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Shortlisted for the Costa Children's Book of the Year Award 2010. Shortlisted for the prestigious Sheffield Children's Book Award 2011.
The Diary of Anne Frank is one of the most treasured children’s books of the last fifty years. Anne’s account of the years she spent in hiding from the Nazi’s in Amsterdam during the Second World War vividly tells much about how she feels about the experience and something about how she views those in hiding with her including Peter, a young man only a few years older than her.
In Annexed, for which there was a considerable amount of media controversy in the lead up to publication, Sharon Dogar sensitively explores Peter’s story; what he feels about the experience of being in hiding, about being a Jew and, in particular, about what he feels about Anne. Initially irritated by what he sees as a rather silly young girl, Peter soon finds himself falling in love with Anne’s vivacity, intelligence and strength of purpose. Looking back from his deathbed in a Nazi concentration camp, Peter’s diary is touching and sensitive. In speculating and embellishing from some known facts and asking many ‘what if’ questions, Sharon Dogar has taken on a difficult task through which she has created a fascinating and inspiring story. 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.
From the author, Sharon Dogar:
'Annexed is an imaginary tale, based on history, in which I try to imagine what it might have beel like to actuallly have lived with Anne Frank; to have become the target of her love; and to be so cruelly torn apart from her'.
A message from the author on hearing Annexed had been shortlisted for the Costa Children's Book of the Year Award 2010:
‘Just over a year ago it looked as though annexed might never find a publisher. Seeing it on the Costa shortlist feels wonderful; an unexpected validation.’
From Charlie Sheppard, Editor at Andersen Press, which has two titles - Annexed and Out of Shadows - shortlisted for the Costa Children's Book of the Year Award 2010:
‘There’s so much serendipity and luck in publishing and I think this story just proves that. These books were the first two I bought for Andersen Press. I couldn’t quite believe they’d landed on my desk in my first few weeks in the new job. Both of them changed the way I think, and for me that’s one of the most important things a children’s book can do. But both of them had been rejected by other publishers before they reached me. Wrong desk, wrong time. To have been able to work on these two incredible books has been an honour and a highlight of my career, and to have both of them recognised like this feels like a fairytale ending. I just hope Klaus [Publisher Klaus Flugge is Charlie's boss at Andersen Press] realises that these wonderful novels are one-offs and I won’t have 2 books on the shortlist every year!!’
The Costa Children's Book of the Year Award 2010 Shortlist:
Out of Shadows - Jason Wallace
Synopsis
Annexed by Sharon Dogar
Julia Eccleshare from Lovereading4kids talks to Sharon Dogar about her book Annexed
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.
Watch the trailer here:
There is also a website for Annexed including videos and teaching resources for KeyStage 3 and 4. Click here to visit.
Reviews
‘Dogar has been utterly respectful and a lot of care has been taken to ensure Peter’s story echoes Anne’s account. A million miles away from a quick-buck, money-making scheme (of which it’s been accused) and so much closer to 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.’ - Keith Gray, The Scotsman
‘A delicate, poised and scrupulous re-enactment.’ - Mal Peet
‘Absorbing...more truthful than 'The Boy in Striped Pyjamas'. 5 stars! - Books for Keeps
‘Dogar creates a believable Peter and sustains emotional tension without becoming prurient or mawkish.’ - Jewish Chronicle
‘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
'A powerful and captivating story...told in intense, harrowing detail.' - Fiona Noble,
The Bookseller
'An intimate, thoughtful and absorbing novel.' - Jill Murphy, The Bookbag
About the Author

Other Formats

Book Info
Format
Hardback
320 pages
Interest Age: From 12 years
Author
Sharon Dogar
More books by Sharon Dogar
Author's Website
Publisher
Andersen Press Ltd
Publication date
2nd September 2010
ISBN
9781849391245
Categories
Publisher Profile
Andersen Press Ltd is an imprint of Andersen Press
Andersen Press is one of the leading independent children’s publishers, publishing some of the biggest names in the world of children's books including the much-loved picture book characters the Little Princess and Elmer the patchwork elephant. Andersen Press is the home of many award-winning authors and illustrators including Melvin Burgess, Rebecca Stead, Satoshi Kitamura, Tony Ross, David McKee, Chris Judge and Jeanne Willis. Founded in 1976 by Klaus Flugge it won the Bologna Best Children’s Publisher prize in the European Category in 2016, the company’s 40th anniversary year.
Publisher's Website
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