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Texas Center for the Book

Letters About Literature Essay Contest 2009

Level One Winner
Sophie Muie
The Village School, Houston, Texas

Sophie Muir wrote to Anne Frank, author of Diary of a Young Girl.

Dear Anne Frank,

While reading Anne Franks Diary of a Young Girl, a lot of many different emotions came to me, emotions that I never really felt before while reading a book. I felt happiness, sadness, fearfulness, and surprisingly, I felt a lot of greediness toward myself. Sitting in bed at night when everyone else was sleeping, I read your book. Page by page I fell in love with it.

While reading your book, tears fell from my eyes, but not long after your cheerful words brought a big smile back to me. Your diary showed me that I am a very lucky girl and that I have absolutely nothing to complain about. I honestly don’t really know how to explain my reaction to your diary, I was basically just so shocked about the tragedy in your life, and also amused by your happy and young words. I enjoyed reading about life in hiding, and I am very surprised about how quiet you had to be. I am so loud and obnoxious, that I would not last one day in there! After finishing your diary, I was desperate to go to Holland and see what was left of the annex where you lived for many years, but I never got to go to Amsterdam to see it, but it is definitely on the top of my “places to go before I die” list.

My mum was the person who introduced me to your diary. She said that your book touched her and she hoped that I would be touched by it too. I did get something out of your book, and I am so glad that I read it. I also felt related to all of your problems growing up. I thought that it was so interesting that we live in such different places and live in different times, and I can still relate and feel connected what you are saying. Not only did I get lessons out of your book, I also got tips on how to grow up and I learned that sometimes it can be difficult.

Your diary was almost like a comfort blanket. When I was reading your book I forgot all about the other bad things, it was almost like your book created a bubble around me, and no one could break it. The most valuable lesson I got from the book was to be appreciative of what you have because other kids don’t get treated as well as me. So next time I complain about not getting the littlest thing, I will remember your diary, and I will appreciate what I have.

Sincerely,
Sophie Muir, Grade 6

© The Center for the Book in the Library of Congress. (Used by permission.)