One of School Library Journal’s Best Nonfiction Books of 2011
One of Horn Book’s Best Nonfiction Books of 2011reviews
Sep 15, 2011
Jadalynn
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This is nonfiction for children, but I have a hard time deciding upon an age for it. I think it might be meant for primary to intermediate children. Needless to say this book is about 9/11/01 and the events that happened on that day. It’s really a great book. I read it on my Kindle so I was a bit disappointed that I could not see the pictures in color, but even in black and white the pictures were amazing. I think I saw in the description that the pictures were water color, I can’t find that inf
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Oct 17, 2011
Lisa
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This is a good book for educating children (ages 9 through 13) about what happened on 9/11. Its strengths are telling the stories of specific individuals, including many of the rescuers, and the lovely watercolor paintings.
Some background is definitely given, so some of the big picture does come across. But, I’d say this book should not be the only book used to learn about the events that took place on 9/11. There are a lot of statistics given though, lots of numbers.
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Some background is definitely given, so some of the big picture does come across. But, I’d say this book should not be the only book used to learn about the events that took place on 9/11. There are a lot of statistics given though, lots of numbers.
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Jan 22, 2012
Amy
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Even though 9/11 happened more than 10 years ago, and even though I was not personally affected by the tragic events of that day, this book brought up a lot of emotions for me. Just like most everyone, I know exactly where I was when I first heard about what was happening; I still remember sitting in my Foundations classroom (like homeroom) watching the second plane hit, and the stations flashing images of what the skyline of NY used to be, and what it now was.
That said, this is a wel More...
That said, this is a wel More...
Feb 11, 2012
Milena
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This book does not inform children about the whole political issues around the violence between United States and the Middle East. What is more, it portrays Al Qaeda agents as "deadly" hijackers who are madly hateful for no special reason. To me, the most shocking phrase in the book is this one: "among their ordinary passengers were nineteen deadly men. They were followers of Osama Bin Laden, leader of an organization known as Al-Qaeda. The group hated America's power and influenc
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Sep 12, 2011
Heidi
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At the tenth anniversary of September 11, the question arises, how do we talk to children about what happened that day. The children I work with weren't even born when it happened. How do we help students understand the event without giving more detail than is appropriate. Don Brown has answered that question beautifully. He gives the basic string of events, but he also humanizes the story by quoting and telling the experiences of some of those who were there that day. The illustrations provi
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Dec 16, 2011
Wendy
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I intended to avoid this book. Rave reviews kept appearing on several children's lit blogs that I follow. But I wasn't convinced. A picture book. About September 11. I just couldn't get behind that. Today it was just sitting on the new bookshelf at my branch. Okay fine, book, I'll read you.
There really are no words to describe what an incredible job Don Brown has done with this book. It somehow manages to convey all the horror of that day without being at all horrifying. It chooses t More...
There really are no words to describe what an incredible job Don Brown has done with this book. It somehow manages to convey all the horror of that day without being at all horrifying. It chooses t More...
Dec 15, 2011
Joan
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This was remarkable. Of course, for adults at least, it is a review of events none of us will forget. But this is written for children who are too young to remember 9/11. Without any sensationalism, remarkable in itself, it simply but not simplistically tells what happened that day. The pictures are dramatic, but again, not sensational. The two, text and illustration, work together perfectly. This got lots of talk when first published and was by far the best of the 9/11 books I found for childre
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Feb 16, 2012
Cheryl
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This book is excellent. It tells the story of the day the World Trade Center was attacked by terrorists using commercial airliners as weapons. The account is based on first person reports, federal investigations, and news reports. The addition of individual stories makes this a personalized accounting of the events of Sept 11, 2001.
Authors Notes documents the statistics of the day, for all three crash sites. Quotes are source cited on the final page.
This is a wonderfu More...
Authors Notes documents the statistics of the day, for all three crash sites. Quotes are source cited on the final page.
This is a wonderfu More...
Oct 09, 2011
Matthew
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This was among the more difficult books I've ever read, primarily because it brought back up every feeling that I will always connect with this event. I can't think back on that day without reliving my own experience as a baffled teenager watching the world go crazy without any good explanation. None of it made any sense to me then, and now ten years and a thousand explanations later it seems every bit as senseless as it was on that day. This was a thorough book, telling the story as well as any
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Sep 05, 2011
Cathy
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http://nonfictiondetectives.blogspot.com...
How does a country deal with tragedy? How do parents and teachers explain unfathomable events to children? Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, many adults attempted to shield children from seeing the images of the planes flying into the towers. We turned off the news when footage was broadcast, and we avoided discussing the events in the presence of our kids. The country was on edge, and we didn't want to scare our children More...
How does a country deal with tragedy? How do parents and teachers explain unfathomable events to children? Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, many adults attempted to shield children from seeing the images of the planes flying into the towers. We turned off the news when footage was broadcast, and we avoided discussing the events in the presence of our kids. The country was on edge, and we didn't want to scare our children More...
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Jan 16, 2012
This is the first children's book I read about a detailed description of what happened on September 11, 2001 at the twin World Trade Towers in New York City, at the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, Pennysylvania. Heroic firemen, civilians, and police officiers are the backbones of the country. Miraculous survival stories are the best hopes in time of such catastrophies. The tremendous loss of that day remains an indelible scar in the hearts amd minds of all of us.
