''Hitler's Daughter'' is a children's novel by Australian children's author

Jackie French Jacqueline Anne French (née Ffrench, born 29 November 1953), known professionally as Jackie French, is an Australian author who has written across several genres for both adults and children. Her most notable works include '' Rain Stones, ...

. It was first published in 1999, and is one of French's most critically acclaimed books.

Synopsis

While waiting for their school bus, a group of children tell stories to pass the time. Mark's friend Anna tells a story about Hitler's secret daughter Heidi, a young girl who was kept hidden to maintain the secret of her identity. The other children are captivated by the story, which Anna tells with great detail and realism. As the children listen to the story about Heidi's life, her relationship with her father, and her increasing awareness of Hitler's evil plans, Mark becomes interested in learning more about the actual history of

Hitler Adolf Hitler (20 April 1889 – 30 April 1945) was an Austrian-born German politician who was the dictator of Nazi Germany from 1933 until Death of Adolf Hitler, his suicide in 1945. Adolf Hitler's rise to power, He rose to power as the lea ...

and

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

, and wonders how he would have acted in Heidi's place. Anna finishes her story with Heidi escaping from the ruins of Berlin and emigrating to Australia, where she grows old and eventually reveals the truth to her granddaughter.

Awards and nominations

* Won - CBCA Children's Book of the Year Award: Younger Readers (2000) * Won - Sanderson Young Adult Audio Book of the Year Awards: Vision Australia Library (2000) * Won - UK National Literacy Association WOW! Award * Won - Semi-Grand Prix Award (Japan) * Won - Notable Book, US Library Association Notable Book * Won - Kids Own Australian Literature Award: Roll of Honour (2007) * Won - Kids Own Australian Literature Award: Roll of Honour (2008) * Shortlisted - Books I Love Best Yearly: Older Readers Award (2001) * Shortlisted - West Australian Young Readers' Book Award (2002) * Shortlisted - Kids Own Australian Literature Award (2002) * Shortlisted - Canberra's Own Outstanding List (2002) * Shortlisted - Young Australian Best Book Award (2002) * Shortlisted - Children's Choice Book Awards: Older Readers * Shortlisted - Young Australian Best Book Award: Fiction for Older Readers (2007) * Shortlisted - Young Australian Best Book Award: Fiction for Older Readers (2008) * Shortlisted - Kids Own Australian Literature Award: Favourite Book of 2008 (2008) * Named a "Blue Ribbon" book by the Bulletin for the Center of Children's Books in the USA (2003) * Admitted to the Kids' Own Australian Literature Awards' Hall of Fame

Adaptations

* ''Hitler's Daughter: The Play'', adapted by Monkey Banana Theatre

References

{{Children's Book of the Year Award for Younger Readers 1999 Australian novels Novels by Jackie French Children's historical novels Australian children's novels Australian historical novels CBCA Children's Book of the Year Award–winning works HarperCollins books 1999 children's books Fiction about refugees and displaced people Children's books set in Germany Children's books set in Australia Cultural depictions of Adolf Hitler