I Still See Her Haunting Eyes: The Holocaust & a Hidden Child Named Aaron

by Aaron Elster, Joy Erlichman Miller

A unique and unflinching look into a boy s fight for survival as a Jew in World War II Poland. The book, told in the voice of young Aaron Elster, takes a unique and unflinching look into a boy s fight for survival. In his solitude, the boy questions why his mother abandoned him and his very existence in this world.

Genres: Holocaust, Nonfiction, History

160 pages, Paperback

First published April 4, 2007

Reviews

[Katarzyna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know Aaron Elster personally and I'm living in the same town he was living before war and where he was hiding. In Sokolow before WWII 60% population were Jewish. Now - none. His book is very important testimony of that "missing world" which exist only in old peoples memory. Soon it will disappear forever, that is why books like this are so important. Thank you Aaron for writing it!

[Aida Vazquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read plenty of books about the Holocaust survivors but this one was different. This family was really amazing on how they manage to survival for so long. Then Aaron was an amazing little boy. He really wanted to live and did everything possible to make it. This shows the human spirit cannot be commanded to give up. Love the book and I thank God for giving this family the strength to survive.

[Judy Jankowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an incredible story of survival!
Thanks to Aaron’s book, we now know the tragedy that befell my maternal great grandparents and other relatives from both sides of my family that lived in Sokolow- Podlaski prior to 1942.
May the memory of Aaron Elster be forever a blessing.

[Pam Fossen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of Holocaust survivor Aaron Elster.

[Greg Schloesser · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author Aaron Elster is a holocaust survivor. His small Polish village of Sokolow had approximately 5000 Jewish people residing there prior to the Nazi invasion. Less than 2 dozen -- including Aaron (at only 10 years old) -- survived the Nazi atrocities and efforts at genocide.

There have been hundreds of books written by holocaust survivors, but what makes this one so unique as Elster tells the story from his then 10-year-old eyes. The terror, horror and nightmare he experienced truly comes to life, as he struggles to survive and is forced to exist in appalling and inhumane conditions, constantly in fear of his life. His struggle for survival is heart breaking.

The book closes with Elster's speech before a group of high school students. It is one of the most powerful and challenging speeches I have ever read.

Highly recommended.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a heartbreaking story of surviving a tragedy. His accounts are hard to read but are necessary so the reader understands what happened. Thank you Aaron for sharing your life with us. You were a remarkable person. I highly recommend reading this book.

[Emilie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartbreaking and powerful story of a little boy hiding during the Holocaust. Aaron’s journey is devastating and deeply moving, showing incredible perseverance and strength. He also inspires his readers to continue standing up against antisemitism.

[Brittany Pesch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aaron Elster wanted to tell people about the horrors of his childhood. This is the perfect way of doing that. He wrote the story of his life as a Jew during the Holocaust and the things he had to go through to survive. Many of those things we can't imagine, waking up with the fear of being caught and killed for no reason. 'I still see her haunting eyes' by Aaron Elster is a Memoir, it's writen by him and about his childhood. I don't think there is an intended audiance. It's made for all people who are interested in learning about a Jews life during the holocaust. I found this book was very saddening, some of the things you can relate to. That gives you more of a connection with the book you're reading. I belive the fact that he had to live with the knowlage that Irene, his older sister, could live a normal life like a normal person because she doesn't look Jewish. Guys can't do that, It's hard to explain but all they have to do is 'drop their pants' and they'll know that their Jewish. Living with fear and the fact that you could die in the next three minutes is enough to drive anyone to madness. Aaron didn't let these things take advantage of him. He kept telling himself that he'd get through this and be reunited with his family. After his father told him to run, or his mother told him to leave her. The only person he ever saw again was Irene.

I was introduced to this book when I met Aaron Elster. He came to my old school and talked about his life infront of the whole high school. He relived the terrible memories of the past, to teach us, not to let that happen again. I believe that his greatest wish is to forget his past and only focus on the future, and to teach us to live peacefully with the people around him.

[Corinne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fabulous. This story is about the heart-wrenching trials of a 10 year old Jewish boy who fights to survive after his parents and younger sister are captured by the Nazis. He hides in an attic until the liberation in 1945 and endures freezing cold and extreme heat, loneliness, starvation, lice, fleas, etc.. It is amazing to think that such a young boy was able to survive, but he did and wrote and incredibly touching memoir. His goal was to share his story so that others could understand the importance of not just standing silently by when millions of people are being slaughtered. Hate breeds events like the holocaust and there are still "holocausts" going on all over the world today.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of meeting Aaron at a public speaking and he signed my book after presenting to my students. He is story is one that all should read. I was grateful for the opportunity to meet him.

[Pam Howell]

Aaron was a friend of my fathers, it wasn't until about 10 years ago I knew some of his story. He communicates well this horrific time in his life & our history.

[Jeanne Doyle]

Very inspirational and moving story! I purchased this book at the Illinois Holocaust Museum and was privileged to read it!

[Corinthia Soukup · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unimaginable and Heartbreaking