Behind the Bookcase: Miep Gies, Anne Frank, and the Hiding Place

by Barbara Lowell, Valentina Toro (Illustrator)

Anne Frank’s diary is a gift to the world because of Miep Gies. One of the protectors of the Frank family, Miep recovered the diary after the family was discovered by Nazis, and then returned it to Otto Frank after World War II. Displaced from her own home as a child during World War I, Miep had great empathy for Anne, and she found ways―like talking about Hollywood gossip and fashion trends―to engage her. The story of their relationship―and the impending danger to the family in hiding―unfolds in this unique perspective of Anne Frank’s widely known story.

Genres: Nonfiction, Picture Books, History, Biography, Holocaust, Childrens, World War II

40 pages, Hardcover

Published September 1, 2020

About the author

Barbara Lowell is the author of Sparky & Spike: Charles Schulz and the Wildest, Smartest Dog Ever; Daring Amelia; Alexander Hamilton American Hero and more books for children including: My Mastodon (Spring 2020) and Behind the Bookcase: Miep Gies, Anne Frank and the Hiding Place (Spring 2021)

Reviews

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is children's book about Miep Gies who is the person the helped the Franks family. I read the Anne Frank dairy several times and I loved it. I listened to this book on audiobook, and I am really glad that there is a children's book that is about Anne Frank and Miep Gies. I think this book was written very well. I will be buying this book to put in the Elementary school library that I volunteer at. I think the kids will enjoy this book. I enjoyed the audiobook on this book and the narrator was great and talk so the kids could understand the book. I was kindly provided an e-audiobook of this book by the publisher (Kar-Ben Publishing) or author (Barbara Lowell) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review about how I feel about this book, and I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

[Raymond · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember learning about Anne Frank in school but don't remember Miep Gies or probably simply forgot. I listened to the audiobook version of this book. It's a very straightforward story for children and the narrator has a very soothing voice, easy to listen to.

Thanks to NetGalley, Kar-Ben Publishing, and Barbara Lowell for a free ARC copy in exchange for an honest review. Behind the Bookcase will be released on September 1, 2020.

[Karina · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Thank you to Kar-Ben Publishing (R) and Netgalley for providing me an audiobook in exchange of an honest review.*

Behind the Bookcase: Miep Gies, Anne Frank, and the Hiding Place provides a brief summary of what happened to the Frank family and the Jews in the Netherlands under the Nazi occupation during WWII. It is a very short book. The audiobook is 10 minutes long. Though it was pretty short, I think this could be a good starter to help educate children about this important part in history. This book also provides information about Miep Gies that I haven't read in Anne's diary, and helps us get to know her more, who was one of the people who helped the Frank family. I enjoyed listening to this. The information provided are consistent with what I have read on Anne Frank's diary. I would recommend this for children, especially as a starter to help them be educated on this topic.

[Jamie Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

About Miep Gies, for Children

Audiobook Review:
If you've read The Diary of Anne Frank, then you know some about Miep Gies, who helped hide the Frank family, bringing them food and other necessities and befriending Anne. She is the one who saved Anne Frank's diary after the Germans took the family; she returned it to Mr. Frank, the family’s sole survivor after the Holocaust and WWII. This book is told more like a simple nonfiction book, not a story. In it, we learn about Miep’s early life. She was an immigrant to Holland. The book transitions smoothly into her time with the Franks. She worked for Mr. Frank. When he asked her to help hide his family, she agreed. For two years, she helped provide for the family and keep them safe. If you have a child who knows the story of Anne Frank, whether or not they've read the diary, she or he may appreciate learning a little more about Miep Gies, who sustained the family as best she could and whose foresight allowed for one of the most famous diaries to survive and be brought to the world.

I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.

[Jill H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is meant for parents, teachers, and other people that work with children to read.

This is an easy-to-understand breakdown of Anne Frank's life during the Holocaust that children can read, or have read to them. It goes into some brief history about World War II, how Anne Frank's family was forced into hiding because they were Jewish, a little bit about what their life was like when they were hiding, how they were caught, and how some people in Anne's family died, including her. It concentrates a lot on Miep Gies, someone who helped Anne Frank and her family. It also explains why Anne Frank started her diary and how it got into the right hands to be published.

