Alias Anna

Bibliography:Hood, S., & Dawson, G. (2022). Alias Anna: A True Story of Outwitting the Nazis. Harper. ISBN 9780063083899

Plot Summary: This is the story of Zhanna Arshanskaya, a young Jewish Ukranian, she and her family are forced by the Nazis to leave their home. Zhanna and her sister Frina (both talented pianists) are able to escape, and by changing their names, through several circumstances end up performing for the Nazis (who don't realize the girls are Jewish) to survive. They eventually make it to freedom in the U.S.

Critical Analysis: This biographical novel is told in verse and is cowritten by Zhanna's (Anna's) son. The story follows the girls from when life was peaceful, through Nazi takeover, escaping, outwitting the Nazis, and finally to America where they begin a new life. The authors use various poetry styles, which as mentioned below, doesn't alway suit the horrors the sisters suffered. This does not detract, however, from the overall feel of the novel as most of the poems maintain a somber tone. The authors use simple Several of the poems include direct quotes from Anna's, giving the story more authenticity as a biography. At times though, the verses seem unnecessary and I can't help but to think that the story may have flowed more smoothly if written in a basic novel format. The novel concludes with some interesting extras, including notes from Zhanna's granddaughter, who begins the novel by writing a letter asking her grandmother what life was like in the 1940's, and from her son who discusses how learning more about his mother led him to delve deeper into her history. Overall a good read with a unique perspective of the impact World War 2 had on a young Jewish girl who survived.

Awards: 

A Sydney Taylor Book Award Middle Grade Notable, 2023

A Jewish Book Council Award Middle Grade Finalist!

Reviews:

YAbookscentral.com: "This incredible true story in-verse about sisterhood, survival, and music is perfect for fans of Lifeboat 12, Inside Out and Back Again.... "

Publisher'sWeekly.com: "While tonally light poems can feel at odds with the wrenching content, quotes from Zhanna herself...impart weight and power to this accessible portrait of two talented and determined teens.'

Connections:

Use in middle or high school classrooms in a cross-curricular lesson in History and English.  In English, read together, then follow up by reading The Diary of Anne Frank and compare and contrast the themes, setting and characters. Then in History, students can compare and contrast the historical aspects of the two novels and the different girls' experiences.

In a middle or high school English class, again have students read together and follow up with The Diary of Anne Frank.  Have students write an essay about what they think would have happened to Anne Frank if she had been able to escape like Zanna and Frina did. 



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