Join the Pritzker Military Museum & Library for a virtual reading of Twenty-One Steps by Jeff Gottesfeld, a picture book all about the creation of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the steadfast guards who watch over it.

Recommended for readers age 7-10.

Among the heroes who have given their lives in service to their nation are many whose names and identities have been lost. Since 1921, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a memorial in Arlington National Cemetery, has honored the fallen soldiers who, for one reason or another, could not be identified and returned to their families. And since 1937, it has been guarded 24/7 by some of the most dedicated and disciplined soldiers the Army has to offer.

Jeff Gottesfeld writes for page, stage, and screen. He has won awards from the American Library Association, the Association of Jewish Libraries, the Writer’s Guild of America, the National Council for the Social Studies, and the American Alliance for Theater and Education. His current focus is picture book texts for children. Aside from Twenty-One Steps: Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Candlewick, 2021, with art by Matt Tavares), his other award-winning picture books are The Tree in the Courtyard (Knopf, 2016), illustrated by Peter McCarty, No Steps Behind (Creston, 2020), illustrated by Shiella Witanto, The Christmas Mitzvah (Creston, 2021, illustrated by Michelle Agatha, and Food for Hope (Creston, 2023, illustrated again by Agatha). Being illustrated now are two additional Candlewick picture book titles about American military life, including We All Serve about military brats, and Honor Flight, about that amazing program for our aging veterans. Born in Manhattan and raised in Teaneck, New Jersey, he currently lives in Los Angeles. Visit him at www.jeffgottesfeldwriter.com

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