I hope I will be able to confide everything to you as I have never been able to confide in anyone, and I hope you will be a great source of comfort and support - Anne's first entry in her diary, 12 June 1942

Reading Anne Frank’s diary for the first time can be a ground-breaking moment in any reader’s life. Since it was first published, the book has inspired generations of people around the world – from school children to world leaders.

A gift

Anne received the diary on her 13^th birthday. She had picked it out herself, describing it as her favourite present that year. She wasted no time and immediately started writing in it. She enthusiastically wrote about her life until that point, and even spent time describing her honest thoughts of her school classmates!

Dear Kitty,

Anne didn’t know how much her life would change within a couple of weeks of her birthday. As Nazi persecution of Jewish people grew, Anne and her family had to go into hiding. Anne would find much comfort and support in writing her diary. She wrote the diary in the form of letters to her imaginary friend Kitty, sharing her deepest thoughts and secrets. In addition to writing about her life, she also kept detailed accounts of what was happening in the war, wrote short stories, and even started writing a novel.

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Listen to some famous faces read entries from Anne Frank's Diary of a Young Girl.

The Secret Annexe

One day, the people in hiding heard a radio broadcast that got Anne really excited. It mentioned that diaries, letters and other important documents would be collected after the war. Anne longed to be a writer or a journalist, and here she saw an opportunity. She quickly started work on rewriting parts of her diary, taking parts out and adding entirely new sections. She would write a book, and call it “The Secret Annexe”!

Anne's writing legacy

Anne’s writing came to an abrupt end in August 1944 after the people in hiding were discovered by the Nazis and arrested because they were Jewish. It is tragic that Anne never got to see her book published, or to see its success. Little did she know that movies, plays and artwork would be created out of her passion for writing. Her diary has sold over 30 million copies, and has been translated into 70 different languages. Above all, her voice continues to speak to every one of us, whoever and wherever we are, about the dangers of prejudice and hate.

Guide to the diary 

To learn more about Anne's Diary, see our Guide to Anne Frank's Diary.

Suitable for ages 12+, 9-12 year olds should check with an adult before reading. Not suitable for under 9s.