How do you personally connect to the novel?

I'm not Jewish and I have little direct connection to what transpired during WW2. Still, I understand the context and most everyone should be able to sympathize with Hannah. I couldn't help thinking of Anne Frank's letters which certainly gave me the context of a Jewish girl around Hannah's age in during this time. I can only imagine what it might be like to be persecuted in such a way. Through the characters we get a personal connection, especially with a good writer like Jane Yolen.