Johanna Reiss facts for kids

Johanna Reiss (born 4 April 1932) is a writer from the Netherlands who also became an American citizen. She writes about her experiences as a Jewish child during World War II. Her books are often compared to the famous diary of Anne Frank.

Early Life and Hiding

Johanna Reiss was born Johanna "Annie" de Leeuw on April 4, 1932. She grew up in Winterswijk, Netherlands, with her two sisters. Her family was Jewish.

During World War II, many Jewish people were in great danger. Johanna and her older sister, Sini, had to hide to stay safe. They hid for three years in the attic of a kind farming family. This family lived in a small village called Usselo.

While they were in hiding, Johanna's mother was in the hospital. She sadly passed away from an illness not related to the war. Her father and oldest sister, Rachel, also had to hide in different places.

Life After the War

After World War II ended, Johanna Reiss finished college. She then worked as an elementary school teacher.

In 1955, she moved to the United States. There, she married Jim Reiss and they had two daughters. Her husband encouraged her to write about her wartime experiences. This led her to write her first book for young adults, The Upstairs Room.

Writing Career and Awards

Johanna Reiss's young adult novel, The Upstairs Room, was published in 1972. The book shares her personal story of hiding during World War II.

This book won many important awards, including:

• A Newbery Honor Book
• An American Library Association Notable Children's Book
• A Jane Addams Peace Association Honor Book
• The National Jewish Book Award
• The Juvenile Book Award
• The Buxtehuder Bulle, a German children's book award

A famous writer, Elie Wiesel, said that The Upstairs Room was "as important in every respect as the one bequeathed to us by Anne Frank."

Because The Upstairs Room was so successful, Johanna Reiss wrote a second book. This sequel, called The Journey Back, was published in 1976. It tells the story of Johanna and her family trying to rebuild their lives after the war.

Sharing Her Story

Johanna Reiss often visits schools in the United States and Europe. She talks to students about her experiences during the Holocaust in the Netherlands. She helps young people understand this important part of history.

In May 2018, the Dutch government honored her for her efforts. She was given the award of Knight of Order of Orange-Nassau. This award recognized her important work in sharing her story.