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Anna Is Still Here
With the end of World War II, Anna, a young Dutch Jew who had been in hiding during the Nazi occupation, can safely emerge from concealment, but she experiences great difficulty in adjusting once again to a normal life.
139 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1993
4 people are currently reading
220 people want to read
About the author
Ida Vos
12 books4 followersIda Vos (maiden name Gudema) (December 13, 1931 – April 3, 2006) was a Dutch author. She wrote books for adults and children. In most of her books, Vos wrote about her experiences as a Jewish girl during the Second World War. Her best-known book was Wie niet weg is wordt gezien (published in English as Hide and Seek), which was awarded with a Dutch literature prize for children's books in 1982.
From 1936, Vos and her family lived in Rotterdam. In Rotterdam, she experienced the German bombardment of the city in May 1940, after which her family moved to Rijswijk (near The Hague). In 1943 the Gudema family went into hiding. Vos and her sister Elly were separated from their parents during this period (relating to her book Hide and Seek).
After the war Vos became a kindergarten teacher. She married in 1956, and had three children. During the 1970s she was admitted to a hospital due to her war traumas. This led to writing about her experiences, first as poems, but soon in the shape of stories and - eventually - children's books. Central in her work was the infringement on her freedom by the Nazi occupiers and the time she spent in hiding.
Vos died on April 3, 2006 in Amstelveen at 74.
From 1936, Vos and her family lived in Rotterdam. In Rotterdam, she experienced the German bombardment of the city in May 1940, after which her family moved to Rijswijk (near The Hague). In 1943 the Gudema family went into hiding. Vos and her sister Elly were separated from their parents during this period (relating to her book Hide and Seek).
After the war Vos became a kindergarten teacher. She married in 1956, and had three children. During the 1970s she was admitted to a hospital due to her war traumas. This led to writing about her experiences, first as poems, but soon in the shape of stories and - eventually - children's books. Central in her work was the infringement on her freedom by the Nazi occupiers and the time she spent in hiding.
Vos died on April 3, 2006 in Amstelveen at 74.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
April 16, 2015
This book is about a girl who is in hiding from the Nazis.
I loved when Anna decides to help find Fannie. I also liked how Fannie is found and she was going to be taken to her real mom. I learned that people changed their names when they were in hiding.
The Nazis took away so many things from the Jews during world war 2.
I loved when Anna decides to help find Fannie. I also liked how Fannie is found and she was going to be taken to her real mom. I learned that people changed their names when they were in hiding.
The Nazis took away so many things from the Jews during world war 2.
August 13, 2017
Sigh...and the Summer Curse continues.
Even aside from the bland writing and unimpressive plot, it still would've been an okay story if Anna hadn't become so unlikeable by the end of it. The way she bullied that poor innocent boy, Stefan, was disgusting. And not much is said about it. This isn't the first time in fiction (and I certainly see it a lot in real life) where the oppressed/marginalized person gets away with shitting on an innocent person that had zero and fuck all to do with what they went through. I find myself sympathizing more with the demonized than the oppressed these days. I found at the end of the book that I was more interested in hearing Stefan's story than Anna's.
Read Anne Frank instead. It may be sadder, but it is more well-written, more poignant, and frankly has better people in it.
Even aside from the bland writing and unimpressive plot, it still would've been an okay story if Anna hadn't become so unlikeable by the end of it. The way she bullied that poor innocent boy, Stefan, was disgusting. And not much is said about it. This isn't the first time in fiction (and I certainly see it a lot in real life) where the oppressed/marginalized person gets away with shitting on an innocent person that had zero and fuck all to do with what they went through. I find myself sympathizing more with the demonized than the oppressed these days. I found at the end of the book that I was more interested in hearing Stefan's story than Anna's.
Read Anne Frank instead. It may be sadder, but it is more well-written, more poignant, and frankly has better people in it.
May 5, 2017
This is a story about the aftermath of the Holocaust. I have read many books, both written for children and for adults, about the Holocaust, but few about what the the survivors faced in trying to piece their lives back together. I appreciate this book for that reason. The story starts out in fear and despair and ends in renewal and hope.
