Submitted By: Raisa Ahmed
Profession/Background: High school English teacher with a love for literature.
Book Title: The Diary of a Young Girl
Author: Anne Frank
Before reading the Book:
I’ve always loved books. As a kid, I would hide under the blanket with a flashlight and a novel, reading until my eyes ached. But somewhere between growing up and paying bills, reading became more of a duty than a joy. As an English teacher, I was supposed to guide students through classic texts, yet I often felt disconnected from the material myself. I knew about The Diary of a Young Girl, of course. I’d heard the name, seen quotes on posters, even skimmed a few pages once—but I never truly read it.
If I’m being honest, I avoided it. I thought it would be just another sad book about war. I figured I already knew the history. What more could it tell me?
Discovering the Book That Changed Everything:
Then, one day, I found a copy of it while helping my niece sort through her school things. She asked if I’d ever read it, and I hesitated. That pause alone made me realize it was time.
I started reading it that evening. And almost immediately, I felt like I was sitting beside Anne in that tiny hidden room. Her voice was so real—funny, sharp, thoughtful, sometimes annoyed, sometimes hopeful. She didn’t sound like a symbol of history. She sounded like a teenager with dreams and doubts, stuck in a terrifying situation but still trying to hold onto normal life.
As I turned the pages, I wasn’t just reading her story—I was living it with her. I felt her boredom, her fear, her need for privacy, her longing to be understood. And it hit me hard: this wasn’t just about war. It was about being human when the world tries to take that away from you.
After the Book:
After finishing the book, I couldn’t stop thinking about her. For days, her words echoed in my mind. I’d be standing in line at the grocery store or grading papers and suddenly remember something she wrote. I found myself wondering how someone so young could write with such depth and honesty.
It also made me rethink how I teach. I realized I’d been presenting history as facts and timelines, but not as lived experiences. Anne reminded me that behind every event are people—people with emotions, with voices that need to be heard. That changed everything for me.
I introduced her diary into my class reading list that year, and it sparked the most honest conversations I’ve ever had with students. Some cried. Some opened up about their own struggles. Anne’s voice gave them permission to feel and to share.
The Transformation:
Reading Anne Frank’s diary didn’t just educate me—it shifted something in me. It reminded me why I fell in love with books in the first place. Her words were so raw, so personal, that they forced me to look inward.
I started journaling again, something I hadn’t done in years. It helped me clear my thoughts, process feelings I didn’t know I was carrying. Anne taught me that writing isn’t just about expression—it’s about survival, understanding, connection.
She also made me more patient, more compassionate. When I deal with students now, especially the quiet or moody ones, I remind myself that everyone is carrying their own invisible war. Anne was just a girl, but her words carried so much wisdom. She made me a better teacher, and maybe even a better human.
My Favorite Line & How It Helps Me Every Day:
“I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart.”
This line stopped me in my tracks. I read it three times, then closed the book and cried. How could someone hiding from people who wanted her dead still believe that?
That sentence has become my anchor on tough days. Whether it’s dealing with a rude parent, watching the news, or just facing disappointment, I remind myself that kindness still exists. Anne saw the worst of humanity, and yet she chose to hold onto hope. That gives me the strength to do the same.
To Anyone Considering This Book:
Don’t wait like I did. Don’t assume you know her story. Anne isn’t just a name in a history lesson—she’s someone you’ll come to know deeply if you let her speak to you.
Read this book slowly. Let it sink in. Let her voice stay with you, because it will. And when you finish, I promise you won’t be the same. This book doesn’t just tell a story—it gives you a mirror, showing you the beauty and fragility of being human.