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 escaped the Nazi terror that claimed her family. Returning 76 years later to her small ancestral town, she witnesses the unveiling of the Stolpersteine, memorial stones to remember her family.

Through photographs, historical documents, and text, Facing the Past captures how some are confronting and atoning for Germany's national crimes. At the same time, Edith discovers the transformative power of two words: "I'm sorry."

This second book in TheLegacy of the Holocaust series is ideal for middle-school discussions on moral guidance, citizenship, and historical responsibility. The book cultivates empathy and reminds readers that the act of remembering is the most powerful memorial of all.