October 31, 2018
The book Anna is still here by Ida Vos is a great book one of my favorites it’s a very sad book. This book talks about a girl named Anna who hid in an attic for 3 years in world war 2. She's is still trying to get over the trauma that world war 2 caused her to have. This book has 139 pages. I would recommend this book if you like sad/drama/ realistic fiction books.
March 29, 2019
The narrative was a little choppy, and perspective a little inconsistent from time to time, but then, wouldn't Anna's brain patterning be as such with what she went through, hiding upstairs, separated from her parents and all those she knows and loves? A good read, full of sadness, but hope, too.
March 22, 2023
Ida Vos writes such revealing books about a child's view of the Holocaust that you realize that she must have experienced it herself. I have read several of her books now and think I like this one the best.
July 13, 2018
Very educational but not necessarily appropriate for the age level
August 5, 2020
I enjoyed this unusual look at the recovery from WWII and being in hiding. Some parts seemed awkward, perhaps due to the translation, or to the disjointed style, which wasn't quite for me.
September 14, 2020
I like this book and I wnt read this book
January 26, 2023
I read this book a long time ago. I don't remember much of what happened. The premise was interesting, it really opened my eyes to what life might have looked like for survivors.
September 26, 2025
Interesting view in this story, the after math of a terrible time in history. It was a hard one to read.
January 9, 2024
Anna is een Joods meisje die drie jaar lang was ondergedoken. Ze heeft nu nog veel traumas. Maar ze is slim en veerkrachtig. Ze helpt haar buurvrouw, Mevrouw Neumann om haar dochter te vinden. Ik ben blij dat het einde van het verhaal gelukkig was.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 19, 2018
Most WW2 books I read take place during the war, but this one had the unique premise of taking place after the war, and the lingering effects it still has on everyone. War is not something that just goes away once it's over.
October 9, 2023
I thought the concept was good, and maybe it was just the translation that was rough, but I didn't enjoy this book as much as I thought I would. I passed it on to a Little Free Library.
Content:
Anna has a lot of trauma to work through. Occasional language.
Content:
Anna has a lot of trauma to work through. Occasional language.
December 11, 2020
Anna is a Dutch Jewish girl who spent the Holocaust years hiding in an attic. She struggles to rehabilitate in postwar Holland, where she can now live out in the open yet remains fearful and haunted.
The author subtly reveals the tensions and hints at the underlying guilt among the Gentile population in the aftermath of Occupation, some of whom collaborated with the Germans, others of whom suffered. Toward the Jews they are either obsequious or defensive. She also reveals the numbness and disorientation of the Jewish survivors. Little by little we share Anna's feelings of misplacement: having been denied years of formal education, she now attends a classroom full of younger and lower-grade students. There she watches them taunt a boy whose father had been a Nazi. Her parents, who survived the camps, whisper of friends and neighbors lost. In their overprotectiveness, they try to shelter her from the harrowing details.
Anna befriends an elegant neighbor, who she later learns had lived under an "Aryan" alias during the war. This woman is first seen as peculiar -- she continually wears the same dress, over and over. We later learn it was the dress she had worn on the day her daughter Fannie was taken away during a deportation the mother had managed to elude. Obsessively the mother checks for names of survivors and awaits Fannie's return. They do reunite, thanks to Anna's efforts, so the book ends with a kind of redemptive power. There is a sense that Anna will eventually heal and finally see the good in the world.
Beautifully written, this book exposes young readers to the tragic ordeal of the Dutch Jews, the most famous of whom was Anne Frank, and the lingering effects of genocide. Hopefully it will inspire other writers of young adult fiction.
The author subtly reveals the tensions and hints at the underlying guilt among the Gentile population in the aftermath of Occupation, some of whom collaborated with the Germans, others of whom suffered. Toward the Jews they are either obsequious or defensive. She also reveals the numbness and disorientation of the Jewish survivors. Little by little we share Anna's feelings of misplacement: having been denied years of formal education, she now attends a classroom full of younger and lower-grade students. There she watches them taunt a boy whose father had been a Nazi. Her parents, who survived the camps, whisper of friends and neighbors lost. In their overprotectiveness, they try to shelter her from the harrowing details.
