When We Flew Away: A Novel of Anne Frank Before the Diary

Gr 3-7–It’s May 1940, and readers meet 10-year-old Anne Frank and her sister Margot on their walk home from school, while also learning about the rising Nazi influence in Germany that prompted the family to immigrate to Amsterdam when Anne was four. The Franks believed they would be safe in the neutral Netherlands and did not pursue other immigration opportunities while borders were still open to Jewish refugees. Despite neutrality, Nazis invaded the Netherlands, and Anne and her family’s world began to change as Jews lost basic rights. Facts about the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands are presented straightforwardly and simply, and are jarring to read regardless of readers’ familiarity with the Holocaust. Watching Anne and Margot try to navigate their changing world is painful, particularly for readers who are familiar with the Franks’ tragic fate. Equally heartrending is the pain and guilt Anne’s parents feel for not leaving Amsterdam when they had a chance. This ambitious and beautifully written fictionalized prequel of Anne’s life before the Annex allows readers to see her from others’ perspectives. Her spirit and optimism despite the horror around her ring as true in the novel as they do in her diary. Hoffman’s extensive research and work with the Anne Frank House help preserve the family’s story and introduce Anne to a new generation. The book will appeal to strong middle grade readers who enjoy realistic and historical fiction and lends itself to classroom use. Most characters are Jewish and based on real people.