The illustrations were engaging to me as an adult, so I think they will be even more so to children. They show just how cramped the living conditions were/might have been but they looked grateful to be together, including some more people that came to join them in hiding.

I liked reading in this story that D-Day brought real hope.

I received a digital copy of this book free from the publisher for the purpose of reviewing it.

[Hayley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Behind the Bookcase is a wonderful children's book that further explains at a child's level the life of Anne Frank. It gives a different perspective on what others went through to help keep her family hidden and what happened despite this being successful for a long time. A hard but necessary subject for children but this story does a great job of covering the facts in a fashion that children can understand the severity age appropriately. I would feel comfortable listening to this book with all of my children ages 5-11. It would bring up conversation about the Holocaust and about the occupation not only in Germany but how it spread into other areas of Europe and even into Africa. The author does a great job with facts but also isn't heavy on relying on only facts but also tells the story well.

The narrator does a lovely job reading this audio book and has a pleasant voice to listen to while learning and enjoying this tale.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 out of 5 - If you ask, I'll tell you to read it.

I listened to the audiobook. The narrator was very good. I didn't give it 5 stars, because an illustrated book isn't quite the same in an audiobook format.

Miep Gies was an employee of Otto Frank. She agreed to hide them. Miep kept the family up to date with news and information. Miep wanted to be there for Anne as a young girl on the verge of womanhood.

Miep is the reason we have access to Anne's diary, Kitty. She found it, kept it, and gave it to Otto after the war.

I can't wait to see the physical copy and see the illustrations. This is a great way to start teaching children about Anne Frank before they are able to read her diary.

Thanks to NetGalley and Lerner Audiobooks for this advanced copy.

[Kaitlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so important to share with children. Not only does it introduce kids to Anne Frank, an incredibly important person in our history, but it also teaches kids (as well as parents) about one of the heroes of history, Miep Gies, who risked her life to help the Frank family during the Holocaust. I adored the parallels between Miep and Anne for so many reasons. One, I don’t recall learning about Miep in school, and I love learning something new. Two, it shows why Miep felt so compelled to help. Three, it reminds us that war and atrocities can happen many times in a lifetime and affect so many lives every time. Also, the art is very well done, taking on an eloquent air to underscore this powerful story.

[Goddess of Chaos · Rating 4 out of 5]

A children's book, centering on Miep Gies

Miep Gies was one of the Frank family helpers when they were in hiding for over 2 years during World War II.

This quick read is written for younger readers, as such the author made the decision to use the names that are used in Anne Frank's diary, as opposed to the real names of individuals, which many of us are now familiar with.

This book captures the parts of Miep's life that helped her empathize with the Frank family, and highlights the struggles, as well as bright moments. Anne Frank's ability to recognize the good, find humor, and grow beyond her years is part of what makes her story so widely read, and some of that is captured here as well.

[Aolund · Rating 5 out of 5]

This clearly written book tells the story of Miep Gies, one of the people who assisted the Frank family in going into hiding from the Nazis during WWII, and the person who found and saved Anne Frank's diary and eventually returned it to Anne's father. The story of Miep's own childhood experiences with war is included in a way that maintains the reader's interest and deepens understanding of her connection to the plight of the Frank family. This story, best for an elementary audience, is an inspiring tale of what it really looks like to stand in solidarity with oppressed people by taking direct action.

Themes: Solidarity, Ally-ship, WWII
Age range: 8-13

[Jeimy · Rating 3 out of 5]

At ten minutes long, I was not expecting much from this audiobook, but I did learn one thing: I did not know Miep Gies and her husband (who was part of the Dutch Resistance, had spent one night in the secret annex at Anne's insistence.

I was expecting the book to be more about Mipe Gies because the book's subtitle lists her name first, but it was mostly about the Frank family. My only other criticism is that the ending is too abrupt.