Anna befriends an elegant neighbor, who she later learns had lived under an "Aryan" alias during the war. This woman is first seen as peculiar -- she continually wears the same dress, over and over. We later learn it was the dress she had worn on the day her daughter Fannie was taken away during a deportation the mother had managed to elude. Obsessively the mother checks for names of survivors and awaits Fannie's return. They do reunite, thanks to Anna's efforts, so the book ends with a kind of redemptive power. There is a sense that Anna will eventually heal and finally see the good in the world.
Beautifully written, this book exposes young readers to the tragic ordeal of the Dutch Jews, the most famous of whom was Anne Frank, and the lingering effects of genocide. Hopefully it will inspire other writers of young adult fiction.
February 17, 2017
This slim novel engages readers with a variety of characters whose lives were severely altered by the Nazi persecution of the Jews. In this case, it is Netherlands, post-WWII, and the young girl Anna carries the story while probing and weaving the stories of others into her post-war traumatic stress. As a read aloud it would work well as mentor text for sustaining story elements NOT delivered in chronological order, for flashbacks, confused/unreliable narrators, and character development.
June 7, 2010
This is poignant novel that is an important story. It follows Anna Markus, a 13 year old Dutch Jewish girl. Holland has just been liberated from the Nazis. This novel explores the emotional and physical struggles of a young girl, along with her Jewish community, trying to regain a place in society after World War II.
Anna has been in hiding from the Nazis for three years. Kiki, her imaginary friend, is her only companion. She has missed three years of school and is the tallest person in her class. Both of her parents are still alive, but they have spent time in the camps and are dealing with their own horrors. Anna's father refuses to have any pictures of dead relatives in the house, including his other daughter Marga. He only wants to think about the future, never the past.
Anna meets Mrs. Neumann, who she at first confuses with a Nazi because she changed her name to German during the war. Anna is the spitting image of her lost daughter Fannie, including a birthmark on her forehead. Anna tries to help Mrs. Neumann find her daughter and in the end, she succeeds. Finding her at the puppet show within the amusement park.
The text covers many important topics within the time period. A glimpse of the lengths the resistance had to go to maintain secrecy: never using real names, multiple drop points and the costumes people wore in order to deceive the Nazis. Jews were not allowed to go to school with non-Jewish kids and were only allowed to shop between 3 and 5 pm, when the most of good stuff (fresh bread, milk) would be gone. As a further insult, the Star of David they are required to wear contains phony Hebrew letters. After Anna's family goes into hiding, the German's plunder their house and send all of their belongings to Germany.
Anna has been in hiding from the Nazis for three years. Kiki, her imaginary friend, is her only companion. She has missed three years of school and is the tallest person in her class. Both of her parents are still alive, but they have spent time in the camps and are dealing with their own horrors. Anna's father refuses to have any pictures of dead relatives in the house, including his other daughter Marga. He only wants to think about the future, never the past.
Anna meets Mrs. Neumann, who she at first confuses with a Nazi because she changed her name to German during the war. Anna is the spitting image of her lost daughter Fannie, including a birthmark on her forehead. Anna tries to help Mrs. Neumann find her daughter and in the end, she succeeds. Finding her at the puppet show within the amusement park.
The text covers many important topics within the time period. A glimpse of the lengths the resistance had to go to maintain secrecy: never using real names, multiple drop points and the costumes people wore in order to deceive the Nazis. Jews were not allowed to go to school with non-Jewish kids and were only allowed to shop between 3 and 5 pm, when the most of good stuff (fresh bread, milk) would be gone. As a further insult, the Star of David they are required to wear contains phony Hebrew letters. After Anna's family goes into hiding, the German's plunder their house and send all of their belongings to Germany.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 30, 2010
Thirteen year old Anna is facing difficulties in the real world, because she was mentally abused from the war, and hiding from Nazis. She has to recover from all the hard times of being alone to being disrespected as a person. Her father, even has troubles of his own. Her mother and Anna talk about how her father doesn't like pictures of passed away people from the war.
