The Tree of Life

Praise

“Elisa Boxer and illustrator Alianna Rozentsveig strike a reportorial tone in measured prose and softly textured digital art of largely pale-skinned historical figures, conveying both the necessity and limits of hope in the darkest of times. Anauthor’s note concludes..” —Publishers Weekly

“Art and text combine for an honest yet optimistic and age-appropriate portrayal of a difficult topic. A gentle, accessible take on resilience.”  —Kirkus Review

★ ”Focusing the narrative on the tree that came to be known as Etz Chaim, the Tree of Life, Boxer threads the delicate needle of keeping hope alight while also writing with age-appropriate frankness about the horrors of the Holocaust and the reckoning with its aftermath. This sensitive depiction of the experience of Terezin’s children is an essential addition to classroom collections andcurricula.”
—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Boxer and Rozentsveig provide a story of hope in this book, focusing on the life and legacy of a maple tree planted in secret by Irma Lauscher, a Jewish teacher, and students in Terezin (located in modern-dayCzech Republic). The difficult subject matter feels more approachable both through the narrative’s language and accompanying soft illustrations. An approachable and valuable resource. Recommended for most collections.” —School Library Journal