About to turn 11 when the story starts, Anne must “grow up” quickly because of wartime conflict and persecution that she is powerless to control but that has a profound impact on her everyday existence.

Anne is a bubbly and vivacious adolescent before Germany invades the Netherlands. Having lived in Amsterdam since she was four years old, Anne thinks of the city as her home and loves its old-world, fairy-tale buildings and canals. Anne attends a Montessori school that avoids rote learning and formal rows of desks; her creativity and natural curiosity thrive in the less structured setting. Anne is empathetic, caring deeply about her family members, neighbors, and friends; she also displays a deep sense of wonder and concern for the natural world, as evidenced by her emotional attachment to the magpies and rabbits she sees from her apartment. Anne loves books and stories; she is fascinated by myths and demonstrates a high degree of comprehension and metaphorical thought when she compares her circumstances to those of mythic figures. She enjoys the freedom of ice skating and riding her bike; she dreams of love.

Anne’s coming-of-age experiences are set into motion when Germany invades the Netherlands and quickly occupies the country.