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'Kids need Hope Right Now': Brad Meltzer adds Anne Frank, Benjamin Franklin to kids book series

There are two new additions to a series of popular children’s books that teach kids about important figures in history.

"I Am Anne Frank" and "I Am Benjamin Franklin" join stories about Amelia Earhart, Abraham Lincoln, Rosa Parks, Jackie Robinson and others. The books are written by New York Times best-selling author Brad Meltzer, who’s also written thrillers and other fiction and hosted TV shows.

Meltzer said the "I Am" series came about because he wanted to give his kids better heroes to look up to — those with compassion, kindness and character. 

The Show talked with Meltzer about how he picked Anne Frank and Benjamin Franklin to be the subjects of his newest books.

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Mark Brodie is a co-host of The Show, KJZZ’s locally produced news magazine. Since starting at KJZZ in 2002, Brodie has been a host, reporter and producer, including several years covering the Arizona Legislature, based at the Capitol.