Is my 10-year old too young to read Diary of Anne Frank?

Question

My daughter wants to read this book. I know the actual reading level will not be a problem, but what about the content? She is a mature 10 year-old who is interested in Germany and Nazis, since being in the Sound of Music play!

Answer 1

Let her read it, but make sure you're there to answer any questions she might have. The Holocaust is something that definitely should not ever be forgotten. I remember my history classes always glossed over it.. It's best for her to talk to you about it and get accurate information than to learn about it in other ways or to have it glossed over so much that the seriousness of it is lost. If she's as mature as you say she is, I'm sure she'll understand it and hopefully grow up to be a more tolerant person.

Answer 2

You're the best judge of your child's maturity level. Personally I think the most startling thing about the book is the abrupt ending, and the knowledge that it ended with her abduction by the Nazis and subsequent death. There really isn't a lot of detail re: the Holocaust, since Anne is in hiding and a child herself without a full awareness of what's going on outside. I read it when I was about your daughter's age.

Reread it yourself if you haven't already. And I'd hardly call it "sexually charged". lol

Answer 3

This is a great question. My philosophy is to follow her lead and be proud of her ability and desire to explore such things. who knows you may have a future world leader here. Anyway that said I recently listened to a tape about how to tell kids about the holocaust and the story of Ann Frank is a good precursor to the historical aspects that one can learn about later. Be sure to have answers to her questions. Be sure to have her understand that the book is really teaching tolerance, without which the repercussions can be awful.. She is heading to an age where kids often stereotype and this book is a clear testament against stereotyping. You can focus more on the lessons to be learnt than the actual horrors suffered by the people and she will benefit accordingly during this impressionable time in her life. Keep up the great and valuable questions. The ones that need to be answered and provoke good thought.

Answer 4

I read Anne Frank's Diary of a Young Girl when I was 12 and it had a pretty big affect on me, and I don't think I would have liked it any younger. But I'm not sure how mature she is.

Answer 5

It may be a little gruesome, but the world is cruel. If she is already interested in the topic, she knows that the holocaust was a horrible time, and probably knows some of what went on. Ready the Diary of Anne Frank would be great for her. It will probably make her care more about people. I think it is a GREAT idea.

Answer 6

We had to read that book in 6th grade, I think. I don't want to sound insensitive or racist but I couldn't get into that book. I saw the movie on t.v. and I couldn't even watch it. It was boring to me. I saw a man on Oprah once who was a survivor of a concentration camp and that was extremely interesting to me. I just didn't like the book. I would say let her read it if she wants to. Maybe you could read it too or just be prepared to answer any questions she may have.

Answer 7

Opinions will differ here, but mine is that you need to decide based on your child's maturity level.

If you think she can handle the harsh realities of the time period, then I think it would be a very valuable lesson for her.

Let's face it, we want to shield our children from unpleasant things. But keeping them in the dark about these events stunts their emotional and intellectual growth.

You need to ask yourself if you think your daughter will be haunted by what she reads. Will she be rattled so deeply that she will develop irrational fears about the contents?

Ten in young. Yet, in the world today, many much younger children don't just read about these atrocities, they live them. They witness them. A child wrote the diary!

I have exposed my children to some of the real world situations through documentaries and National Geographic magazine, etc. and they have far more compassion and a more global perspective than the next kid. They never complained about what they lack materially. They never got caught up in the small, tedious concerns of suburbia.

They are now 18 and 20 and were not scarred by their early education about the real world.

I say if your daughter wants to learn more, then don't hold her back. Just be ready to explain and interpret as she reads this book.

Congrats on a fine daughter!

Answer 8

I truly enjoyed this book when I was 8, then re-read at 10 and 14 years, it gave me a great insight into a young girls life and the struggles/tortures she endured, and I think made me a different person for it. I highly recommend it - and To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Both gave me -at least - a broader outlook on the world - even at that young age... and gave me a greater understanding of what others have had to endure.. (me coming form a sheltered British upbringing!)

Answer 9

I read it when I was 12 - I was a average adolescent - not too mature and neither very naive either.

I do agree it has some mature content, but you are the best judge - if you think she is mature enough, I think you should let her read it. Talk to her after she reads it - she may have some things to discuss with you or dispel some doubts.

Answer 10

No! She's at a great age to read this book and will develop an appreciation for it. I also think it's great that she wants to read it. It's something that everyone should know about and understand.