The Diary of a Young Girl
Grade Band Middle School
Reading Level: 3.9
Adapted Book Usage
These adapted resources are provided by the ACCESS Project at the University of
Delaware’s Center for Disability Studies for teachers to help students with significant
intellectual disabilities participate in the general curriculum. Please limit the use and
distribution of these materials accordingly. Please read and purchase each original text
(cited by author) prior to using the adapted text.
ACCESS Project
Center for Disabilities Studies
University of Delaware
461 Wyoming Road, Newark, DE 19716
Phone: 302-831-1052
Email: [email protected]
www.deaccessproject.org
June 1942
Anne Frank’s parents gave her a diary for her 13th birthday. She used it to write about her life.
Anne lived with her parents and older sister in Holland. They were Jewish. Anne wrote in her
diary during World War II.
In 1940, World War II started. The Germans took over Holland. Hitler, the leader of Germany,
created anti-Jewish laws. Germany was very poor. Hitler blamed the country’s problems on the
Jewish people. They had to wear stars so others would know that they were Jewish. Anne
wrote in her diary during World War II.
There were many things that Anne and her family could not do because they were Jewish. They
could not work, drive a car, or play sports. Anne wrote in her diary during World War II.
July 1942
Hitler formed the Nazi party. Nazi soldiers put Jewish people into concentration camps. In
these camps, people were forced to work all day with little food and water. It was impossible to
run away. If someone could not work, he or she was killed. Many people died. Anne’s family hid
from the Nazis.
Anne’s family was afraid of being forced into a concentration camp so they hid from the
soldiers. They lived on the third floor of Mr. Frank’s office. Another Jewish family hid there too.
Anne’s family hid from the Nazis.
During the day, everyone had to be very quiet. If someone found them, they would be sent to a
concentration camp. Anne was scared of the Nazis killing her family. Many of the Frank’s
Jewish friends were sent to concentration camps. Their friends who were not Jewish had to
fight in the war. Anne’s family hid from the Nazis.
August & September 1942
The two families could not leave their hiding place. They stayed inside all day. It was very hard
for them to share a small space. The Frank’s friends brought them spare food. The families had
to share the food. Anne and her family could not leave the office.
There was not a lot do while hiding inside all day. Even though she could not go to school, Anne
wanted to learn. She read lots of books. Anne and her family could not leave the office.
Winter 1942
After a few months in hiding, another man named Mr. Dussel hid with the families. Anne had to
share a room with him. Even though Anne lived with other people, she felt lonely. She missed
talking to her friends. Living in hiding was hard for Anne.
Anne did not like sharing a room with Mr. Dussel. He woke up very early and he yelled at Anne
when she made noise. Anne cried every night because she hated her life in hiding. Living in
hiding was hard for Anne.
February & March 1943
Many countries around the world were at war. There was suffering everywhere. The families
had to wait for the war to end. Every night Anne could hear planes and gun shots. She was
afraid of getting hurt. The fighting was getting worse. Many countries were trying to stop the
Nazis. The war was getting worse.
The families were running out of food. They ate beans for every meal. Everyone was getting
very thin. On the radio, the families heard that all Jewish people in Holland had to go to
concentration camps. If Anne and her family were found, they would be sent to a concentration
camp. Living in a hiding place was scary, but Anne knew that her life was better than the Jews in
concentration camps. She was safe. The war was getting worse.
Summer 1943
One day, a city near the Franks was bombed and many people died. Anne was nervous that a
bomb would be dropped close to them. Although they were not bombed, the building next
door was robbed many times. Anne was afraid that the burglars would break in and find them.
Anne and her family were afraid of getting hurt.
The families had been in hiding for over a year now. There were more planes flying and bombs
falling. The families were scared. No one knew who would win the war. Anne and her family
were afraid of getting hurt.
Anne still shared a room with Mr. Dussel. During the day, the families spent a lot of time
listening to the radio. They heard news about the war. Anne also read books and practiced
writing. Anne and her family were afraid of getting hurt.
