When We Flew Away

Throughout the book, Anne references moths. As the story unfolds, more and more moths appear until they almost seem to have taken over. Do you think they are real? Why do you think only a few people, including Anne and eventually Margot, seem to see the moths? Consider the points in the story at which the moths appear, and what is happening in Anne’s life. What do you think the moths represent?

Anne and her sister Margot are very different. Anne is feisty and often feels misunderstood or like she doesn’t belong. Margot is seemingly perfect. How does their relationship change over the course of the novel? How does Anne come to a deeper understanding of Margot? How do they support one another in the face of the challenges around them? What are some ways to support friends and family through challenging experiences?

When We Flew Away imagines what Anne’s life might have looked like before she and her family were forced into hiding. In real life, we know how Anne’s story ends. What is the importance of imagining, writing, and reading “prequel” stories even when we know how they end? Why is it valuable to imagine what happened to Anne before her diary starts?

The novel includes not just Anne’s story but a significant amount of information about what daily life was like in Amsterdam and how it changed, as well as information about the rise of Nazism and the Third Reich. How does integrating this information deepen our understanding of Anne’s story? Why is it important to understand the context around her life?

Memory, or, in Hebrew, zikaron, is a vital component of Judaism. Zikaron comes from the Hebrew root Zachar, meaning remember, and Anne Frank’s diary, along with countless other testimonies (see resources in this guide), provide us with the ability to remember and learn from the past to ensure it never happens again. What are the most critical messages to reflect upon from this book? Why are they important? How can we apply what we’ve learned from them? As more time passes since the Holocaust, what are the challenges associated with keeping those memories alive?

Why do you think Anne returns the gift of the necklace from her mother (p. 174)? Why did her mother initially give it to her? What is Anne hoping for when she tells her mother to give it to her later? Why do you think she ultimately tells her mother to give it to Margot (p. 181)? Bestselling author Alice Hoffman delivers a stunning novel about one of contemporary history’s most beloved figures, exploring the little-known details of Anne Frank’s life before she went into hiding. Anne Frank’s The Diary of a Young Girl has captivated and inspired readers for decades. Published posthumously, 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. 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. ABOUT THE BOOK DISCUSSION QUESTIONS (Continued

The narrator writes, “Anne made a list of all the things that had disappeared. It had begun slowly, and then it wasn’t slow at all. It was one thing, and then it was everything . . .” (p. 212–213). What kinds of things did Anne lose? What did they mean to her? What does the narrator mean by “began slowly and then it wasn’t slow at all?” How did the losses happen? What role did other people—neighbors, friends, and classmates—play in that loss?

Anne Frank was murdered before she could see how her legacy would impact the generations to come, but she was aware enough of what might come to pass that she knew how important it was to write down her thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Because we know her story, we have a much fuller picture of the experiences of Dutch Jews during World War II. Why is it important for regular people to record what their lives are like, especially in times of challenge and strife? What is the benefit of learning about history directly from the voices of those who experienced it?

Anne Frank lived in a world where antisemitism, fascism, and hatred were allowed to fester and grow unchecked. Today, antisemitism and other forms of hatred are on the rise again. What are some things people can do when they encounter antisemitic and other hateful acts or speech taking place?