Behind the Bookcase

Miep Gies, Anne Frank, and the Hiding Place

  • Interest Level: Grade 2 - Grade 5
  • Reading Level: Grade 2

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.

“A historically accurate but relatively gentle introduction to the Holocaust for elementary-age readers.”—Miriam Aronin, Booklist

“Author and illus­tra­tor do not deny Miep Gies’s extra­or­di­nary hero­ism but frame it as a nat­ur­al response to the events of her life and the depth of her emo­tion­al involve­ment in her Jew­ish com­pa­tri­ots’ tragedy.”—Emily Schneider, Jewish Book Council

“A solid, additional title that can serve as an introduction to Holocaust literature.”—Kathleen Isaacs, School Library Journal

Format Your Price Add
978-1-5415-5726-0
$7.99
978-1-7284-0546-9
$22.99
978-1-7284-1193-4
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978-1-7284-1194-1
$6.99
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Interest Level Grade 2 - Grade 5
Reading Level Grade 2
Genre Social Studies
Category 5 Kinds of Nonfiction, 5KN: Narrative Nonfiction, Diverse Books: Social Justice, Diversity, SEL: C Social Awareness, SEL: D Relationship Skills, SEL: E Responsible Decision-Making, Social Emotional Learning
Copyright 2020
Publisher Lerner Publishing Group
Imprint Kar-Ben Publishing ®
Language English
Number of Pages 40
Publication Date 2020-09-01
Text Type Narrative Nonfiction
BISACS JNF007120, JNF025090, JNF007020
Dewey 940.53/18092 [B]
Dimensions 9.25 x 11
Lexile 610
Features Author/Illustrator biography, Author/Illustrator note, Reviewed, Teaching Guides, and eSource

Author: Barbara Lowell

Barbara Lowell is the author of several books for children, including Sparky & Spike: Charles Schulz and the Wildest, Smartest Dog Ever. Barbara lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Illustrator: Valentina Toro

Valentina Toro is a graphic designer and children’s book illustrator, with an MA in Creative Writing. Valentina has written several children’s books in Colombia and has worked with authors from all over the world. She lives in Colombia.

Lerner eSource™ offers free digital teaching and learning resources, including Common Core State Standards (CCSS) teaching guides. These guides, created by classroom teachers, offer short lessons and writing exercises that give students specific instruction and practice using Common Core skills and strategies. Lerner eSource also provides additional resources including online activities, downloadable/printable graphic organizers, and additional educational materials that would also support Common Core instruction. Download, share, pin, print, and save as many of these free resources as you like!

Behind the Bookcase

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… View available downloads →

Reviews

Midwest Book Review

“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.” — James A. Cox, Midwest Book Review

Jewish Book Council

“Author and illus­tra­tor do not deny Miep Gies’s extra­or­di­nary hero­ism but frame it as a nat­ur­al response to the events of her life and the depth of her emo­tion­al involve­ment in her Jew­ish com­pa­tri­ots’ tragedy.” — Emily Schneider, Jewish Book Council

AJL Newsletter

“The illustration sometimes complements the text with greater nuance, often using a muted palette vis-à-vis the red of the Nazi flags. This book about Miep Gies joins those about Irena Sendler and Janusz Korczak in helping youngsters understand the acts of rescuers and their difficult decisions.” — Barbara Krasner, former member, Sydney Taylor Book Award Committee, Somerset, NJ, AJL

School Library Journal

“A solid, additional title that can serve as an introduction to Holocaust literature.” – Kathleen Isaacs, Children’s ­Literature Specialist, Pasadena, MD

Publishers Weekly

Best suited for those already familiar with Frank’s story; includes an author’s note, bibliography, and further reading." — Publishers Weekly

Booklist

“A historically accurate but relatively gentle introduction to the Holocaust for elementary-age readers.” — Miriam Aronin, Booklist

Kirkus Reviews

“The book focuses in particular on Miep Gies, the gentile woman who helped them and then found the diary, and some of the details about her childhood are startling.” — Kirkus Reviews