Anne Frank: 8 Facts About a Girl Who Wrote With Hope

Anne Frank was a Jewish girl who lived during the Second World War. For two years she had to hide in secret rooms in Amsterdam, and she wrote about her life in a diary. Today millions of people around the world read her words. In this post you will read 8 Anne Frank facts, told in simple English. Each fact also has a useful word or phrase for you to learn.

8 Anne Frank facts

1. She was born in Germany

Anne Frank was born on 12 June 1929 in Frankfurt, Germany. Her full name was Annelies Marie Frank. She had an older sister called Margot. In 1933, Adolf Hitler and the Nazis came to power in Germany, and life became dangerous for Jewish families. So the Frank family moved to Amsterdam, in the Netherlands, to be safe.

“The family moved to a new country to start a new life.”

2. She chose her own birthday present

On her 13th birthday, in June 1942, Anne got a very special present: an autograph book with a red-and-white checked cover and a small lock. She had chosen it herself! She decided to use it as a diary (a book where you write about your day and your feelings).

“She wrote in her diary almost every day.”

3. She wrote her diary to “Kitty”

Anne didn’t just write “Today I did this.” She wrote her diary like letters to a friend. Many of her entries start with “Dear Kitty”. Kitty was an imaginary friend (a friend who lives only in your mind). This made her writing feel warm and personal, as if she were talking to someone she trusted.

“She told Kitty all her secrets and dreams.”

4. The door to her hiding place was behind a bookcase

On 6 July 1942, the Frank family went into hiding. They lived in secret rooms at the back of Otto Frank’s office building, at Prinsengracht 263 in Amsterdam. Anne called it the Secret Annex. Soon, a moving bookcase was put in front of the door, so nobody could see that there were rooms behind it. In the end, eight people hid there together.

“The door was hidden behind a bookcase.”

5. Brave helpers kept them alive

The people in hiding could not go outside. A small group of brave helpers from Otto’s office, including his secretary Miep Gies, brought them food, news and books. Helping Jewish people was very dangerous at that time, but they did it every day for more than two years.

“Her helpers were very brave.”

6. She loved a tree outside the window

From a small window in the attic, Anne could see the sky and a big chestnut tree. Looking at nature gave her hope (the feeling that good things can happen). In May 1944 she wrote that the tree was in full bloom and even more beautiful than the year before. The tree fell in a storm in 2010, but young trees grown from its chestnuts now grow in many countries.

“The tree gave her hope on difficult days.”

7. She dreamed of becoming a writer

In March 1944, Anne heard a Dutch minister on the radio. He asked people to keep their diaries and letters, so that after the war everyone could learn what life was like. Anne was excited. She started to rewrite her diary as a real book, and she even chose a title: Het Achterhuis, which means “The Secret Annex”. She wanted to be a journalist or a writer one day.

“She wanted to become a writer.”

8. Her diary reached the whole world

Sadly, on 4 August 1944, the people in the Secret Annex were found and arrested. Anne died in early 1945 in a camp called Bergen-Belsen. She was only 15. Her father, Otto, was the only one of the eight people who survived. Miep Gies had saved Anne’s diary, and she gave it to him. In 1947, Otto published it as a book. Today, The Diary of a Young Girl is read in more than 75 languages.

“Miep Gies saved the diary for Anne’s father.”

What can English learners learn from Anne Frank?

These Anne Frank facts are sad, but they are also full of light. Anne could not go to school or play outside, but she never stopped writing, reading and dreaming. Writing helped her understand her feelings and stay strong.

You can try this too! Keep a small English diary. Write three short sentences every evening: what you did, how you felt, and one thing you are happy about. It is a wonderful way to practise new words. If you like books, read 6 Famous People Who Loved Reading as Children next.

Quick vocabulary review

• diary: a book where you write about your day and feelings
• imaginary: only in your mind, not real
• hide / hiding: go to a place where nobody can find you
• brave: not afraid to do something dangerous or difficult
• hope: the feeling that good things can happen
• rewrite: write something again to make it better

Can you write one sentence about Anne Frank with two of these words? Write it in your own English diary!

Learn English with real stories

At Bright Lives English, you learn English through true stories of inspiring people like Anne Frank. Watch our free A2 video lesson Anne Frank: She Hid Behind a Bookcase for Two Years… Then Her Diary Reached the World and learn five useful words with clear speaking and a full transcript. Then choose your level and explore more free video lessons. Whose story would you like to hear next?