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

"Anne Frank's The Diary of a Young Girl has captivated and inspired readers for decades. Published posthumously by her bereaved father, Anne's journal, written while she and her family were in hiding during World War II, has become one of the central texts of the Jewish experience during the Holocaust, as well as a work of literary genius.

With the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands, the Frank family's life is turned inside out, blow by blow, restriction by restriction. Prejudice, loss, and terror run rampant, and Anne is forced to bear witness as ordinary people become monsters, and children and families are caught up in the inescapable tide of violence.

In the midst of impossible danger, Anne, audacious and creative and fearless, discovers who she truly is. With a wisdom far beyond her years, she will become a writer who will go on to change the world as we know it.

Critically acclaimed author Alice Hoffman weaves a lyrical and heart-wrenching story of the way the world closes in on the Frank family from the moment the Nazis invade the Netherlands until they are forced into hiding, bringing Anne to bold, vivid life.

Based on extensive research and published in cooperation with the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, When We Flew Away is an extraordinary and moving tour de force.

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

Based on extensive research and published in cooperation with the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, When We Flew Away is an extraordinary and moving tour de force.

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

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

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What was Anne Frank's life like before the Nazi invasion? Award-winning author Alice Hoffman reimagines the early years of an irrepressible figure in history through this poignant portrait.

Based on extensive research and published in cooperation with the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, When We Flew Away is an extraordinary and moving tour de force.

Product Details
About the Author

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781420521221
Publisher:	Gale, A Cengage Group
Publication date:	01/22/2025
Edition description:	Large Print
Pages:	322
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Alice Hoffman is the highly acclaimed author of over thirty novels for readers of all ages, including The Dovekeepers, The World That We Knew — winner of the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, The Marriage of Opposites, Practical Magic, Incantation, The Foretelling, and most recently, The Invisible Hour. Her previous novels for Scholastic Press are Aquamarine, which was made into a major motion picture, Indigo, Green Witch, and Green Angel, which Publishers Weekly, in a starred review, called "achingly lovely." She lives outside of Boston.

Hometown:

Boston, Massachusetts

Date of Birth:

March 16, 1952

Place of Birth:

New York, New York

Education:

B.A., Adelphi University, 1973; M.A., Stanford University, 1974

Website:

http://www.alicehoffman.com

From the B&N Reads Blog

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Editorial Reviews

★ 06/24/2024
In collaboration with the Anne Frank House, Hoffman (The Invisible Hour, for adults) presents a thoroughly researched fictionalized account of Anne Frank’s life. Starting in 1940 and leading up to the Nazi invasion of the Netherlands in 1942, the author chronicles the years during which Anne lived happily with her family in Amsterdam. Following the Nazi Party’s takeover of Germany and her family’s subsequent move to the Netherlands, Anne’s biggest concerns involve her mother’s “disapproving when Anne talked too much or acted as if she knew the answers to most questions” and her own insecurities surrounding her older sister’s seeming perfection. But Anne is buoyed by her beloved grandmother and her father’s continual nurturing of her curiosity and creativity. Via lyrical and chatty third-person narration, Hoffman crafts a sympathetic three-dimensional rendering that showcases new facets of a figure whom readers may only know one side of. Depictions of historical events such as Germany’s defeat of the Netherlands heighten the novel’s tense atmosphere. Though the conclusion is inescapable, the moments of joy Anne and her family experience throughout serve to emphasize Anne’s belief that writing “could make people understand you.” Ages 8–12. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

