The Upstairs Room

The Upstairs Room is a poignant historical fiction novel based on author Johanna Reiss's own experiences as a Jewish child in hiding during World War II. It tells the story of Annie and her older sister, Sini, who are forced to live in a small, secret room in a remote Dutch farmhouse to escape Nazi persecution. For over two years, they navigate the challenges of confinement, boredom, fear of discovery, and the emotional toll of their situation. This book offers a deeply personal and accessible look at a difficult period in history, highlighting themes of resilience, family bonds, and the human spirit's capacity to endure.

Based on the author's own life, this is the story of two Jewish girls, Annie (Reiss) and Sini, her eldest sister, during the occupation of Holland under the Nazis in World War II. Confined for over two years in a small, cramped room in a remote farmhouse, in hiding from the Germans, the sisters learn to come to terms with their confinement.