September, October, & November 1943
One day, a man wanted to know what was on the third floor of the office. The Frank’s friends
kept the man away, but the families had to be more careful so that he would not find them.
Anne missed her life before hiding in the office.
The families were fighting all the time about sharing food. Anne lost her appetite because she
was scared and upset. She started to look sick. Later, Anne got the flu. She was afraid of losing
her family. She wished that she could go outside and laugh again. Anne missed her life before
hiding in the office.
Winter 1944
Anne really wanted to talk to someone. There was a boy named Peter hiding with them. He was
shy. Anne helped him with puzzles so that he would talk to her. Many people helped Anne and
her family stay safe.
Anne hated living in hiding, but she was thankful for the friends that helped them stay there.
Anne thought they were heroes. Their friends risked their lives to bring them food and keep
them safe. Many people helped Anne and her family stay safe.
It was becoming more dangerous to be in Holland. The families were afraid of being bombed.
Anne’s hiding place was still the safest place for her family. If they left, they knew they would
be sent to a concentration camp. Many people helped Anne and her family stay safe.
Anne and Peter talked every night. They liked each other. Anne was happy to have a friend with
her. One day, Anne and Peter breathed fresh air from the open window. This was the closest
Anne could get to being outside. Many people helped Anne and her family stay safe.
April 1944
Anne had grown up a lot in the past year. She thought about the good things in her life rather
than all the bad in the world. She was happy that her family was safe and healthy. Talking to
Peter also made her happier. Anne liked writing every day. She had missed two years of school,
but she wanted to become a journalist. Anne wanted to work and write about the world. Anne
was thankful for the good things in her life.
One night, burglars tried to break into the house next door. The men in hiding scared them
away, but the neighbors heard all the noise and called the police. The police tried to get into
the rooms where Anne and her family were hiding. Finally, the police left. The families were
afraid that they would come back so they waited in silence for two days. Anne felt like a
prisoner, but she had to be brave. Anne was thankful for the good things in her life.
Summer 1944
The families kept waiting for someone to stop the Nazis. Meanwhile, the Nazis kept blaming
everyone’s problems on Jewish people. This made others hate Jewish people. The people who
helped the Jewish people were sent to prison. Anne believed that the world would be good
again.
The Nazis started to lose the war. Anne and her family hoped that the Nazis would leave
Holland soon. They wanted to be free again. Anne believed that the world would be good
again.
Anne thought that she was strong and brave. Her family saw her as a child, but she felt grown
up. Although so many people were suffering, Anne knew that the war would end soon. Anne
believed that the world would be good again.
Afterword
That was Anne’s last diary entry. After hiding for two years, she and her family were found by
the Nazi police. They were sent to a concentration camp. At the camp, Anne was separated
from her family. Her head was shaved and she worked for 12 hours a day. She slept in a
crowded room and was given very little food. During the war, six million Jewish people were
killed by the Nazis. After suffering for many months in the camp, Anne died. All of her family
died in a concentration camp except for her father. In 1945, the Nazis lost the war. Many of
them were sent to prison. Anne died, but she will always be remembered.
Mr. Frank was still alive when the Jewish people were freed from the camps. He went back to
his home in Holland. His friends gave him Anne’s diary. Mr. Frank wanted people to read about
Anne’s life. He published her diary in 1947. Anne always wanted to be remembered for her
writing. Her diary is now read by people all over the world. Her writing has helped people
understand the suffering that Jewish people experienced during World War II. Anne died, but
she will always be remembered.
Diary of Anne Frank Vocabulary Definitions
* This list is a vocabulary reference tool.
Teachers should choose existing words and/or create additional words based on
student needs.
