We All Wore Stars: Memories of Anne Frank from Her Classmates

By Theo Coster

In 1941, Theo Coster was a student at the Amsterdam Jewish Lyceum, one in a class of 28 Jewish children that the Nazis had segregated from the rest of the Dutch population. Among Theo's fellow students was a young Anne Frank, whose diary would later become one of the most important documents of the Holocaust. In this remarkable group portrait, Coster and five of his fellow classmates gather their personal stories and memories of Anne. The accounts collected here do not just help us to rediscover Anne Frank. They also stand on their own as remarkable stories of ingenuity and survival during the Holocaust--from Albert Gomes de Mesquita, who hid in ten different towns across Europe--to Hannah Goslar, who experienced the horrors of Bergen-Belsen but also made a miraculous reconnection with Anne days before her death.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Publishers
• Release date: Oct 18, 2011
• ISBN: 9780230340596

Theo Coster

Theo Coster was a classmate and friend of Anne Frank at the Amsterdam Jewish Lyceum. A toymaker and game designer, he is executive producer of the documentary film The Classmates of Anne Frank and the author of We All Wore Stars. Coster has lived in Tel Aviv since 1955.

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Reviews for We All Wore Stars

[lrusso216_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Coster's book "We All Wore Stars" is both disturbing and eminently readable. It is particularly hard to read for many reasons. Firstly, it concerns Anne Frank and her Secret Annex, which in itself is hard to read. Secondly, the varied experiences of the classmates is difficult. They range from relative freedom (the author) to hiding and moving constantly. It all came down to luck and how one looked. Finally, it reveals an indictment of the Dutch who, according to the author, could have done more to protect the innocent. That said, Coster has provided a very readable book. His ability to put together recollections of disparate people who were classmates of Anne Frank is unparalleled. A good book about a difficult subject.

[frank_juliano_5 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What is left to say about Anne Frank that the lively, spirited and ultimately doomed teenager who died in a Nazi concentration camp?Plenty, as Theo Coster proves in this thin but charming book. Anne's friends, now more than 80 years old, recall her as flirty, fun, interested in movies, boys and parties. In other words a typical teenaged girl. But Anne's friends recall her gift with words too, and feel as many who've read her diary do-- that the world lost a unique literary voice when the Holocaust claimed her.Even more poignant are the recollections of Coster and his friends of classmates who disappeared one by one; some to unknown fates but many to death at the hands of an evil regime.Some of Anne's classmates say that they never had a normal adolescence-- not just because of the war but because they never had a chance to "rebel,'' as they were in hiding.All children play pretend but for this generation of Jewish children in Holland, "we were performing in a kind of play, only it was for real and for our lives,'' Coster writes.

[merrymeerkat · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I've always loved the Diary of Anne Frank so when I saw this book I knew I had to read it. I was expecting a book full of stories of Anne. What I got was a book of the stories of the classmates of Anne and what happened to them during the war. You can barely make a connection between these people and Anne Frank. It almost seems like a gimick to sell books because theres barely any stories of Anne in it. But if you get passed that it was an ok book, but I've read better memory books about the Holocaust.

[kp9949 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I received this book through Early Reviewers. Having always been interested in WWII especially in Europe and the Anne Frank story, I was thrilled to receive this book. I found it a little plodding; however, it was a good companion piece to Anne's own story. It is exactly what it says it is in the title: "Memories of Anne Frank from her classmates". It is also the story of her classmates and how they survived the war by being hidden themselves.

[lms8esmith · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

As the title suggests, Anne Frank's classmates detail stories of how they remember her from when they attended school or grew up together. This work is more than just fond memories of Anne. Each classmate details their own situations and they reflect on their own lives before, during, and after the war. These stories mesmerized me more than their memories of Anne. This short novel is great for those studying Anne Frank or those who love to read about the history of WWII.