Anna sees this house that scares her, because she thinks the owner is a Nazi. Anna is wrong about this house, and throughout this story she meets the actual owner, and they become friends. This house owner in the end becomes true to listening to Anna. Facing her own troubles, the house owner had 2 people go into hiding to. They can relate between each other, and both become very attentive and caring for each other.
--------------------------------------------
after the Holocaust
Anna has struggles living the regular life because she hasn't lived one for a while. Kept in a room by herself, voice kept at a whisper.. She doesn't know how to talk loud afterward, so her dad teaches her that its okay now. Many adjustments have to be made, and even still dealing with people who are putting her down because she is Jewish. The hatred she has for unsightly people. People who don't see, nor get the fact that she is human who doesn't need a label, but needs and deserves a regular life. Her parents wont, and don't plan to tell stories about the war. Nor does her father want to see pictures of people who have been killed. I guess this is one way to forget it all...
March 13, 2013
I read this as part of my final project I am doing for Children's Literature, the topic is the Holocaust as presented in Children's Lit. This book falls in the early chapter book area, no pictures, all text but no overly hard words. However, if you let the simple reading level stop you from reading this I think you will be missing out on a powerful story.
Anna lives in Holland. She was in hiding for 3 years during the Nazi occupation. She was alone, except for Kiki, her imaginary friend. She had visits from the kind music teacher hiding her, but she was mostly alone. Now she is free and reunited with her parents and back in school. Anna is learning to live outside the attic she hid in, she is learning to trust and feel safe and with the help of her loving father she is finding her voice.
At one point her father shouts out "Rotten Nazis! Look what you've done to my child!" This is the heart of the story, what was done not only to Anna but to an entire group of people. Anna Is Still Here is told in a child's voice and in a very matter of fact and simple way that belies its power and beauty.
Anna lives in Holland. She was in hiding for 3 years during the Nazi occupation. She was alone, except for Kiki, her imaginary friend. She had visits from the kind music teacher hiding her, but she was mostly alone. Now she is free and reunited with her parents and back in school. Anna is learning to live outside the attic she hid in, she is learning to trust and feel safe and with the help of her loving father she is finding her voice.
At one point her father shouts out "Rotten Nazis! Look what you've done to my child!" This is the heart of the story, what was done not only to Anna but to an entire group of people. Anna Is Still Here is told in a child's voice and in a very matter of fact and simple way that belies its power and beauty.
September 15, 2010
What I Learned:
My Review:
after the Holocaust
There are so many people out there with struggles of their own, some cant even help. They cant help that they were born jewish, or whatever makes them different from their haters. No matter what they overcome, there will always be after affects, thoughts, fears, and adjustment troulbes.
My Review:
after the Holocaust
Anna has struggles living the regular life because she hasnt lived one for a while. Kept in a room by herself, voice kept at a whisper.. She doesn't know how to talk loud afterwards, so her dad teaches her that its okay now. Many adjustments have to be made, and even still dealing with people who are putting her down because she is jewish. The hatred she has for unsightful people. People who dont see, nor get the fact that she is human who doesn't need a lable, but needs and deserves a regular life. Her parents wont, and dont plan to tell sotries about the war. Nor does her father want to see pictures of people who have been killed. I guess this is one way to forget it all...
March 12, 2013
** spoiler alert ** gr 5-8
1945 Holland. The war is finally over and Anna is finally reunited with her parents. 13 year old Anna spent 3 years in hiding alone and finds it hard to adjust to being back with her parents, going to school. When she meets Mrs. Neumann, at first she is convinced she is a Nazi. Anna learns that like her Mrs. Neumann was forced to hide during the war. Mrs. Neumann is waiting for word of what happened to her husband Max and her daughter Fannie.
The story focused on the relationship between on the relationship between Anna and Mrs. Neumann. Unlike Anna's parents, Mrs. Neumann and Anna needed to share their stories with someone.
