Johanna Reiss facts for kids

Johanna Reiss, born on April 4, 1932, is a writer from the Netherlands who later became an American citizen. She is famous for writing about her experiences as a Jewish child during World War II. Her books share important stories about the Holocaust. Many people compare her writing to that of Anne Frank.

Early Life and Survival

Growing Up in the Netherlands

Johanna Reiss was born Johanna "Annie" de Leeuw on April 4, 1932. She grew up in Winterswijk, a town in the Netherlands. She was one of three sisters in a Jewish family.

Hiding During the Holocaust

During the Holocaust, Johanna and her older sister Sini had to hide. The Holocaust was a terrible time when millions of Jewish people were persecuted. For three years, they hid in the attic of a kind farming family. This family, Johan and Dientje Oosterveld, and Johan's mother, Opoe, lived in the village of Usselo. Johanna's mother was in the hospital and passed away from other causes. Her father and oldest sister, Rachel, also hid separately.

Life After the War

After World War II ended, Johanna graduated from college. She then worked as an elementary school teacher. In 1955, she moved to the United States. There, she married Jim Reiss and they raised two daughters. Her husband encouraged her to write about her wartime experiences. This led to her famous young adult novel, The Upstairs Room.

Writing and Recognition

The Upstairs Room

Johanna Reiss's young adult novel, The Upstairs Room, was published in 1972. This book tells the story of her experiences during World War II. It quickly became very popular and won several important awards. These awards included a Newbery Honor Book, which is a big award for children's literature. It was also named an American Library Association Notable Children's Book. Other awards included a Jane Addams Peace Association Honor Book and the National Jewish Book Award. It also won the Juvenile Book Award and the Buxtehuder Bulle, a German children's book award. The famous writer Elie Wiesel said that The Upstairs Room was "as important in every respect as the one bequeathed to us by Anne Frank."

The Journey Back

Because The Upstairs Room was so successful, Johanna Reiss wrote a sequel. This second book, called The Journey Back, came out in 1976. It continues her story, focusing on how she and her family tried to rebuild their lives after the war.

A Hidden Life

In 2009, Reiss wrote another book called A Hidden Life. This book is a memoir, which means it's a true story about her own life. It shares more of her childhood memories.

Sharing Her Story

Johanna Reiss often visits schools in both the United States and Europe. She talks to students about her experiences during the Holocaust in the Netherlands. Her efforts to share her story are very important. In May 2018, the Dutch government honored her. She received the Knight of Order of Orange-Nassau award for her valuable work.