[insightsgal · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

An excellent book for those familiar with WWIi history, and an especially good companion book to Anne Frank's book. I don't think this would stand alone if the reader was not familiar with Frank's book and legacy, but since Frank's book is one of the most widely read books in the world, finding someone unfamiliar with it would be unlikely.We All Wore Stars is an intimate book chronicling the history of several of Anne's classmates. It's fascinating (and so so sad) to hear what they all went through during the war years. What trauma they faced, and how when the war was over many of them were left to face the trauma alone. If you're interested in this time period, and how war affects children, you'll really enjoy this book.

[readingfiend_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was written by a classmate of Anne Frank's. He gathered together other classmates and they met to talk about their experiences during the Holocaust. Who went into hiding, who was hiding in plain sight, who moved from place to place and what they remembered of Anne and her family. Interspersed was Theo's own story.The synopsis on the back says it far better than I can: "Taken together, they reveal the vitality, resilience, and complex humanity of children living through one of the darkest chapters in history."

[stellarexplorer · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

It is fashionable for a reviewer to establisher his bona fides by mentioning extensive experience with the topic at hand. When it comes to the Holocaust, such a maneuver seems particularly crass. A thousand memoirs read are as nothing compared to a tattoo on the arm. But the memoirists themselves do us a great service. The most valuable of these accounts allow us to bear witness to the capacity for the greatest evil, and in its wake, the greatest resilience and will to survive. And they offer up the weight of an almost unimaginable emotional landscape: one painted in fear, hunger, death and obscenity.I wish I could report that "We All Wore Stars: Memories of Anne Frank from her Classmates" by Theo Coster is such an account. Mr. Coster has produced a book based on meetings and interviews with his – and her --- former classmates. This emerged out of his documentary film “The Classmates of Anne Frank” based on the same project.In fact, the title of this book is misleading. The memories of Anne Frank are present but spare, and the book deals more with Mr. Coster’s interviews focusing on experiences in Holland during the War, and his own story of surviving the war in the care of a Christian family. That the Anne Frank name is prominent in the title is testament more to her continuing marketability, and one wonders whether the appearance of exploitation crossed Mr. Coster’s mind.Perhaps Miss Frank would have no objection. But precocious and talented writer that she was, she could not have forgiven the rest. It is hard to conceive that an account of Jews surviving Nazi occupation amid the murders of their fellows could be sterile. But that is what Mr. Coster has accomplished. The emotional tone throughout is shockingly cheerful and chatty; it is as if the team survived a particularly bad game, and then went out for dinner. It is not clear whether the author is able to appreciate the full brunt of his subject, but is not writer enough to articulate it. Or whether – could it be due to wartime trauma? – his limited emotional insight does not allow him to address this difficult topic. One wished throughout that Anne Frank were only here to leap to the author’s aid.

