The Upstairs Room

The Upstairs Room is a 1972 memoir chronicling the true story of young Annie de Leeuw (Johanna Reiss) during the Nazi occupation of Holland. The narrative follows Annie and her Jewish family as they face increasing danger during World War II. When the situation becomes dire, Annie and her sister Sini must go into hiding, moving between different Dutch families to avoid capture. They eventually find shelter with the Oosterveld family, while their other sister Rachel takes refuge elsewhere. The book documents Annie's experiences living in concealment, including long periods confined to a single upstairs room, as she and her sister wait for the war to end. The story captures both the terror of those years and moments of connection with the brave Dutch citizens who risked their lives to protect Jewish children. This Holocaust memoir explores themes of survival, courage, and the loss of childhood innocence against the backdrop of war. Through Annie's young perspective, it provides insight into both human cruelty and compassion during one of history's darkest periods.

Readers describe this memoir as an accessible introduction to the Holocaust for middle-grade students, noting its less graphic nature compared to other Holocaust literature. Many appreciate how it shows the day-to-day reality of hiding rather than focusing on concentration camps. Readers praised: - The child's perspective that helps young readers connect - Details about daily life in hiding - The bond between the sisters - Historical accuracy and educational value Common criticisms: - Slow pacing in middle sections - Abrupt ending - Limited emotional depth - Some found the writing style basic Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (11,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (300+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 4/5 Multiple teachers report strong engagement from students, with one noting: "My 6th graders connect more with this than Anne Frank's diary." Several parents mentioned reading it first themselves to gauge appropriateness, with most deeming it suitable for ages 10+.

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The Book Thief by Markus Zusak A German girl provides refuge to a Jewish man in her basement while discovering the power of words during World War II.

Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank A Jewish teenager documents her life in hiding during the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam through her personal diary entries.

When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit by Judith Kerr A Jewish family flees Berlin before Hitler's rise to power and faces the challenges of being refugees in Switzerland, France, and England.

The Devil's Arithmetic by Jane Yolen A modern American girl transports to 1942 Poland where she experiences life in a concentration camp firsthand.

🔸 The author, Johanna Reiss, wrote this memoir under her childhood name "Annie de Leeuw" and later returned to Holland with her daughters to revisit the farm where she had hidden during the war. 🔸 During their hiding period (1942-1945), Annie and her sister Sini spent 2 years and 7 months in the upstairs room of a farmhouse belonging to the Oosterveld family in rural Usselo. 🔸 The book won the Jewish Book Council's William Allen White Children's Book Award in 1973 and has been translated into over 10 different languages. 🔸 The Oosterveld sisters, who helped hide Annie and Sini, were later honored as "Righteous Among the Nations" by Yad Vashem, Israel's Holocaust memorial organization. 🔸 Johanna Reiss wrote a sequel called "The Journey Back" that chronicles her return to the Netherlands after the war and her struggle to rebuild her life with her surviving family members.