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

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of religious discrimination, graphic violence, bullying, illness and death, animal death, and physical abuse.

The brief omniscient introduction to Part 4 describes how the “good people” are now hiding from the monsters in the streets. Though the younger sister knows she is supposed to stay indoors, she steps out onto the roof, wishing she could fly away.

Oma’s illness becomes pronounced. She is in pain and has trouble sleeping; the family does not know she coughs up blood. Otto brings a Jewish doctor, who sends Oma to the Jewish hospital right away. A surgery cures nothing; she can only rest. Anne tries to help Oma by telling her stories.

Otto is overjoyed to hear in a long-awaited letter that his friend Mr. Straus will help secure visas for them. They are all heartened by the news, and Anne begins packing a suitcase immediately. Margot says perhaps they should take nothing and begin their lives anew, an idea Anne loves even more than taking everything she can. Weeks pass, however, with no news on the matter. Anne turns 12, but there are no festivities; the circumstances are too stressful. Margot tells her that her future birthdays will be much better.