Zlatas Diary by Zlata Filipovic

This book deals with the life of the young Zlata Filipovic during the Bosnian War. Zlata Filipovic was just 10 years old when she started writing the diary, which she called Mimmy, during the autumn in 1991. Through her own thoughts and feelings, Zlata recorded the events that happened in her life until 1994 (Moses, n.d.).

According to Zlatas writings, she had a happy life at Saravejo with her loving parents. She attended school like many other girls and enjoyed the time with her friends. In 1992 when a civil war erupted in the country between the Bosnian Serb and the Bosnian Croats, Saravejo became affected. Zlata then started to write in her diary the events that happened in her surroundings. Some of her entries include the horrifying events that actually happened at Saravejo. The diary is written with fear and anxiety as well as Zlatas anger and sorrow for the happy life that was hampered by the war (n.d.).

Zlata Filipovic was considered to be the Anne Frank of Saravejo, and the diary contained various descriptions of the events of war from the viewpoint of a child. In the diary, readers can notice how Zlatas tone of voice change as her place is increasingly affected by the violence and crime brought by the war. Zlata and her family were confined at their apartment, spending the days as the war continued to ravage Saravejo. Days have passed and there were no more school and electricity, and the food and water supply were short.

Zlatas Diary accounts historical information during the wartime in Saravejo. From the viewpoint of Zlata, she discussed everything that happened in her surroundings. Although there have been several questions about its authenticity or accuracy, the events that Zlata wrote are based entirely from her experiences when she was confined in their apartment with her family. Since Zlata was only 12 when she began writing the events of war, she can never be questioned of the history accuracy because she was just a child during that time.

There are entries in the diary that describe scenes of violence and horror similar to what the news has told. However, the only difference is that the diary is written in the tone of an innocent girl. In short, the writings in the diary of Zlata are accurate and oversimplified version of the complex war that ravaged Saravejo and hampered the lives of many.

It is clear that Zlatas Diary is written with pure innocence and simpleness, yet with the efforts to tell the truth in the most appropriate way. With regards to social studies, Zlatas Diary is helpful to students since it accounts the events that happened during the Bosnian War that will provide additional learning to social studies students. In addition, students will have a clear image of how life can be during a war, and they will be able to actively participate in discussions, thus, enhancing their social studies skills.