It's hard to believe it's been two decades since that fateful day when America was attacked and the twin towers fell. September 11th was a tragic day that affected all of us even from thousands of miles away. This year to commemorate this event I wanted to share a few books that I felt represented the resilience of the American people.
Henry Holt and Company, 2021. Informational.
This is a moving story told from the point-of-view of the Callery pear tree that survived the attacks on September 11th. The tree's home was destroyed and the tree itself was buried under mounds of debris and rubble after the towers fell but amazingly it didn't die. It was moved to a nursery in the Bronx and was named the "Survivor Tree." Almost a decade later the survivor tree was taken back home and planted in the 9/11 Memorial site where is now provides beauty, comfort and hope. This is a story of recovery not only for the tree but a nation as well. A tribute to first responders, America, and the restorative power of community.
Written by: Ann Magee
Illustrated by: Nicole Wong
Charlesbridge publishing, 2021. Picture Book.
This is another story of the survivor tree whose branches poked through the rubble at Ground Zero after the attack on September 11, 2001. The Survivor Tree brought hope to many in the weeks following the devastation. The story or true-life fable of this tree is presented in a picture book format as a tribute to a city and it's people. As the tree heals a young girl grows into an adult and by the 20th anniversary of 9/11 she has become a firefighter like her first-responder uncle. This is a great introduction to how 9/11 affected the United States and how we as a nation recovered together.
By: Kimberly Willis Holt
Henry Holt and Company, 2021. Fiction.
A heartwarming story of friendship that comes at a difficult time for both Rylee and Joe. Rylee feels like she has just lost her best friend Twig just as Joe, a new boy, moves to town. Rylee shows Joe around town and introduces him to some of the people in the community.
Joe, who just moved from New York, is adapting to life in this small town but he is also dealing with a personal loss due to the tragedy that hit during the aftermath of 9/11. The two become friends and embark on a project to find an old friend of Rylee's father who left almost thirty years ago.
This book is a perfect way to introduce middle grade readers to a true event in American history. It's also a tribute to friendships and explores the challenges of rebuilding what is lost.
By: Alan Gratz
Scholastic Press, 2021. Fiction.
Brandon is visiting his dad on the 107th floor of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 when the attack comes; Reshima is a girl in Afghanistan who has grown up in the aftermath of that attack but dreams of peace, becoming a teacher and escaping her village and the narrow role that the Taliban believes is appropriate for women - both are struggling to survive, both changed forever by the events of 9/11.
This book was well written and will captivate you from the very beginning. The characters are believable and they will give you an inside look into the events that happened on September eleventh and what has followed in the past twenty years. A great historical fiction book with two compelling stories that are intertwined and touch on some important and relevant topics.
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