Book Review #75: Annexed

Title: Annexed.
Author: Sharon Dogar.
Format: Audio Book.
Source: Library.
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Published Date: 10/4/2010
Summary:
"Everyone knows about Anne Frank and her life hidden in the secret annex - but what about the boy who was also trapped there with her?
In this powerful and gripping novel, Sharon Dogar explores what this might have been like from Peter's point of view. What was it like to be forced into hiding with Anne Frank, first to hate her and then to find yourself falling in love with her? Especially with your parents and her parents all watching almost everything you do together. To know you're being written about in Anne's diary, day after day? What's it like to start questioning your religion, wondering why simply being Jewish inspires such hatred and persecution? Or to just sit and wait and watch while others die, and wish you were fighting.

As Peter and Anne become closer and closer in their confined quarters, how can they make sense of what they see happening around them?

Anne's diary ends on August 4, 1944, but Peter's story takes us on, beyond their betrayal and into the Nazi death camps. He details with accuracy, clarity and compassion the reality of day to day survival in Auschwitz - and ultimately the horrific fates of the Annex's occupants."

Cover:

I'm still not sure about the cover yet. I've only listened to the audio book and looked at a few pictures online. So I don't think it would be fair to make a judgement on a 200x200 picture.

My Thoughts:

Last year in school we had to pick a non-fiction book, read it and write a report on it. I had no clue what I could read, until my dad suggested the Diary of Anne Frank.
I loved Anne Frank. I know it's a sad book in many ways, but it was interesting to see what people were really going through at that time. But in the back of my mind I always wondered is everything Anne Frank is saying in her diary, true? Did she really act so rude towards her mother? Did Peter have feelings for Anne?
I'm always curious to see if Peters side of the story was the same, or if Anne made it all up. when I saw Annexed in the library, I grabbed it right away, checked it out, and tossed it into the CD player on my ride home. I know Annexed isn't Peter's real story, it's all made up. But still I thought it was interesting.
I think the author, Sharon Dogar, did a great job writing Annexed and matching it not only to Anne's Diary but also real dates.
Before running off into the Annex, Peter visits his girlfriend named Lisa (who is completely made up). She represents all of the poor Jewish people sent of to concentration camps. The story starts of with Peter going to her house, wanting to say goodbye and letting her know that he is going into hiding.
When he finally gets there, he sees Lisa and her family sitting in the living room, just waiting for that loud knock on the door that signals all Jewish to evacuate the building. Not knowing what to do, Peter hides.
Finally reaching the Annexed, after seeing Lisa dragged away. Peter is haunting by memories and nightmares of his Lisa, for months to come. Peter was dreading to go to Annexed knowing he would be stuck in a tiny space with the Franks; especially Anne Frank.
The ending of the story is just like the one we all know, no big surprise! I loved Annexed and I would recommend it to anyone who liked Anne Frank's diary and just wants more(: