The Upstairs Room

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussions of antisemitism, genocide, and graphic violence.

Soon after the Allies arrive in Belgium, the Germans search houses in Usselo. Johan is away that day. Sini and Annie get into the hiding place, and when soldiers arrive, Dientje seals the girls inside. They hear banging and shouting, and the soldiers enter the closet. Annie and Sini cling to each other, barely breathing. After a time, Dientje returns and urges the girls to come out, but they can’t move, afraid the soldiers will return. When Johan gets home for lunch, he stays the rest of the day. Later, they learn that the group of Jews at the neighboring farm, including Mimi, were taken away along with the farmer and his wife. Unsettled, Annie thinks of Mimi on the train.

Then, Mr. Hannink shares that someone tipped off the Germans about the farmer’s hiding spot and asks Johan to kill the informer. Johan refuses. A few days later, a boy arrives with a note. Johan gives him the instructions and a gun that Mr. Hannink left. The next day, the Germans, furious, arrest several people, vowing to release them only if the killer reveals himself. When no one steps forward, the Germans shoot the people on the side of the road.