Explore Courage and Survival with The Upstairs Room – A Must-Have for Every Classroom
From Teacher’s Pet Publications
If you're searching for a book that brings World War II history to life through a personal, emotional lens, The Upstairs Room by Johanna Reiss is a powerful choice for your classroom. This award-winning autobiographical novel tells the story of a young Jewish girl who hides from the Nazis during the Holocaust and offers students a deeply human and relatable connection to one of the darkest times in world history.
At Teacher’s Pet Publications, we believe literature should both educate and inspire. That’s why we provide comprehensive teaching resources for impactful titles like The Upstairs Room—to help you spark meaningful conversations in the classroom, promote empathy, and make history real for your students.
In this blog, you’ll discover why The Upstairs Room is a vital part of any middle school or high school reading list, and how our ready-to-use lesson plans, quizzes, and teaching guides can help bring this story to life.
? What Is The Upstairs Room About?
The Upstairs Room is a memoir-style novel that recounts Johanna Reiss’s own childhood experience hiding from the Nazis during World War II. At just ten years old, Johanna—referred to as Annie in the book—goes into hiding with her sister in the upstairs room of a remote farmhouse in the Netherlands.
Separated from her family and surrounded by danger, Annie struggles with fear, isolation, and the burden of staying silent for years. Yet through her hardships, she discovers courage, resilience, and the kindness of strangers who risked everything to save her life.
This is not just a war story—it’s a story about growing up in extraordinary circumstances, about bravery and loss, and about finding hope in the darkest places.
? Why The Upstairs Room Is Essential for Classrooms
Educators consistently rank The Upstairs Room as one of the most valuable historical fiction books for students aged 10–16, and it’s easy to see why. Here’s what makes this book a standout in any curriculum:
1. Historical Relevance
This book offers a personal perspective on the Holocaust, giving students insight into the lived experience of Jewish children during WWII. It humanizes the statistics and teaches history in a way that students can relate to emotionally.
2. Moral and Ethical Exploration
Themes like bravery, moral courage, and sacrifice provide rich material for class discussions. It helps students understand the importance of standing up for what’s right, even when it’s hard or dangerous.
3. Critical Thinking Development
The novel invites students to think critically about identity, oppression, and justice. They’ll question what it means to be a bystander vs. an upstander and analyze character motivations and historical decisions.
4. Reading Comprehension and Literacy
Johanna Reiss’s writing is both accessible and poetic. It challenges students with rich vocabulary, authentic dialogue, and nuanced storytelling—perfect for developing comprehension and analytical skills.
? Teaching The Upstairs Room with Teacher’s Pet Publications
When you purchase The Upstairs Room from Teacher’s Pet Publications, you get far more than a book—you receive a full literature unit that simplifies your lesson planning and deepens your students' learning experience.
Our Complete Literature Package Includes:
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? A class copy of The Upstairs Room
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?? Comprehensive daily lesson plans
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? Chapter-by-chapter reading questions and activities
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✍️ Essay prompts, short answer questions, and discussion starters
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? Vocabulary exercises and literary device identification
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✅ Quizzes, unit tests, and answer keys
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? Editable files for Google Classroom or print handouts
All materials are aligned with Common Core ELA Standards and suitable for Grades 6 through 10.
? Key Themes Explored in The Upstairs Room
?️ Isolation and Fear
Annie’s time in hiding is filled with long stretches of silence, loneliness, and the fear of discovery. These themes resonate with students, especially in today's world where isolation (like during the COVID-19 pandemic) is something they can now relate to on some level.
? The Human Side of History
Rather than focusing on battles and politics, this story reveals the everyday life of a child living through war. This helps students make emotional connections and better understand the true impact of history on individuals.
✊ Bravery and Resistance
The courage of the Dutch family who hid Annie is a reminder of the moral choices people face in times of injustice. This opens the door for discussions on heroism, resistance, and ethical decision-making.
? Identity and Growth
As Annie matures during her time in hiding, she also questions her Jewish identity, her connection to family, and her place in the world. These are relatable issues for students in middle and high school.
✏️ Engaging Activities from Our Teaching Guide
Our The Upstairs Room resource pack includes a variety of projects and activities designed to promote creativity, empathy, and comprehension:
1. Holocaust Research Project
Students research real-life stories of children who survived the Holocaust, then present their findings in a slideshow or journal-style format.
2. Diary Entry Writing
Encourage students to write a diary entry from Annie’s point of view. This helps them explore character perspective and emotional development.
3. Role Play Discussions
Hold a mock town hall where students take on the roles of different characters (or citizens during WWII) to discuss moral decisions in a time of war.
4. Comparative Literature
Pair The Upstairs Room with another Holocaust memoir, like Anne Frank’s diary, and have students compare and contrast the experiences and literary styles.
?? Who Should Use This Book?
The Upstairs Room is appropriate for:
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? English Language Arts teachers
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? Homeschooling parents
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? Middle and high school curriculum coordinators
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? Holocaust studies and social studies teachers
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? Charter and private schools looking to expand historical fiction offerings
? Why Buy from Teacher’s Pet Publications?
✅ Trusted by Educators for Over 30 Years
At Teacher’s Pet Publications, we’re more than a bookstore—we’re your partner in powerful, purposeful education. Our resources are:
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? Fully customizable for your needs
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?? Created by experienced educators
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? Aligned with curriculum standards
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? Delivered fast with bulk options available
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? Supported by a responsive customer service team
Whether you're ordering for one student or an entire district, we make it simple to teach with confidence and creativity.
? What Teachers Are Saying
“The Upstairs Room brought history to life for my students. They were emotionally invested from start to finish—and the Teacher’s Pet lesson plans made it easy for me to manage everything.”
— Mrs. Keating, 8th Grade Teacher, California
“This book is a game-changer. My students couldn’t stop talking about Annie’s story. It’s real, raw, and powerful. I highly recommend this unit to any middle school classroom.”
— Mr. Allen, Literacy Coach, New York
? Final Thoughts: History, Humanity, and Hope in One Book
The Upstairs Room is more than just a historical fiction novel—it’s a deeply moving, educational journey that brings the past into the present and helps students develop a deeper sense of empathy and understanding.
When paired with Teacher’s Pet Publications' comprehensive teaching tools, this book becomes a classroom experience that students will never forget.
? Order The Upstairs Room Today
Don’t miss the opportunity to introduce this unforgettable story to your students.
? Click here to order The Upstairs Room from Teacher’s Pet Publications
Make literature meaningful. Make history human. Start with The Upstairs Room.