Jan 30, 2012
Edie
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up until this book came out, The Man Who Walked between the Towers was the book I used to talk with students about 9/11 but Don Brown's book, a straightforward account that becomes personalized with the tale of 2 brothers and small details about a squiggie that helped pry open an elevator door, all add to the sense of immediacy and loss without being maudlin. A great introduction to a dark topic that young readers are only getting bits and pieces of.
Sep 25, 2011
Deb
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I read this picture book aloud to my sixth graders. It is a simple text that explains the events of 9/11 in a factual manner without the harsh descriptions about the events of that day. Perfect for upper elementary readers.
While explaining the attack on the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and Flight 93, the author seamlessly tells the heroic stories of survivors.
A must-have for the classroom and library.
While explaining the attack on the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and Flight 93, the author seamlessly tells the heroic stories of survivors.
A must-have for the classroom and library.
Jan 23, 2012
Dolores
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Nice balanced explanation of the events of September 11th, 2001 for juvenile readers. The account is told narrative-style and is very informative but, for the most part, keeps it's emotions in check. We meet some of the people who were impacted that day and some of these people unfortunately, do not survive. For the younger readers, who do not remember this day, this book will do a good job of giving them a feel of the events.
Dec 05, 2011
Ms.Gaye
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Excellent summary of events, covering not only the big picture but some of the detailed personal events. Simple yet powerful illustrations add depth to the text. Even while marveling at the wonder of several amazing and hopeful moments, the truthfulness of this awful attack can bring on tears. Brown has created a book giving access to the event for children who aren't ready for the complete story.
Nov 23, 2011
Abby
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This book answers a lot of questions that kids will have about the September 11 terrorist attacks. Don Brown includes the details that kids will be curious about and presents the information in a kid-friendly way. He focuses on the actions of people in New York as the towers were hit and fell, also including brief information about the other attacks that happened that day (Pentagon and the Pennsylvania plane crash). The information is presented chronologically as the events unfolded. An afterwor
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Dec 28, 2011
Karen
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A very powerful book on the terrorist attack of Sept. 11. Written in simple language and including quotes, the author focuses on the World Trade center, but includes the attacks on the Pentagon and the plane crash in Pennsylvania. The illustrations are simple, without much detail to faces, while at the same time clearly depicting the disasters. Source notes and a bibliography are included. An excellent choice for elementary schools.
Sep 03, 2011
Joann
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Because of limited budget, I felt I could only buy one 9/11 book for the collection..and this is the one I chose. Don Brown does an excellent job of making the events of 9/11 understandable to children who were not born yet, and who really may not comprehend the emotion around the 10th anniversary of the attack. This book will help them understand.
Jan 06, 2012
Jennifer
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I thought this was a well done narrative of 9-11 for young children. Illustrated drawings instead of photos. Focused on some specific people who were heroes that day. A good starting point and very appropriate for the 10th year remembrance.
Sep 09, 2011
This is the book about 9/11 that my library's needed all these years--straightforward, factual, sensitive, and including the stories of actual people. This will be a useful and important book for kids for a long time to come.
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Nov 25, 2011
Lady Lioness
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Brown's simple line drawings contrast sharply with the heaviness of the text. This book is a very clear and factual accounting of the events on the morning of September 11, 2001. Brown's focus is primarily on the Towers and the people who were there. There is a timeline narrative threading through the book, but the heart of the emotional resonance is definitely the Towers. When I was reading, I remembered snippets of a documentary I watched on the tenth anniversary. As Brown referred to "go
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Oct 31, 2011
Susan
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It is amazing to me that I'm still learning information about 9/11. One thing that I really appreciated about this book was it's matter-of-fact presentation. Yes, many people died, but others survived, often thanks to total strangers kindness.
Aug 24, 2011
Ed
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An excellent chronicle of the tragic day for readers too young to remember or not yet born. I especially like the focus on individual victims and survivors. Vivid, emotional and powerful.
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Aug 27, 2011
Ann
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Wonderful retelling of key individuals and events on 9/11 without including info too graphic for 5th graders. Part of Don Brown's Actual Times historical event series.
Nov 20, 2011
Deanna
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An unsensationalized account of the event of 9/11. Would be a good introduction for younger kids who may not have any background information on the topic.
Dec 28, 2011
Donalyn
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An excellent account of the events immediately before, during, and after the September 11th terrorist attack on the US. Don Brown weaves together factual information and people's first hand accounts into a powerful narrative for younger readers.
A concise first look at the events on that terrible day.
A concise first look at the events on that terrible day.
Sep 28, 2011
Nancy
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Simple, sensitive account of 9/11 with simple watercolor illustrations. Places bigh emphasis on the people involved as well as the events.
Oct 19, 2011
Heather
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Very well done and accessible as well as being a very fitting tribute to the many heroes of the day.
Aug 18, 2011
katsok
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Picked this up to share with my 5th graders who weren't even born on 9/11. Very accessible for them.
Nov 25, 2011
Kim
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A restrained and factual picture book of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
