Remember My Story

A Girl, a Holocaust Survivor, and a Friendship That Made History

By: Claire Sarnowski, Sarah Durand

Narrated by: Madeleine Curry

Told through "moments of despair, heartbreak, laughter, and triumph" (Kirkus), this "inspiring" (Booklist) and "hopeful" (School Library Journal) memoir tells the true story of how a modern teen girl and her Holocaust-survivor friend fought against hate to create change.

In 2018, fourteen-year-old Claire Sarnowski stood with ninety-two-year-old Alter Wiener in front of the Oregon state senate to champion a cause the two friends both believed in: making Holocaust education mandatory in their state’s public school curriculum. Theirs was an unexpected friendship—she was in elementary school when they met, and he was an aging Holocaust survivor whose memoir she had read—and together they were going to change the American education system.

Alter had spent decades speaking to audiences of all ages and backgrounds about the Holocaust, teaching that “never forgetting” could help spread tolerance and prevent such an atrocity from happening again. But Claire knew hate crimes were still being committed, in her own town and even in her own school. She didn’t want Alter’s efforts on Holocaust education to be in vain.

From strangers to friends to law-changing history makers, Claire and Alter’s mission was always simple: Remember this story. This page-turning memoir is a tribute to a man who survived the worst of humanity, an ode to friendship and community, and an empowering call to activism.

Critic reviews

“Claire Sarnowski’s memoir … proves our youth have the power to make positive change happen. Remember My Story is a call to action for all of us to do what we can to promote kindness and compassion in our world.” —Trudy Ludwig, author of Gifts from the Enemy
—Trudy Ludwig

Remember My Story

It was very well written. Wonderful story about a nine year old girl and a very Special friend she makes.

Genuine heart, sincere desire for change, incredible hope for our future.

At the heart of this amazing story are two incredible human beings, each with a history of selfless work for change. Claire beautifully balances their individual histories, their unique friendship, and the journey that led to the Holocaust and Genocide Education Bill in the state of Oregon. Well written, thought provoking, inspiring.