The Tower of Life

Written by Chana Stiefel · Illustrated by Susan Gal

A woman rebuilds her lost community through a powerful exhibit of recovered photographs.

4.6 Goodreads · 677 ratings

40 pages· ~750L

$18.99Save 5%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Yaffa's idyllic Polish town was shattered by the Holocaust, erasing nearly 3,500 Jewish lives. Determined to preserve their memory, she embarked on a mission to recover thousands of photographs scattered worldwide. These images became the Tower of Faces, a poignant exhibit at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum. Yaffa's journey is a testament to resilience and the enduring spirit of a lost community. How did she gather these fragments of history, and what stories do they tell? Discover the remarkable tale of one woman's quest to ensure her town's legacy endures.

From the publisher

A moving biography of the woman who created The Tower of Faces, a powerful exhibit at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC.Sydney Taylor Book Award (Gold Medal)A Robert F. Sibert Honor Book★ “…There are many picture books about the Holocaust, but this one stands out with Gal’s beautiful watercolor pictures and the true account of one woman’s goal that her community never be forgotten. A beautiful tribute….Highly recommended.” – School Library Journal, starred review★ “A stunning tale . . . . bursting with detail and life. . . . A magnificent and moving tribute to a loving community and an extraordinary woman.” – Booklist, starred review★ “A powerful tribute….Moving.” – Publisher’s Weekly, starred review★ “An affirming tribute to a Jewish past that was lost in the Holocaust as well as to one survivor’s work.” – The Horn Book, starred review” …A loving testament to light and hope and the vision of a remarkable woman.” – Kirkus Reviews”…the book’s mes-sage is con-sis-tent-ly opti-mistic… Stiefel paints a truth-ful por-trait appro-pri-ate for those just begin-ning to learn about the Holocaust….Gal’s artwork…is dramatic and accessible…a book that ensures [Eliach and her town] will not be forgotten.” – Jewish Book CouncilThere 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 FACES, a permanent exhibit in the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, to restore the soaring spirit of Eishyshok.