Hitler’s Daughter 25th Anniversary – Jackie French

Harper Collins Australia

July 2024

ISBN: 9781460764008
ISBN 10: 1460764005
Imprint: HarperCollins AU
RRP: $17.99

When I took this out of the parcel I was aghast – at the fact of it being 25 years since I first read this, one of Jackie’s most loved MG books. I sent her a message saying so and she replied that she found it hard to believe as well! I was into my second year in the library and already a fan of Jackie’s work.

This historical novel completely fascinated me because it really did beg the question ‘what if?’. As a matter of fact, as I re-read it in the last weeks, I was talking to The Kid about its plotline, and we had a very indepth philosophical conversation on that topic. Just as Mark begins to question on the basis of Anna’s story, so too did K conjecture as to the ethics involved. I recently wrote some teaching notes for another fine book in which similar questions arose and when it is released by HC in October, it will make a fabulous paired read with this, the first in the ‘Hitler trilogy’.

For those who haven’t caught up with it in 25 years. To while away time in the rain waiting for the school bus, some country kids are playing their Story Game. But this time when Anna starts the story, it seems to be more than just fiction, it is delving back to a dark time in history, a lonely girl in a very peculiar circumstance, who believes (and is led to believe) that she is Hitler’s daughter. This is one of Jackie’s most absorbing historical fictions as it is so completely and utterly believable.

Heidi’s story is one of great poignancy and one which has such a ring of authenticity that it has often lead to valuable conversations in my library spaces. So many of my readers who have started with this one have gone on to eat up the following two and with this stunning new edition (that cover art is just superb!) what better time to introduce this trilogy to a new crop of readers?

My Year 5s have always been a receptive audience for this, and we have usually paired this with an author study, but it could easily be used from Year 4 to Year 8. It is one of the greatest joys of my career to have become friends with Jackie: to have visited her home more than once, to attend her workshop, to have her generously give her time for not just my students but also my daughter’s (!!), and now, to have the privilege of writing teaching notes as she continues to entrance her readers with new and engaging novels.

If you have the original edition, you’ll still want this one in its lovely new dress IMO – so make sure you get your order in soon! It’s an above and beyond 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating for this. Teaching notes and many other resources readily available for this treasured book.