Interview by Nicole Melanson ~
Johanna Reiss was born in the Netherlands. Two years into World War II, she, a Jewish child, went into hiding along with one of her sisters, Sini. After the war, Ms. Reiss completed her education and taught in elementary schools. In 1955, she came to the USA, married an American, raised her two daughters in New York City and became a writer.
The Upstairs Room, a YA novel about her experiences during the Holocaust, was a Newbery Honor Book, an American Library Association Notable Children’s Book, and a Jane Addams Peace Association Honor Book. It also won the Jewish Book Council Juvenile Book Award and the Buxtehuder Bulle, a German children’s book award.
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED AS A WRITER?
It was my late husband’s idea that I write about my time in hiding. From his encouragement came The Upstairs Room and later, the sequel, The Journey Back.
WHAT IS YOUR LATEST BOOK OR CURRENT PROJECT?
In 2009, I published A Hidden Life, a memoir written for adults.
I’m currently putting the finishing touches on Beyond Hiding: My Sisters and I, about our lives as adults after the war.
WHAT IS YOUR WORK ENVIRONMENT LIKE?
I work at home at my dining room table.
WHEN DO YOU WORK?
Ideally I work mornings.
WHAT IS YOUR WRITING PROCESS?
I am a very slow worker, due, perhaps, to some degree that I grew up speaking Dutch and I write in English.
WHY DO YOU WRITE?
I seem to have a need to put on paper the events I’ve experienced and know best. In addition, whenever I visit a school, I tell students to never follow anyone who tells them to hate this group or that group, this child or that child, anyone “different” for whatever reason.
WHAT IS THE HARDEST PART OF BEING A WRITER?
First, reliving it, and then trying to put it into words I can stand by.
WHAT IS YOUR VISION AS A WORD ARTIST OR INDUSTRY PROFESSIONAL?
To be as honest as I know how.
WHICH FEMALE AUTHORS WOULD YOU LOVE TO HEAR MORE FROM?
Those whose writing is lyrical. That’s my favorite genre.
WHICH FEMALE AUTHORS WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE INTERVIEWED ON WORDMOTHERS NEXT?
Claire Messud
Diana Athill
Thank you, Johanna Reiss!
— Nicole Melanson
* Author photo by Gaetano Catelli
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