When think of favorite books as a child/tween, most of them were fictional, full of fantasy, and funny. I’m guessing yours were too.
For me, though, there was one book that grabbed me that was, for the most part, none of these things. It was non-fiction. There was absolutely no fantasy. And what humor there was, was quite understated. I can still remember the very first time I read “Diary of a Young Girl” by Anne Frank. I really liked Anne, and getting to know her and her family, and the struggles 
she faced. It was, undoubtedly, the first non-fiction book I really connected with.
And I am not alone. Many, many have read and cherished this book–a book not ever meant to be read. A book that puts a face to the terror, the horror, of the Holocaust. A little girl who had dreams that were never realized.
On this date in 1944, Anne Frank and her family were captured from the secret annex by the Nazi Gestapo and sent to concentration camps. Her father Otto was the only Frank to survive.
Anne Frank’s story has inspired so many in so many ways. And we, as Christian writers, can hope to inspire our readers in similar ways, whether through fiction OR non-fiction.
QUESTION: What book from your childhood (besides the Bible) had a big impact on who you are, your writing, and/or your outlook? What kind of impact did it have?
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I met a classmate of Anne Frank.
A woman who held her own diary of dreams and doings, within. I urged her to put it all to paper, and that I would help, in whatever manner she deemed the need. Her final smile said no. Before we parted, I wanted to learn more of her impressions of Anne. Unassuming, she said.
Unassuming?
How many of us have lives that outline themselves, in ways unassuming, but contain within, treasures to be told – told before can be told no more.
How many deep down Anne Frank diaries are begging to be said, if we would only – as Anne did – put it all to paper. Would they find world fame? Did that matter, to Anne? Should it matter, to us; even if we, the authors, are the only readers?
Love these thoughts, Bryan. Absolutely great stuff to ponder. Putting it down on paper – even if no one is to read it but ourselves.
My most favorite book was a child’s book with adult lessons. The Velveteen Rabbit. It took my young heart through the entire gamut of emotion: laughter, tears and wonderment.
At the time, I was “helping out” by sitting with my great grandmother, who was blind,feeble and very full of ‘living’. So, the concept of the story spoke to my heart in a mighty way.
At that time in my life, I had started to write stories. Velveteen inspired me to write things that would not just entertain, but touch the heart, amuse and even teach.
Velveteen is a childhood classic that should be mandatory reading by every adult. I keep a prettily illustrated version of it on the nightstand in my guestroom.
Annie, I also LOVED that story, though I hardly remember it and haven’t read it in a VERY long time. Might have to pull it out (or buy it again!) and share it with my kids.
I loved the story of Anne Frank. I never read the book but have watched the movie over and over again. It was heartless what they had to endure back then. I couldn’t imagine having to do this in today’s day and time. It really makes you stop and thank about the life you are living. It make you appreciate everything you own. Because they didn’t have much while in hidding. Love…Love this story! Good pick Joanne!
Me, too! “I can still remember the very first time I read “Diary of a Young Girl” by Anne Frank.” It made a big impression on my young mind! Thanks for sharing this today!
The movie was wonderful too, Christine – but you NEED to read the actual diary. And thanks for stopping by, Rita!
Wow, this question smacked me right between the eyes…. My memories of childhood books march right over to a certain library near our summer lake cottage. That’s where a big ceiling fan tried valiantly to keep us all from suffocating…a pleasant librarian lived atop what seemed a tall wooden mountain-of-a-desk, from my child’s viewpoint at least, and a long row of books beckoned me to read, read, READ. I can still see that bookcase in my mind’s eye, and the chart on the wall (summer reading club) where my stars (denoting books read) marched all the way across the poster and continued on the back side. I was the only one with stars on the back, and yet couldn’t understand why? Wasn’t reading the link to a great Someplace Else beyond the everyday, and didn’t everyone want to READ as much as possible?? The Bobbsey Twins series jumps out in my memory as a critical focus during this time – I literally devoured them (the ones that existed at that time, in the mid-50′s). They spoke of things I needed to hear: relational give-and-take, adventure, ongoing discovery.
