111 pages • 3 hours read
Zlata FilipovićZlata's Diary
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | YA | Published in 1993A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Zlata's Diary by Zlata Filipović traces her life as a child during the Siege of Sarajevo, from 1991 to 1993. Through diary entries, Filipović describes the impact of the Bosnian War on her daily life, the loss and terror experienced, and her resilience maintained through the support of family and friends. The diary gained international recognition, leading to a book deal and her eventual evacuation to Paris. The text depicts graphic violence, forced displacement, catastrophic injury, and suicidal ideation.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Zlata Filipović's Zlata's Diary offers a poignant, child's perspective on the horrors of the Bosnian War. Reviewers praise its authenticity, emotional depth, and educational value, likening it to Anne Frank's diary. However, some note that its simplicity may limit deeper historical insights. Overall, it is a powerful, heartbreaking account of a young girl's resilience.
Who Should Read Zlata's Diary?
A reader who would enjoy Zlata's Diary by Zlata Filipović is likely interested in personal, poignant accounts of historical events, particularly from a child's perspective. Similar to The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank, this book appeals to those captivated by true stories of resilience during conflict and social upheaval.
RecommendedReading Age
10-14yearsLexile Level
640LBook Details
History: European
Military / War
History: World
Emotions/Behavior: Hope
Relationships: Family
Children's Literature
Biography