: Her life in words and pictures from the archives of The Anne Frank House by Menno Metselaar, Ruud van der Rol, Arnold J. Pomerans (Translator)
Ages 9 and up

Who Was Anne Frank? by Ann Abramson, Nancy Harrison (Illustrator)

Ages 8 and up

Lexile 660L

Anne Frank House
The Anne Frank Center USA

The Scoop on Poop

Poop, doo-doo, dookie, crap, feces, excrement, dung, meadow muffin, turd -- whatever you call it, everyone does it! But few people understand the impact poop has had and continues to have on society. For example, did you know poor waste management was the main cause of disease outbreaks until the late 1800s? And that it took over 400 years to refine the invention of the flushable toilet? Prepare to get down and dirty as you explore poop through the ages!


Poop Happened! A History of the World from the Bottom Up
Written by Sarah Albee, Illustrated by Robert Leighton
Published by Walker & Company, New York; Copyright 2010
For ages 8 and up

In Poop Happened! A History of the World from the Bottom Up, author Sarah Albee reminds us that whether you find poop amusing or disgusting, it's still fun to learn about. Albee traces the history of human waste management from the earliest civilizations to modern day poop disposal technology. Her witty humor is matched by Robert Leighton's silly illustrations, making this an entertaining nonfiction read for youth and adults alike. Poop Happened! is littered with random facts about "icky occupations," toilet terms, and photos from throughout history of the evolution of sanitation. Albee presents factual information with potty humor sandwiched between a neatly organized preface, table of contents, index, and list of sources. Check out the book trailer to see why everyone needs to brush up on their poop history!

The Truth About Poop
Written by Susan E. Goodman, Illustrated by Elwood H. Smith
Published by Penguin Group; Copyright 2004
For ages 7 and up

The Truth About Poop takes a broad approach to teaching kids about waste. Through quirky details and colorful illustrations, Susan Goodman and Elwood Smith explain the "ABCs of elimination," discuss the history of the toilet and the evolution of toilet paper. The Truth About Poop doesn't delve into the history of waste management like Poop Happened! but it gives younger audiences more of an overview of where poop comes from and where it ends up. This book includes a table of contents and fun facts about poop on the inside front and back pages. It was awarded Chicago Public Library's Best of the Best, Time Out New York's children's website 2005 pick of the week, and has been featured in Scholastic Book Fairs.

More recommended titles:
Flush! The Scoop on Poop Throughout the Ages by Charise Mericle Harper
Gee Whiz! It's All About Pee by Susan E. Goodman
Everyone Poops by Taro Gomi