What lovely memories, Beth! I loved to read as a kid too. My mom was a huge fan of the Bobbsey Twins. Made me smile to read this.
The Little House books. I was (and still am, LOL) convinced I’m the contemporary Laura Ingalls Wilder. I couldn’t get enough of the books or TV show. I also loved The Diary of Anne Frank. Great post!
I didn’t become a Christian until the age of twenty-three so I actually recall two books that re-enforced principles that my mother instilled in me. I recall reading The Adventures of Robin Hood and identified with Robin’s desire to right the wrongs perpetrated upon the poor of England by the greedy rulers seeking to usurp the throne while the monarch King Richard was imprisoned in France. The magnificent characters (i.e. Robin, of course, Little John, Maid Marian, Friar Tuck and Will Scarlet waged war against the likes of the Sheriff of Notingham and Prince John) would be portrayed by my playmates and me as we used the neighborhood as our Sherwood Forest and the city of Nottingham. I re-read the scene many times when King Richard returns to England and throws off his cloak to reveal himself to Robin and his “Merry Men” of Sherwood Forest. Later I would see this scene parallel the story of Christ’s resurrection in my own mind as I read those words of holy Writ, “As they were talking about these things, Jesus Himself stood among them, and said to them, ‘Peace to you!’ But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit” (Lk. 24:36-37 NEB).
The other book that challenged me with the need to forgive my enemies was Corrie Ten Boom’s The Hiding Place. Like Otto Frank, Corrie survived the Nazi’s concentration camp and inspired by her sister’s love of other prisoners and even her forgiveness of their captors, Corrie also learned the freedom and power of forgiveness. It taught me the same lesson as I recalled my experience of fighting in Viet Nam and observing the return home of our POWs after the war.
Both of these books have left in me an unforgettable portrait of our Savior and His imprint upon the world.
Tom Barnhart
Sacramento, CA
A few books from my childhood:
Hans Christian Anderson fairytales
The ‘Betsy’ series by Carolyn Haywood
And, of coure, Little House on the Prairie books
I get a lovely cozy feeling when I remember reading those books.
LHotP really showed me how happiness is not in things but in gratefulness and simplicity. As a mom I preferred sharing ‘Caddie Woodlawn’ with my kids. She is a spunky heroine and the lessons taught in that book are wonderful, too. We read it out loud together. Twice.
Tom – what a wonderful testimony you have through those books. I was saved in my 30′s, and don’t recall reading Robin Hood, but I did read Corrie TenBoom once I WAS saved. Very moving book.
And Eliza, I’ve never heard of Caddie Woodlawn. Sounds great. I’m reading Narnia to my kids this summer. Really enjoying it.
Childhood for my siblings and myself was bereft of joy and full of fear and sadness.
Forty years ago, when I was 11, we had been given a set of Collier’s Junior Classics in which I discovered “The Old Lady’s Bedroom” by George MacDonald. I read and re-read that story many times over the next five years. Every time I read it, I felt something I could not explain…was it hope for a future not so barren of joy? Yes, I see now that it was, indeed, hope.
I believe it was through this story that the Lord gave me a Love, respect, and heart for the elderly…and for writing. The story was such an inspiration to me that I began secretly scribbling short stories and poems from my own heart. It wasn’t long before I realized that writing was such comfort for me and this carried me through my remaining years at home and my difficult early adult life.
About four years ago, while perusing the bookshelves of a second hand store (one of my favorite things to do!), I sighted several of the old Collier’s Junior Classics books. My long forgotten memory of “The Old Lady’s Bedroom” immediately jumped to the forefront and I was animatedly searching the books for the story. It took me over an hour to go through the six books there, as I could not remember the name of the story nor the author! All I could remember was something about a sweet, old grandmother, her beloved granddaughter, and a big light.
When I finally found the story, my eyes filled with tears as I attempted to read it, so I bought the book and went home. As I read it in the privacy of my home, I wept openly. I realized how the Lord has used that story so long ago to kindle so many things in the heart of a little girl whose life then had seemed so lifeless!
Cheryl – I LOVED Collier’s Junior Classics! I still own several of them. What a neat story. Thanks!