I ended up purchasing a Kindle copy of the book to read along and the illustrations were as somber as one might expect based on the subject matter.

[Maddie Hunt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book because when I was reading the summary it said it talks about Anne Frank. My mom recently went to Amsterdam and saw the Anne Frank house and I was intrigued and wanted to learn more. I think this book was good but it felt a little scrambled. Some of the parts were hard to follow because the main character went back and forth a lot and it was hard for me to understand if she was in danger or if she was safe from the Nazi party. I think it is a good book to introduce children to the holocaust but it could be a little confusing and would require some background knowledge.

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lerner Audiobooks/#NetGalley
Narrator unknown (author?)

A very brief summary of how Miep Gies came to live in the Netherlands and worked to save the Frank family during WWII. After the family is taken to the concentration camps, Miep hid Anne's diary and gave it to Mr. Frank, the only member of the family to survive the camps. The straightforward narration works well, but this story is best for listeners already familiar with Anne Frank's story. Print edition and illustrations unseen.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars This was an interesting short telling about Anne Frank. It would be a good start for young children to learn a a little about her time in the attic. My kids and I listened and we thought it was interesting but would have liked it to be longer and give more information. I’d love to see the pictures as I get printed it would make a wonderful picture book.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

"I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."
This is an interesting addition to Anne Frank's story. It is a short children's work of historical fiction based on the true story of Miep Gies. It was well done and thought provoking.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great version of Anne Frank from a different perspective. Hearing the story from Miep Gies and how she discovered Anne's diary after Anne and her family were discovered was new to me. It was interesting to hear how Miep's family helped Anne's and how she discovered the diary and returned it to Anne's father after the war.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well-told story about Anne Frank and her family who, because of being Jews, when into hiding, and the people who helped them. It was WWII and the Nazis were sending Jews to labour camps and concentration camps.
This is a good introduction for children to the Holocaust. Well illustrated.

[OjoAusana · Rating 5 out of 5]

*received audiobook for free from netgalley for honest review* Great kids book that tho still about anne but also talks about the family that hid them, wish I could see the art work for this book but it as a great audiobook for kids.

[Reyna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very small version of the story.
I listened with my daughter and it gave is a lot to talk about. In this pandemic times it is important to remember there were people who really suffered and was really isolated, it is helpful to be thankful. I would like to listen a longer version.

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A different perspective of the story of Anne Frank. The illustrations convey an unknown and anxious time. Learn about Meip Gies and what she did to help the Frank's. "I want to go on living even after my death" Anne wrote in her diary.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anne Frank's story, through the eyes of Miep Gies. Tells how Miep came to Austria after WWI and was adopted by a Dutch family (it was hard to tell in the story text whether or not this was the Franks -- I thought it was for a bit -- but the back matter makes it clear that it was not).

[Paige Cody · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the sad and true story of Anne Frank during the holocaust. It gives a good sense on what it was like to hide with very little food for years. This would be a good book to introduce students to Anne Frank and her story.

[Alma Morales · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really interesting because it shows a different point of view from the story of Anne Frank. The book is easy to understand for students and gives a brief history of WW2. It also introduces Miep Gies which is often not talked about (helped Anne Frank's family).

[Samantha Li · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great picture book to introduce young children to Anne Frank and Miep Gies' heroism. This was more of a short nonfiction book than a story. With that in mind, I wished some words were explained a bit more.

[Jacquie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, this is a child's book, but Anne Frank stuff has been a favorite of mine for a while so I figured I would check it out. It has a good illustration along with the story. If wanting to indroduce a child to the Anne Frank story this would be a nice story to start with.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short prequel, if you will, to Anne Frank's Diary. Simple for children to understand what happened to Anne.

[Robin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Simplified retelling if the story of Miep Gies and her aid in hiding the Frank family and other Jews. Well done.

[Jillian Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great picture book to introduce students to Anne Frank and the Holocaust. Simple text and illustrations make this accessible to many readers.

[Stacia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely also read the Author’s Note at the end.

[Shaundell Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet story giving background information about Meip, the woman who helped to hide Anne Frank and her family.