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

by Fern Schumer Chapman (Author)

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.