Eli Remembers

Summary: Year after year, Eli watches the solemn lighting of seven candles at his family's celebration of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. On such a happy occasion, his parents and grandparents always seem sad, and Eli can't understand why.Then one year Eli travels to Eastern Europe to learn more about his family history. There, he learns how the candles represent his family's connection to the Holocaust in Lithuania, and how remembering his ancestors can help heal years of grief and shame.This powerful story, illuminated by Bill Farnsworth's sensitive brush strokes and muted palette, can be used as an introduction to World War II and the Holocaust, and will also remind young readers how they can make a difference in the lives of their families. Quotes:AWARDS and RECOGNITIONSFlorida Book Awards, Bronze Medal, Children's Literature (2007)Children's Book Council, Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People (2008)International Reading Association-Children's Book Council Joint Committee, Children's Choices (2008) School Library Journal"The rich, textured oil paintings beautifully communicate the somber and serious mood of the text." Publishers Weekly"Simple, direct language follows Eli's trajectory from puzzlement and ignorance to horrific realization and resolve."Author Bio: Ruth Vander Zee, teacher and author, has also writtenErika's Story, illustrated by Roberto Innocenti(Creative Editions), and Mississippi Morning,illustrated by Floyd Cooper (Eerdmans). Ruth lives inMiami, Florida.Marian Sneider (1934-2005), author and familytherapist, wrote professionally for the Miami Herald,Miami News, and Highlights andTurtle children's magazines. EliRemembers was inspired by events from her own family,and is her first published book for children. Marian passedaway in December 2005.Bill Farnsworth has illustrated more than forty books,including Louis Sockalexis: Native American BaseballPioneer by Bill Wise (Lee & Low) and The Flag withFifty-Six Stars by Susan Goldman Rubin (HolidayHouse). Bill lives in Florida.