Praise for When We Flew Away:
"Adding new poignance to a story whose ending we already knew, Alice Hoffman has deftly recreated the child Anne Frank with all her wit, mischief, and uncertainties. This fictionalized account of the increasingly desperate years that preceded the famous diary breaks readers' hearts one more time. But it reminds us of how important it is to remember and honor all that was lost." — Lois Lowry, Newbery Award-winning author of Number the Stars
* "Hoffman crafts a sympathetic three-dimensional rendering that showcases new facets of a figure whom readers may only know one side of." —Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Deeply moving and beautifully written." —Kirkus Reviews
"We highly recommend Alice Hoffman's novel of Anne Frank's life... We hope it will persuade young readers that contributing to a better world is both necessary and possible." —Ronald Leopold, Executive Director, Anne Frank House
"The book leaves readers with a poignan and heartrending picture of a young girl who is just beginning to blossom... Hoffman's prose contains the perfect blend of historical reality and gentle fictionalization. Readers will be inspired to learn more about the Holocaust..." —Jewish Book Council
* "Ambitious and beautifully written... A story that needs to be remembered, this works equally well as an introduction to Anne Frank as it does as a fictional supllement to readers already familiar with her diary." —School Library Journal, starred review
Praise for The World That We Knew:
*"A spellbinding portrait of what it means to be human in an inhuman world." — Kirkus Reviews, starred review
*"An exceptionally voiced tale of deepest love and loss... one of [Hoffman's] finest. WWII fiction has glutted the market, but Hoffman's unique brand of magical realism and the beautiful, tender yet devastating way she explores her subject make this a standout." — Booklist, starred review
"One of America's most brilliant novelists since her debut, Property Of, Hoffman uses her signature element of magical realism to tackle an intolerably painful chapter in history. Readers know going in that their hearts will be broken, but they will be unable to let go until the last page." — Library Journal
*"Alice Hoffman's new novel will break your heart, and then stitch it back together piece by piece. It's about love and loss, about history and the world today, about what happens when man goes against the laws of nature for good and for evil. It's my new favorite Hoffman book — and if you know how much I adore her writing, that's truly saying something." — Jodi Picoult, New York Times bestselling author ofSmall Great Things and A Spark of Light.
Praise for Practical Magic:
"Splendid... Practical Magic is one of her best novels, showing on every page her gift for touching ordinary life as if with a wand, to reveal how extraordinary life really is." — Newsweek
"A beautiful, moving book about the power of love and the desires of the heart." — Denver Post
"Written with a light hand and perfect rhythm... Practical Magic has the pace of a fairy tale and the impact of accomplished fiction." — People
"Charmingly told, and a good deal of fun." — The New York Times Book Review
Praise for The Museum of Extraordinary Things:
"Alice Hoffman understands and delivers the ordinary and the extraordinary in this contemporary novel of the past. As always, her powerful, elegant prose embraces tremendous passion with constant, clear-eyed compassion." — Amy Bloom, author of Away
*"Hoffman breathes fiery life into an enrapturing fairy tale and historical fiction mash-up... Hoffman unveils both horror and magic in this transfixing tale of liberation and love in a metropolis of lies, yearning, and metamorphosis."— Donna Seaman, Booklist, starred review
Praise for Aquamarine:
"This spare, haunting novella... is a lovely introduction to the author's storytelling genius and matter-of-fact lyrical style." — The New York Times Book Review
"Hoffman creates an apt metaphor for that twilight time between childhood and adolescence when magic still seems possible and friendships run deep and true." — Publishers Weekly
Praise for Incantation:
"Magical and spellbinding... Painful and exquisitely beautiful." — Lois Lowry, Newbery award-winning author
"Timeless." — Kirkus Reviews
*"Riveting." — School Library Journal, starred review
*"Reads like poetry... This novel stands alone." — Voice Of Youths Advocate, starred review
*"(A) fascinating glimpse of a past civilization." — Publishers Weekly, starred review

From the Publisher

★ 09/01/2024
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 Foundation 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 based on real people; all are white, of European descent, and most are Jewish. VERDICT A story that needs to be remembered, this works equally well as an introduction to Anne Frank as it does as a fictional supplement to readers already familiar with her diary. Adult support of readers' questions and emotional responses to the book may be needed.—Juliet Morefield

School Library Journal

2024-06-15
The story of Anne Frank and her family before the diary that would become an iconic work of the 20th century.
Hoffman imagines the Frank family in Amsterdam—their conversations, feelings, and interactions—during the terrifying time that led up to their hiding and Anne’s writing of her diary, which was published posthumously in 1947. Anchored in historically accurate details, this story portrays Anne as both hopeful and scared, clinging to her girlhood and normality even while her personhood was being systematically stripped away. Hoffman examines Anne’s complex relationships with her mother and older sister, Margot, in heart-wrenching scenes that show them to be typical of many mothers and daughters. Historical information woven into the narrative serves as time stamps as the Franks move ever closer to their life in hiding. This context is helpful for readers and offers a startling reminder of the terror that took over Europe during World War II. Ultimately, Hoffman portrays Anne and Margot as the children they truly were, gripped with fear and telling each other stories for comfort but still eager to go for bike rides, celebrate birthdays, and try to live their lives fully. This novel serves as an insightful companion for Frank’s own diary or as a stand-alone entry into a terrifying and unforgivable time in history.
Deeply moving and beautifully written. (afterword, further reading)(Historical fiction. 9-12)

Kirkus Reviews

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