Annexed
Binding: Paperback
Imprint: Andersen Press
Age 12+
Romance & Relationships Stories Historical Fiction
Everyone knows about Anne Frank, and her life hidden in the secret annexe - or do they?
Peter van Pels and his family are locked away in there with the Franks, and Peter sees it all differently. He's a boy, and for a boy it's just not the same. What is it like to be forced into hiding with Anne Frank, to hate her and then find yourself falling in love with her? To know you're being written about in her diary, day after day? What's it like to sit and wait and watch whilst others die, and you wish you were fighting?
How can Anne and Peter try to make sense of one of the most devastating episodes in recent history - the holocaust?
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 the terrible conclusion.
It's a story rooted firmly in history and it asks a question of us all: Are we listening?
'Is anybody there?' Peter cries from the depths of his despair in the camps. Read it, and you will be.
Creators
Sharon Dogar lives in Oxford with her husband and three children. She loves writing, reading and daydreaming. For the last ten years she's also worked with adolescents as a psycho-therapist. Annexed is her third novel.
Reviews
Amazing… I enjoyed this book very much.
Pam_TeenBlogger
A delicate, poised and scrupulous re-enactment.
Guardian
Dogar’s decision to write the novel from Peter’s point of view is inspired. (His) story is complex and moving (and) his voice is eloquent.
John Boyne
Dogar has . . . done the memory of Anne Frank a great service
Mal Peet
Dogar has been utterly respectful . . . [Annexed is] an author trying to get her head around a time of atrocity and how it perhaps felt for one ordinary young man in extraordinary circumstances.
The Scotsman
Peter’s story is complex and moving.
Irish Times
Sharon Dogar . . . has created a fascinating and inspiring story
Julia Eccleshare
A brave reimagining of a harrowing story and an iconic figure.
Judges, The Costa Children's Book Award
An imaginative, clever and compelling novel.
Independent on Sunday
Absorbing . . . more truthful than The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. 5 stars!
Books for Keeps
A powerful and captivating story . . . told in intense, harrowing detail.
The Bookseller
Dogar creates a believable Peter and sustains emotional tension without becoming prurient or mawkish.
The Jewish Chronicle
Dogar has created a story that can stand proudly alongside The Diary of a Young Girl, but can also shine in its own light.
Publisher's Weekly
A sensitive and hugely compassionate story that will continue to resonate with you long after you put it down.
Reading Zone
An intimate, thoughtful and absorbing novel
Bookbag
Well written…moving and gripping.
The School Librarian
Dogar is a good, serious, at times beautiful writer, and young adult readers and, indeed, adult readers can be challenged and moved here.
Irish Independent
Shortlisted for the Sheffield Children’s Book Award, 2011
Sheffield Children's Book Award
A harrowing but compelling story. The closing of the book is one of the most poignant and emotional messages I have ever read.
Carousel
An interesting perspective to add to fictional Holocaust literature.
armadillomagazine.com
We need books like this sometimes. Just to remind us.
Library Mice
It is the most powerful book I’ve read this year and deserves a wide audience among both teenagers and adults.
Bury Press
I thoroughly recommend having a box of tissues beside you.
Cem's Book Hideout
The hardback attracted significant (and controversial) press coverage so expect big paperback sales.
The Bookseller
Acclaimed retelling of Anne Frank’s story.
Booksellers' Choice, The Bookseller
Shortlisted for the Costa Children’s Book Award, 2010
Costa Book Award
Shortlisted for the WE READ award
co-ordinated by Tamara MacFarlane and University College School
Longlisted for the Southern Schools Book Award
Southern Schools Book Award
Sad, intense and moving. Definitely a book for older readers and you’ll probably want to pass it on to your mum and dad as well as your mates.
Bliss Magazine
A convincing development of the facts of life of Anne Frank
The School Librarian
