Age rating and parents' guide:The Diary of a Young Girl
by Anne Frank
Ages 12–14
The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank is best for children aged 12–14. It has mild violence, some scary moments, a little romance and no bad language. Worth knowing: Holocaust; ends in tragedy (afterword).
This real diary records thirteen-year-old Anne Frank's life as her Jewish family hides in a secret annex in Amsterdam to escape Nazi persecution. Through her candid and heartfelt entries, Anne reflects on teenage growing pains, hopes, family arguments, and the daily fear of discovery. Young readers connect deeply with Anne's warm, relatable voice and her remarkable resilience, making history feel personal and immediate.
Content ratings
How much of each a parent can expect, from none to strong.
- Violence
- Mild
- Scary moments
- Moderate
- Romance
- Mild
- Bad language
- None
Worth knowing: Holocaust; ends in tragedy (afterword)
Content checked by Dhiraj Bodade, co-founder of Bookstaken, on .
At a glance
- Novel
- A demanding read, best for confident readers
- Mostly text
- Some emotionally heavy moments
Great for kids who like
- Historical Fiction
Reading mood
- Suspenseful
Good to talk about
- Family
- Historical Fiction
Books like The Diary of a Young Girl
Similar stories for the same ages, none more intense than this one should be for its youngest readers.
Ages 12–14
The Book Thief
by Markus Zusak
Set in Germany during the Second World War, this moving story follows young foster girl Liesel Meminger. As her foster father teaches her to read, she discovers a deep passion for books, sharing stolen stories with her neighbors during air raids and with the Jewish man hiding in her basement. Uniquely narrated by Death, the novel offers a powerful, lyrical perspective on the horrors of war, the cruelty of prejudice, and the extraordinary power of words and human kindness to offer hope in dark times.
Ages 12–14
The War That Saved My Life
by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Ten-year-old Ada has never left her one-room London flat because her cruel mother is ashamed of her clubfoot. When children are evacuated to the countryside during World War II, Ada sneaks away with her little brother Jamie. In a quiet seaside village, they are taken in by Susan Smith, a reluctant guardian dealing with her own grief. Ada learns to ride a pony, read, and trust adults for the first time. It is an emotional, empowering story about resilience and found family.
Ages 9–14
Number the Stars
by Lois Lowry
In Copenhagen during World War II, ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen watches as Nazi forces begin to target the city's Jewish population. When the danger reaches her best friend, Ellen Rosen, Annemarie's family steps in to hide Ellen as their own daughter. Soon, the Johansens must take brave risks to help Ellen and other families escape across the sea to Sweden. It is a tense yet gentle historical story that introduces younger readers to the courage of ordinary people resisting injustice.
Ages 12–14
A Night Divided
by Jennifer A. Nielsen
When the Berlin Wall goes up overnight in 1961, twelve-year-old Gerta finds her family suddenly torn apart, with her father and middle brother stuck on the western side. Living under the watchful eyes of East German guards, she spots a secret message from her father and realizes he wants her to dig a tunnel beneath the death strip. Together with her brother Fritz, Gerta undertakes an exhausting and dangerous secret mission. It is a tense, suspenseful historical thriller about courage, family devotion, and the desperate longing for freedom.
Ages 12–14
The Fellowship of the Ring
by J.R.R. Tolkien
Frodo Baggins inherits a mysterious golden ring from his uncle Bilbo, only to discover it holds terrifying power and belongs to the Dark Lord Sauron. Accompanied by a loyal band of hobbits, men, an elf, a dwarf, and a wizard, Frodo sets out on an arduous journey across Middle-earth to destroy the ring before evil claims the world. Readers are captivated by Tolkien's incredibly rich world-building, high-stakes danger, and the enduring bonds of friendship that carry the characters through dark times.
Ages 12–14
Animal Farm
by George Orwell
When the mistreated animals of Manor Farm drive out their human master, they dream of building an equal and just society where every creature is free. Led by the clever pigs, they establish Animalism and set to work managing the farm themselves. Over time, however, power concentrates into fewer hands, and rules slowly begin to change. This classic political fable uses an accessible barnyard setting to examine how ideals can be corrupted by greed, making it thought-provoking reading for older children exploring history and politics.
A good book is the start. A mentor makes it stick.
In a free 1:1 session, a trained Bookstaken mentor reads with your child, asks what they think and helps the reading habit last.