I would recommend this story to readers who want to know more about what happened to people who were able to come out of hiding when WWII ended
1945 Holland. The war is finally over and Anna is finally reunited with her parents. 13 year old Anna spent 3 years in hiding alone and finds it hard to adjust to being back with her parents, going to school. When she meets Mrs. Neumann, at first she is convinced she is a Nazi. Anna learns that like her Mrs. Neumann was forced to hide during the war. Mrs. Neumann is waiting for word of what happened to her husband Max and her daughter Fannie.
The story focused on the relationship between on the relationship between Anna and Mrs. Neumann. Unlike Anna's parents, Mrs. Neumann and Anna needed to share their stories with someone.
I would recommend this story to readers who want to know more about what happened to people who were able to come out of hiding when WWII ended
March 10, 2013
gr 5-8
1945 Holland. The war is finally over and Anna is finally reunited with her parents. 13 year old Anna spent 3 years in hiding alone and finds it hard to adjust to being back with her parents, going to school. When she meets Mrs. Neumann, at first she is convinced she is a Nazi. Anna learns that like her Mrs. Neumann was forced to hide during the war. Mrs. Neumann is waiting for word of what happened to her husband Max and her daughter Fannie.
The story focused on the relationship between Anna and Mrs. Neumann. Unlike Anna's parents, Mrs. Neumann and Anna needed to share their stories with someone. I would recommend this story to readers who want to know more about what happened to people who were able to come out of hiding when WWII ended.
1945 Holland. The war is finally over and Anna is finally reunited with her parents. 13 year old Anna spent 3 years in hiding alone and finds it hard to adjust to being back with her parents, going to school. When she meets Mrs. Neumann, at first she is convinced she is a Nazi. Anna learns that like her Mrs. Neumann was forced to hide during the war. Mrs. Neumann is waiting for word of what happened to her husband Max and her daughter Fannie.
The story focused on the relationship between Anna and Mrs. Neumann. Unlike Anna's parents, Mrs. Neumann and Anna needed to share their stories with someone. I would recommend this story to readers who want to know more about what happened to people who were able to come out of hiding when WWII ended.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2017
Anna is Still Here is written by Ida Vos. The main characters are Anna Markus and her neighbor Mrs.Neumann. This book's setting is in Holland when World War II ends. After Anna has been in hiding for three years during the war, she finally sees her parents. Anna's mother and father will not tell Anna many things, so she get's upset and goes on a walk. She finds Mrs.Neumann's house and they become good friends. Then Anna finds out that Mrs.Neumann has a daughter Fannie, that looks like Anna. Fannie is somewhere in Holland, lost! Will they find Fannie now that they police have stopped looking for her?
May 23, 2009
OK, y'all know how I overdosed on Holocaust lit a looong time ago. But I still find poignant the rare stories that focus on how screwed up everyone was AFTER the war, like The Journey Back. These books go beyond the happily ever after of liberation to deal with survivers' trauma and the emotional realities of trying to rebuild broken families. This one is sensitive and right on, though the ending is pure fantasy.
May 14, 2012
anna is still here is about a little girl named anna who came back from hiding from the holocaust. she was separated from her mom and dad. but her mom and dad found her and took her back. she goes to mrs neumanns house all the time. her parents dont like that. anna didnt care. mrs. neumann's daughter frannie and her husband got taken away from the holocaust. she awaited for her daughter for a long time.
May 30, 2007
The Holocaust is over, but Anna is still haunted by the past. This has a fifth grade reading level, but is a wonderful fictional story of a young girl three years after the Holocaust. The writing style is very odd.
December 9, 2010
I read this in sixth grade. For some reason, in middle school, we had to read about a million books about WWII and the Holocaust. I barely remember what happened in this book except that it was in present tense which I had never really read in a book before.
April 25, 2011
This story was about a young girl named anna that has just came out of an attic after having to go through the whole holocaust now she has to get her life back together and live the life of a normal girl
April 28, 2014
I read this with my daughter. It is a powerful story and we learned so much together. It was just enough information to introduce her to the subject of the Holocaust and she now would like to learn more.
November 9, 2007
This book was kind hard to understand, but it was pretty good.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews