Eli Remembers

Eli Remembers

Written by Ruth Vander Zee and Marian Sneider

Illustrated by Bill Farnsworth

Published by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers

Copyright 2007

32 pages

Historical fiction

Eli Remembers is a book about a boy named Eli who celebrates Rosh Hashanah Eve with his family. When his great-grandmother lights seven candles, everyone seems sad. Eli visits Lithuania with his parents, his grandma, and his grandpa. When they get to Lithuania, Eli learns about his family’s history? What is the significance of the seven candles? Will Eli find out why everyone is sad?

Bill Farnsworth used oils on canvas to illustrate this book. The use of duller colors helps create a somber tone throughout the book. The realistic illustrations help readers see themselves in the story. The full page picture of the boy shows his emotion after he heard the information.

This book could be used in a sixth grade classroom. The subject matter in this book would not be appropriate for students in earlier grades. Eli Remembers could be used for a social studies lesson. Students could read the book before they learn about the Holocaust. This book could be used for a writing lesson. Students could write about how the book made them feel. This book could be used for another social studies lesson. Students could research the history of Lithuania. This book won a bronze medal Florida Book Award in 2007. This book won a Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People award in 2008.