The Tower of Life [Eliach, Yaffa]

Ages 6 to 8, Grades 1 to 3

The true story behind the Tower of Life, a permanent Exhibit at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC.There once was a girl named Yaffa. She loved her family, her home, and her beautiful Polish town that brimmed with light and laughter. She also loved helping her Grandma Alte in her photography studio. There, shopkeepers, brides, babies, and bar mitzvah boys posed while Grandma Alte captured their most joyous moments on film. And before the Jewish New Year, they sent their precious photographs to relatives overseas with wishes for good health and happiness. But one dark day, Nazi soldiers invaded the town. Nearly 3,500 Jewish souls — including family, friends, and neighbors of Yaffa — were erased. ​​​​​​​ This is the stunning true story of how Yaffa made it her life’s mission to recover thousands of her town’s photographs from around the world. Using these photos, she built her amazing TOWER OF LIFE, a permanent exhibit in the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, to restore the soaring spirit of Eishyshok.

About the Author

Chana Stiefel is the author of more than 25 books for kids. Recent nonfiction titles include Animal Zombies!: And Other Bloodsucking Beasts, Creepy Creatures, and Real-Life Monsters (National Geographic Kids, 2018), which was selected as a Top Ten YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant YA Readers in 2019. And she’s published two picture books, one for Feiwel and Friends and one for HMH. Chana loves visiting schools and libraries and sharing her passion for reading and writing with children. She earned a Master’s degree in Science, Health, and Environmental Reporting from New York University. She lives in Teaneck, New Jersey, with her husband and their four children.

After completing her BFA at Art Center College of Design, Susan Gal began her illustration career as a poster and calendar artist. The call of animation beckoned her to Florida where she became an "actor with a pencil" for Disney Animation. But the lure of the silver screen was not to last. Returning to her native California, Susan continues to create fun and whimsical illustrations while attempting to live a caffeine and nuclear-free life in Berkeley. Her book Welcoming Elijah, by Lesléa Newman, won the Sydney Taylor Book Award.