Essential Vocabulary
Important vocabulary
Diary- a private book used to write what happens in your life
Holland-the country where Anne lived
Jewish- a person whose religion is Judaism
World War II- a war from 1939-1945 involving most of the major countries in the world
Hitler-the evil dictator of Germany from 1933-1945
Nazi- a member of Hitler’s party who shared his beliefs
Solider- a person in the military that is trained to fight in wars
Concentration Camp-a prison-like place where people are forced to stay and work
Hiding-to stay out of sight in order to stay protected
Spare-extra
Office- a place where a business is done
Lonely- to feel like you are by yourself
Missed- felt sad when someone was away
Sharing-to divide something between two or more people
Countries-nations; territories
Suffering-feeling pain for a long period of time
Fighting-to physically struggle against another person
Safe- free from danger or harm
Bombed- an explosion caused by a weapon
Nervous- feeling anxious or upset
Burglars-people who steal things
Radio- a machine that plays different music and news
Careful-being watchful, taking extra care to avoid trouble
Appetite-feeling hungry
Flu- a sickness that is similar to a cold
Losing-likely to be defeated or beat
Shy-feeling uncomfortable around people
Thankful-grateful for something or someone
Heroes- people admired for doing great things that help others
Dangerous- likely to cause injury or harm
Healthy-being in good health, not having sickness
Journalist- a person who writes for a newspaper or magazine
Prisoner- a person who is locked up
Brave- feeling or showing no fear
Blaming-to hold someone responsible for something
Free- being able to move or act how one wants
Separated-being apart from something or someone
Crowded-when a large number of people are close together
Remembered-thought of something again
Published-writing that is released and can be read by others
Anne Frank Vocabulary and Object List
* This list is a vocabulary reference tool.
Teachers should choose existing words and/or create additional words based on student needs.
Vocabulary
Diary
Holland
Jewish
World War II
Hitler
Nazi
Soldier
Concentration Camp
Hiding
Spare
Office
Lonely
Missed
Sharing
Countries
Suffering
Fighting
Safe
Bombed
Nervous
Burglars
Radio
Careful
Appetite
Flu
Shy
Thankful
Heroes
Dangerous
Healthy
Journalist
Prisoner
Brave
Separated
Crowded
Remembered
Published
Objects
Diary/Journal/Notebook with Pencil/Pen
Textured Map of Holland; Holland Flag
Textured Star of David; Yarmulke
Flags; Helicopter; Toy Soldiers
Mustache; Something Furry
Swastika
Toy Soldier
Wire; Tactile Bars; Cage
Demonstrate hiding under a blanket
Present student with more than one pencil
Paper; Tape; Pen; Briefcase
One doll apart from 2-3 other dolls
Wave goodbye
Demonstrate sharing
Globe
Bandaid; Demonstrate pinching
Boxing gloves
Helmet
Danger/Flammable Sign (tactile)
Bite nails; Tap pencil
Ski Mask
Radio
Tactile sign
Food
Thermometer
Demonstrate being quiet (Shh, Head down)
Sign for Thank-you
Super hero action figure
Caution Tape; Textured danger sign
Fruits; Vegetables; Demonstrate flexing your bicep
Newspaper; Magazine
Handcuffs
Medal
Sort Objects
Place multiple figurines into a small space (box)
Sticky Note; To Do List
Book
Anne Frank Public Domain Vocabulary
*This list is a vocabulary reference tool. Teachers should choose existing words and/or create additional words based on student needs.
Diary
Holland
Jewish
World War II
Hitler
Nazi
Soldier
Concentration Camp
Hiding
Spare
Office
Lonely
Anne Frank Public Domain Vocabulary
*This list is a vocabulary reference tool. Teachers should choose existing words and/or create additional words based on student needs.
Missed
Sharing
Countries
Suffering
Fighting
Safe
Bombed
Nervous
Burglars
Anne Frank Public Domain Vocabulary
*This list is a vocabulary reference tool. Teachers should choose existing words and/or create additional words based on student needs.
Radio
Careful
Appetite
Flu (HT Sick)
Losing
Shy
Thankful
Heroes
Dangerous (TS)
Healthy
Journalist
Prisoner
Anne Frank Public Domain Vocabulary
*This list is a vocabulary reference tool. Teachers should choose existing words and/or create additional words based on student needs.
Brave
Blaming
Free
Separated
Crowded
Remembered
Published