[flashlight_reader · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is probably the hardest review I have ever written. I really don’t know where to start. I was giving this book awhile back for review, but I put it off until I was in the right emotional mindset to read such a difficult topic. As fate would have it, my book club’s topic this month is the Holocaust. After all, Holocaust Remembrance Day is April 18th. I was worried when I started this book that it was going to be emotional draining like Night by Elie Wiesel. (Wonderful book, but heavy reading.) I could hardly finish the book because I was crying so much. I was relieved to find that We All Wore Stars: Memories of Anne Frank from Her Classmates was a much lighter read. The author has taken a slightly different angle to share on this horrific event, which makes this a perfect book for introducing the Holocaust. I do not usually like nonfiction, but I love nonfiction that reads like a novel. We All Wore Stars was divided into three sections: before, during, and after the war. Instead of focusing solely on the concentration camps, the book shares the memories of a group of Holocaust survivors (and classmates of Anne Frank). I found it so interesting to see how the different people spent their time in hiding (or not) during the war. It really is amazing to see how one event can affect so many in different ways. I was engrossed from the beginning. The writing style is casual, as if Mr. Coster was sitting on my couch recounting his tale, which makes this an easy to read book for all ages. One of the most interesting elements of this book was the insight into the type of person Anne Frank was. She was described by her former classmates as flirty, vivacious, slightly conceited, and imprudent. Not at all the image I had in my head from her diary! The stories that they each share helps create an image of Anne Frank like none I’ve encountered before. Everyone knows her name and her story, but there has been little insight into the type of person she was before the war. Until now… But the memories and insight don’t end with Anne. Her father was mentioned throughout the story as well. He was a remarkable man with a heart full of compassion. I admit I cried when I read how he reacted to the news that his girls died before the Liberation. I wish I could find the words to fully describe this book and the impact it had on me. Unfortunately, there are no words that could come close to doing justice. One thing that I did take away from this book is that all of the people that were affected by the war are remarkable. Obviously, the fact that they survived these atrocities is amazing, but it’s more than that. Given everything they have been through, none of them harbor hate. Not a single drop. The theme of circumstance is what you make of it runs throughout this book. These people have every right to be angry and consumed by hate, but they chose a different path. Instead of focusing on being victims, they chose to embrace the life that they have. It’s inspiring. When I think of my worst day or my meager “terrible” circumstance, it dulls in comparison and really puts things into perspective. As I’ve said, this book would be a great introduction to the Holocaust. The terror of this time in history is still evident on every page, but there is a message of hope as well. It’s powerful.

[tloeffler_3 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Sometimes it's easy to think that Anne Frank was the only young Jewish girl who was in hiding during World War II, since she's the only one whose diary became a best-seller. But Anne had classmates, and one of them took it upon himself in 2007-2008 to produce a documentary film about a group of people in the same class as Anne Frank, each with different "adventures" during the war, the only difference between them and Anne being survival. Theo Coster wrote this book about his interviews and talks with his fellow classmates about how they survived the war and how their lives turned out. A very different perspective on the war, and one that, again, makes you wonder how these things can happen.

[labfs39 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Theo Coster lives in Israel now and, along with his wife, is known for designing world renowned games. But once, he was a thirteen year old Jewish kid living in Amsterdam and going to school with Anne Frank. Sixty-five years later, Theo decides that he wants to record his story for his grandchildren. Instead of writing a memoir, Theo is inspired by the publication of the book Absent: Memories of the Jewish Lyceum in Amsterdam. He decides to find as many of his old classmates as he can and tell their stories collectively within the framework of their all having been school chums with Anne, or Annelies, as they knew her. His project grew into the documentary, The Classmates of Anne Frank, and has been shown around the world. This book is an outgrowth of his work on the film.The book tells the story of how Theo is able to track down five of his and Anne's classmates, their recollections of Anne, and their own stories of being a child during the Holocaust. I was a bit trepidatious about the book at first glance, worried that the author was trying to make some money off his acquaintance with the Anne. Instead, I found a warm story of a microcosm of Jewish children and how they each survived the Holocaust. Although each person interviewed is asked what they remember of Anne, the main thrust is their own stories, each of which is told in a few simple pages.What particularly strikes me at this point, even more than I had expected, is how differently each of us has experienced the war. Individual experiences of historical events can vary incredibly widely.Theo and his family were fortunate and unusual in that they all survived the war and returned to their former house and lives. Theo's years in hiding were with a caring family in the country, and he was able to attend school and play outside. The classmates he interviews had more difficult times. Albert Gomes de Mesquita was moved ten times during the war, and although he and his sister starved at times, Albert does not remember his time in hiding as oppressive. Lenie Duyzend looked Jewish and was unable to hide in the open as Theo did. Until she was betrayed, she lived in a small room built into the ground that was only large enough for a bed and was accessed through a trapdoor in a closet. For a while she lived with an assortment of partisans, downed Allied pilots, and fellow Jews in the woods. Again, she and the others were betrayed.In a short chapter entitled "Levels of Suffering", Albert, the one who changed hiding places so often, talks about how Jews didn't talk much about their experiences, but did compare them internally:Compared to other children in hiding, I don't think my story amounts to much. What happened to me wasn't all that bad, was it? Three years in hiding with the family and all four of us surviving...isn't that splendid?But that's not really how it works at all-that one form of suffering is worse than another. It's not true; it's all a matter of each individual's personal experience, and yet that's how they were handling it: the worst thing was to have been in a camp; next was that of the child from a large family who'd been in hiding and separated from them, and then came back on his or her own; and a situation such as ours, well, that wasn't terribly serious, even we ourselves agreed. And yet, I'd lost three-quarters of my family.Running through the book is a discussion about the role of the Dutch in the Holocaust. They talk about the very high death rate of Jews in the Netherlands (80%), compared to places like Belgium and Denmark. They share stories of the Dutch who risked their own lives to shelter them. And they remark upon the utter lack of emotional or psychological help for them after they were liberated.Less than 200 pages long, this collective memoir is interesting for its insights into Anne Frank's relationships with friends, but even more so for the conversation that Theo Cosner has with his former classmates.

