Facing the Past: A Public Memorial Compels a Small German Town to Confront Its History

Who will remember the victims?

Eighty-nine-year-old Holocaust survivor Edith Westerfeld was just a young girl when she escaped the Nazi terror that claimed her family. Seventy-six years later, she returns to her small German hometown to witness the unveiling of the Stolpersteine-memorial stones laid to honor her lost loved ones.

Through historical photographs, primary documents, and powerful narrative non-fiction, Facing the Past brings history to life as Edith confronts the past and discovers the profound weight of two simple words: "I'm sorry."

A Powerful Tool for Holocaust Education

📖 Perfect for classroom discussions, middle school history lessons, and Holocaust education programs.

📖 Encourages critical thinking on moral responsibility, citizenship, and remembrance.

📖 For students learning about historical atonement and its modern impact.

Ideal for:

✅ Middle-grade readers learning about the Holocaust and World War II

✅ Teachers & librarians seeking Holocaust education resources for students

✅ Parents who want to help kids understand the importance of history and remembrance

For readers of Survivors: True Stories of Children in the Holocaust and We Must Not Forget: Holocaust Stories of Survival and Resistance.