Q&A with Elisa Boxer

 

 

Elisa Boxer is the author of the children's picture book Beam of Light: The Story of the First White House Menorah. Her other books include The Tree of Life. She is also a journalist.

 

Q: What inspired you to write Beam of Light, and why did you decide to have the piece of wood narrate the book?

 

A: Back in 2022, I read an article about this menorah, and was immediately struck by the fact that it had been made from a salvaged wooden beam, scrapped during a Truman-era renovation of the White House.

 

To me, this beam had the energy of a survivor. Here was this piece of wood that was headed for the junkyard, and yet it became the first-ever permanent menorah in the White House holiday collection.

 

The refrain “I was supposed to be destroyed” came to me first. After that, I knew there was no other way to tell this story than from the point of view of this wooden beam that had witnessed its near destruction and ultimate triumph.

 

Q: What do you think Sofia Moore’s illustrations add to the story?

 

A: I knew it was going to be a big challenge to illustrate a story told from the point of view of a wooden beam. Sofia’s illustrations bring more warmth and emotional depth to the story than I could have ever imagined. She strikes just the right balance between tragedy and hope.

 

Because of her attention to detail and her ability to so beautifully portray the passage of time (one of my favorite illustrations is the calendar spread showing the wooden beam sitting in the storage warehouse through 13 presidents), we’re able to follow the beam along on its journey from scrap to survival.

 

From the moment I first saw Sofia’s preliminary sketches, one thing that stood out to me was her depiction of light.

 

There’s one spread in the book where the wooden beam is remembering President Roosevelt’s refusal to accept Jewish refugees from Europe, and the absolute devastation that resulted. On those pages, we see the candles progress from luminous to dark. It’s so incredibly powerful.

 

Throughout the book, Sofia gives each candle a glow that becomes a visual metaphor for strength and survival.

 

Q: The School Library Journal review of the book says, “The story of the beam, by itself, is compelling even without the additional information woven in about World War II atrocities and the Holocaust, but it all blends with the theme of survival and renewal.” What do you think of that description?

 

A: I love that description. That was my goal in writing the book, to weave Holocaust education into the story of the beam, and to carry the theme of renewal as a thread throughout.

 

I think that many of us have had experiences where something that initially feels like the end actually turns out to be a beginning -- a rebirth. I hope the story of the beam and its transformation can be a source of inspiration to young readers who might be struggling with something.

 

I hope that children of any religion think of this beam that was supposed to be destroyed, and remember how it instead became a symbol of strength and light.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: My next book, Under the Rubble, tells the story of a secret archive in the Warsaw Ghetto, and the prisoners who risked everything to bury it before the Nazis could find it. The book is illustrated by Ukrainian artist Oksana Drachovska, who fled her home country during the war. It comes out in March 2026 from Behrman House/Apples and Honey Press.

 

In 2027, I have my first work of fiction: Drawn from the Heart (Little, Brown), illustrated by Cori Doerrfeld. It’s the story of a budding artist who learns to navigate criticism and listen to her inner voice. 

Next up in 2027 is my first middle grade book, Unexpected Undercover: Forty Fearless Female Spies (Abrams). And then Words of Welcome: How Emma Lazarus Gave Lady Liberty a Voice, illustrated by Selina Alko and published by Abrams.

 

Rounding out 2027, I am so excited that Selina Alko and I have another book together, my third with Rocky Pond/Penguin. It’s called Saving the Star, and it’s the true story of a Star of David rescued from a burning synagogue during Kristallnacht. Like Beam of Light, this is also a story of destruction, resilience, and rebirth.

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: During a recent school visit for my book The Tree of Life, I was talking about resilience, and the parallels between the tree that the children planted in the prison camp, and this menorah in Beam of Light.

 

One of the students raised her hand and asked “What’s a menorah?” I had completely taken for granted that they would know what a menorah is! So I took the opportunity to talk about Hanukkah, and the story of the victorious underdogs, and the miracle of light, which is part of the book. So that’s one way this can be a teaching tool, in addition to the parts about the Holocaust.

 

And this isn’t Jewish history, but I think it’s fascinating that the Truman White House was literally falling apart, to the point where the first family looked up at the ceiling and saw a piano leg poking through from upstairs!

  

Thank you so much for this interview, Deborah. It’s always such a pleasure to join you!

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Elisa Boxer.