[akreese · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

We All Wore Stars contains accounts of the lives of some of Anne Frank’s classmates during World War II. The stories of the various students and how they survived the war are interesting in their own right, but even more so in the context of Anne Frank’s diary. Reading this book was like sitting in on a conversation at a reunion. You get to read the different recollections of Anne, and find out more about the classmates that she mentions in her diary. It was fun to read their discussions and how their memories of classmates differed from hers. There were poignant moments too, like when one of the classmates reads from a book of poetry inscriptions that the students made, and they read those that were written by students that didn’t survive the war. For those interested in World War II memoirs and the diary of Anne Frank this is a must read.

[cutemcginn · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book is an important part of history. I realized, as I read, that we are very blessed to have Theo Costar and his friends share their stories in such a way. The holocaust is something we must always remember so that history will never be repeated. Even though I thoroughly enjoyed this book the writing style was a tad Elementary. I took into consideration that this book is translated and that will make a difference. Still, the style was very elementary. That shouldn't affect the reading of this book, it was quick, easy, and extremely readable. I definitely recommend that everyone pick up We All Wore Stars especially since it is such an easy and fast read. This book would even be wonderful to teach young adults, teens, and mature children about this period in our history. **I do have to mention, because its been pretty popular in reviews, that this book is not Anne Frank heavy. That's okay with me, I think these stories are important regardless but for those that may care. These are stories about Anne Frank's classmates and while some stories involve her that book is not about Anne Frank. In that way the cover is slightly misleading.

[reb922 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

There are many books written about the Holocaust both fiction and non-fiction. The Diary of Anne Frank is usually the one thing almost everyone has read on the subject even if they have read nothing else. This book took the common starting point for a group of survivors of being classmates of Anne Frank in Amsterdam and through this link shows just how diverse the experiences of the survivors were. I have read a lot on the subject but aside from The Diary of Anne Frank did not know much about the what is was like in the Netherlands. One thing that stuck out the most and was mentioned in almost all or her classmates time references was when they were no longer allowed to own bicycles. If you have ever visited Amsterdam and seen how many bicycles there are in the city it is easy to see why this was one of the main things that they remembered even if they have tried t forget everything else. I highly recommend this book.

[tfs93 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Even though all of those featured in this book were friends with Anne Frank, their own stories are worthy of reading. Anne's childhood schoolmates have their own stories to tell and they are very different in nature. Each child had their own experience, many of the classmates did not make it through the war. Mr. Coster states it very well when he says, "Good fortune and bad luck ought not to play such important roles in one's life. They may be essential to winning a game, but as soon as lives depend on them, there is no justice. That is all too often the case in World War II and in every other war as well, of course." It is wonderful that these schoolmates were able to bring their stories together. I did enjoy the fact that Anne's diary was discussed and her schoolmates commented on how many boys she had said liked her. Isn't that typical of a young girl and totally something she would write in her diary. It just shows you that all of their words ring true.

