Story 13 - The Diaries of...with added historical fiction.
Honour the memory of those who lived through these times while also developing essential writing skills
THE HESITATION
I've been sitting on this piece for a while, unsure if it’s appropriate and feeling too hesitant to put it out in the world. Then, while scrolling through Substack the other day, I stumbled upon this quote:
“When we avoid difficult conversations, we trade short-term discomfort for long-term dysfunction.” ― Peter Bromberg.
Immediately, I was reminded of this piece. My hesitation is understandable, as I have reimagined a moment in Anne Frank’s diaries using different characters. I worry that this will be viewed as an insult rather than a testament. Maybe it will be. That’s up to the reader. However, I need to be bold. It's the number one thing I ask from my students: “Be brave,” I say, at least six times a day.
Another important reason for releasing this is that it taps into a particularly powerful style of creative writing: historical fiction. Historical fiction is a wonderful way to engage children. Whether they are learning about The Diary of a Young Girl, the Battle of Hastings, the trenches of the Western Front, or the death of Caesar, historical fiction provides a brilliant opportunity to explore themes, emotions, and the enduring personalities of iconic figures. It helps them engage with the lived experiences of such individuals and provides a chance to write stories with characters, settings, and plots already shaped by history.
In my example, I write from the perspective of a young person hiding from the Nazis, capturing the essence of fear and hope that Anne Frank so poignantly expressed. This approach takes the pressure off students creating their own worlds and characters, as it gifts them the bones of a story and allows them to recount some of the most pertinent moments in our human experience. It allows them to focus on the fundamentals of writing: vocabulary choice, sentence structure, figurative language, etc. These fundamentals are the heart and soul of writing. Get these things right, and we connect with our reader; get them wrong, and our writing slumps with a dull thud into the grey matter at the back of our reader’s brain, where they store useless information like their first email address, their childhood friend’s phone numbers, and the smell of their primary school’s dinner hall.
By embracing historical fiction, we can bridge the gap between past and present, making history accessible and engaging. In doing so, we honour the memory of those who lived through these times while also developing essential writing skills along the way.
Have a go. Talk to your child about a moment in history you are familiar with. Introduce them to icons like Anne Frank, then ask them to put themselves into those situations and write about it. Remember, keep to the TRINITY RULE (link here) to make things simple.
Dear Diary,
Today the smell is suffocating. It has risen from a dry decay to an all-consuming rot. It’s a constant effort not to breathe through my nose, but I often forget, especially during my nap. Today is the 52nd day of hiding in this cramped space, and who knows how much longer we will have to stay here. It could be a thousand more. The thought makes my heart sink to the pit of my stomach, where it finds nothing but ravenous rumbles of hunger. Despite surviving on one meal a day, consisting of stale bread, warm water, and the occasional lump of old cheese, I still look forward to this moment. It brings an event to the monotony of our days, a chance to gather and share morsels of food and scraps of ordinary humanity amidst the extraordinary inhumanity. It reminds me what life has to offer. That even in the dire depths of despair, hope can survive, like the flickering flame of a candle that refuses to quit in the cold winter wind. Mr. Muller brought us our food today, which was strange. Usually, that’s his wife’s job, but I haven’t seen her in days. I hope nothing bad has happened to her; she was nice to us. He seems much angrier. I don’t trust him. He never smiles or looks us in the eye. I can see we are a burden to him. I know that hiding us in his house is risky, but surely the eternal damnation of guilt at giving us up would be worse, wouldn’t it?
I worry for my grandfather, too; I can see the effect all this is having on him. At his age it’s important to have good sleep and a balanced diet. The thick mop of hair I used to grip to when he lifted me onto his shoulders has been reduced to stringy grey strands that cling to his scalp like mouldy clumps in a plughole. He constantly sweats, and his skin has turned a pale shade of ash as he shivers and shakes between bouts of sleep. Clearly, he is sick, and I don’t think he can last much longer. He doesn’t mind, though. Survival for him is about one thing: our freedom. He only wants to live to see us free; if it wasn’t for that burning desire, I believe he’d accept death in a heartbeat.
I am especially grateful for my younger brother. He is the only thing that brings any energy or life to this place. He doesn’t understand why we are here, or who the Nazis are. He thinks this is all some game, and frankly, I think he is just glad to be out of school. This morning, he demanded that I play backgammon and checkers with him, even though he doesn’t understand the rules. As usual, I couldn’t say no to those sweet innocent eyes, which claw at me like a lost puppy, knowing I will always give in. He’s the reason I keep going. He’s the light at the end of this dark tunnel. To overcome the horrors of our existence, I’ve learned to focus my imagination on a future with my brother, where good people have saved us from this hell and history has learned never to repeat its errors. Through trials and tribulations, a better world can be born.
It was my turn to wash myself today, but it was a half-hearted attempt. It just seems so futile. The smell in this room is already overpowering, and who am I supposed to be getting clean for? Mum says it is important to keep up routine. “Routine will keep away the insanity,” she says, even though I can see a madness taking hold in her eyes; they used to be such a bright blue, but now they are little more than a pale sky, drained of colour by clouds of despair and filled with a fog of fear. She is calling to me now; she says it is time to say our prayers and then to bed.
Until tomorrow,
Simon
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
How long has Simon been hiding?
A) Nearly two months
B) Half a month
C) Just over a week
D) Almost a year
What does Simon eat and drink each day?
A) Fresh meals with plenty of water
B) Simple meals that are often dry and old
C) Gourmet food and fresh juice
D) Fast food and soda
Who usually delivers food to Simon's family?
A) Mr. Muller
B) Mrs. Muller
C) Simon's mother
D) Simon's grandfather
What condition is Simon's grandfather in?
A) Full of energy and health
B) Struggling with poor health and fatigue
C) Sleeping well and looking strong
D) Mildly tired but generally okay
What games does Simon's younger brother enjoy playing?
A) Sports like soccer
B) Card games and puzzles
C) Board games without knowing the rules
D) Video games all day long
In-Depth Questions
Why is Simon worried about Mr. Muller?
Answer: Simon is worried because Mr. Muller, who brought food, seems very angry and unfriendly. Also, Simon hasn’t seen Mrs. Muller, who usually brings the food, and he is scared something bad happened to her.
How does Simon stay hopeful even though things are very bad?
Answer: Simon stays hopeful by thinking about the small happy moments when they share food. He also dreams about a better future where they are free and safe, especially with his little brother.
What does Simon’s description of his grandfather show about old people in their situation?
Answer: It shows that the hard life and lack of good food and sleep are making old people like his grandfather very sick and weak. Even though his grandfather is very ill, he still wants to live to see them free.
Why does Simon think washing himself doesn’t make much sense?
Answer: Simon thinks washing doesn’t make much sense because the place already smells very bad and he wonders why he should bother cleaning himself when no one will see him. But his mother says keeping a routine helps them stay sane.
What does Simon’s diary tell us about how he feels towards his younger brother?
Answer: Simon loves his younger brother very much and feels happy when he is around. He feels a strong need to protect him and his brother gives him a reason to keep going and hope for the future.