Something Remains

Reach for this book when your teenager begins asking difficult questions about how society can turn against a specific group of people or when they are studying the human cost of the Holocaust. Based on the true life of Erich Levi, the story follows a young Jewish boy in 1930s Germany as his world slowly shrinks. He watches as his friends disappear, his rights are stripped away, and his neighbors become strangers. It is a profound exploration of resilience and the pain of exclusion. While the subject matter is heavy, it provides a vital window into the slow erosion of civil liberties and the importance of holding onto one's identity during times of systemic injustice. It is most appropriate for mature middle schoolers and high school students who are ready to engage with realistic historical trauma and complex moral questions.