Blog Entry #1 (Annexed)

Peter Van Pel is the main character in this book. He is a teenage Jewish boy who is being forced to go into hiding with the Frank family. Peter is having a hard time adjusting to living and hiding. The Nazi’s are arresting all the Jews and taking them away.  They already took his girlfriend, Liese. Who was taken away in a van by the military. He chased the van but felt helpless because he could not help her. So far, in the book, Peter does not think he is lucky and he wants to fight against the Nazi’s. At the end of each chapter, Peter speaks about his life in the camp, so each chapter is a flashback to when he was in hiding with the Frank. Although, he never thought so, he knows now how lucky he was to have a place to hide, where he was warm, well feed and with his family.

Mr. and Mrs. Frank are the ones who arranged for the hiding place in the annex. Margo Frank is the Frank oldest daughter and she is hiding with them. Anne Frank is the youngest daughter whom peter dislikes, he thinks she is too self assured and cheerful. Moschi is Peter’s cat and Mutti (Peter’s mom) smuggled the cat in her hatbox so Peter would not be lonely in the annex.  Papi is his father.

            The annex is a very small hidden apartment in a factory. Peter’s room is so small, if he stretches his arms, he can touch the wall. The windows were all covered with dark shades except for the attic room. That is the only place where they can get some fresh air and sunlight. Those windows are not covered because they’re too high. Peter goes there for fresh air and to look outside at the sky. The kitchen is an area where both families eat and cook together. Most conversation takes place there.

Anne seems to always have a positive attitude, which annoys peter. Anne finally Convinces peter to have some fun. He dressed in his mom’s dress and she in her father’s clothes. They imitated their parents so well, everyone had a good laugh. Peter and Anne ran to the attic and noticed through their window that the sky was full of the stars and Peter was amazed.  It seems to want to “live” again.