That is what Anne Frank and her family went through in Anne Franks' diary, The Diary of a Young Girl. When she is forced to grow up, Anne changes from an innocent, carefree schoolgirl, constantly getting into tirades, to a caring young adult. The Frank's life in the Annex is a heaven compared to the life of those outside, and the Annex is not exactly choice housing. Soon, Mr. and Mrs. Van Daan and their son Peter arrive in the Annex. Shortly after, Alfred Dussel joins them. Each character eventually reveals who he/she is really like.

Living in such close quarters results in many quarrels between the families and between the individuals. Family quarrels are usually over food rations. Anne is constantly stuck in the middle of the fights and always gets blamed for everything. She is also always dissatisfied and annoyed with everyone. Anne has given her feelings about everyone in great detail, with no mercy. For example, Alfred Dussel was supposed to be children loving, but he turned out to be an annoying kid-hater who never keeps his promises. Anne is annoyed by his early morning exercises and his constant occupancy of the table in their room. Anne finally learns to live with him and share the table. Mrs. Van Daan always has to have the finest of the foods, and the best of everything, which she accuses Anne of doing. Anne doesn't ever say anything, just takes it in with all the other criticisms. Mrs. Van Daan always tries to fit in with the current mood. For instance, one day she says, "When this war is over, I'm going to have myself baptized." Then the next day, she says, "As long as I can remember, I've wanted to go to Jerusalem. I only feel at home with other Jews" (p. 104).

Mr. Van Daan generally keeps to himself, except in political discussions, where he voices his opinion loudly. Anne hates Mrs. Frank. She can only find fault with Anne, and constantly compares her to Margot. Margot is quiet and sticks to her studies. She is the brains of the Frank family.

Being kept inside for so long forces Anne to find a person with whom to confide her thoughts and feelings. Although Kitty, her diary, has been a good friend, she needs a person. She finds a friend in Peter, the boy who she previously thought to be a lazy pig. Their new friendship causes much tension in the Annex. Everybody thinks that boys shouldn't be friends with girls. Eventually, everybody gets used to the odd pair. Through many scares about being found, laughs, and quarrels, the Annex family sticks together. Despite all of their idiosyncrasies, everybody is changed for the better and grows up throughout the diary.