[abigatewood · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is truly phenomenal. As a child, I read Anne Frank's diary, as most children do, and it sparked a fascination for that dark time in world history. I then read every book I could get my hands on about the Holocaust and convinced my parents take us to the Holocaust museum during a family vacation to Washington, D.C. However, it has been a few years since I have read any books on the subject and I was delighted to get the chance to read this one. Theo Coster does a great job of telling his story and the stories of his classmates. I am very thankful that he decided at eighty years of age to track down his fellow classmates and record their memoirs. The survivors of the Holocaust aren't getting any younger and, unfortunately, will soon just be a memory. I enjoyed reading about how these children survived the war. They were all very lucky and they know it. But, their lives were forever changed. As friends or at least acquaintances of Anne Frank, they are able to provide insight into her personality and life before her time in hiding. Although, I would advise brushing up on Anne Frank's diary before reading this book because there are some points where that would help in understanding their conversations.Even though the documentary that the book is based on is not available in the United States, this book does a great job of telling the story itself. It is an in-depth look into how the documentary came together and the survivors who took part in it. It is very thought-provoking, as it should be, and serves as a warning to future generations that we can't let this happen again.I definitely recommend this book. It has inspired me to learn more and, hopefully, it will inspire you as well.

[susiesharp_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a very thought provoking book, we have all read her book or at least heard of Anne Frank but we’ve never heard about the kids from her class that survived. So many Jewish kids in the Netherlands went into hiding some were fortunate to be taken in with families that took good care of them some had freedom and some had to stay hidden.This was a project that encompassed not only a book but a documentary too, (which I really want to see.) Theo Coster went looking for other classmates that also survived to see how they did it and to talk about Anne what they remembered of her, what was her personality really like and did as many boys have crushes on her as she wrote about in her now famous diary. Some of the survivors did end up in camps and some were in hiding with families risking their lives to help them, some hid in villages in the woods. A couple of the girls even saw Anne in Bergen-Belsen before her death.These stories, as all stories of the Holocaust are so important to tell because the age of survivors is rising and their stories need to be remembered so these atrocities don’t happen again.This book made me search out the documentary which I unfortunately could not find, but I did watch a different one about other hidden children of the Netherlands and the families that helped them are so amazing. But that is what a book like this should do is make you think, make you research and remember so nothing like this ever happens again. It also makes me want to go back and read Anne’s diary which I haven’t read in quite a few years.I think this book should be a companion to The Diary of Anne Frank and any classroom that reads Anne’s diary should read this book along with it to hear from people that did survive to tell their tale.I highly recommend this book.5 StarsI received this book from the Librarything Early Reviewers Program

[ninetiger_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I received this book as part of Library Thing's publisher giveaway.The most compelling reason to read this book is not for the remembrances of Anne Frank by her classmates, although they are interesting and add some information to the Anne Frank canon about her character. Read this book for an experience of a time past through the interrupted childhoods of these classmates. Their experiences with the Nazis clearly shaped, and continues to shape, their lives. The most poignant passages in the book occur when the child that had been suddenly reemerges to speak his/her peace about that horrible time. This transition when it happens is startling and deeply moving. Whether they lived or died, I kept thinking about the children who had the last days of their childhood stolen. MGP

[abi516 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I received this book as part of the early reviewers program and thoroughly enjoyed it. Apparently it accompanies a documentary film also made by the author, which I would very much like to see, however have not been able to track down in the United States.The author tells his story as well as relates the stories, via interview, of several other classmates of Anne Frank. To have first hand accounts of what these individuals experienced and went through during the war, whether it was going into hiding, denying their Jewish heritage, etc, was interesting, shocking, and saddening. All suffered in different ways. Now, as 80-something year olds, they try to remember Anne Frank as well as their own experiences and memories in order to re-confirm that this terrible event in history did, in fact, take place, and in hope of preventing it from happening again.