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America Is Under Attack: September 11, 2001: The Day the Towers Fell

(Actual Times)

Don Brown

4.14 · Rating details · 1,024 ratings · 252 reviews

One of School Library Journal's Best Nonfiction Books of 2011
One of Horn Book's Best Nonfiction Books of 2011

On the ten year anniversary of the September 11 tragedy, a straightforward and sensitive book for a generation of readers too young to remember that terrible day.

The events of September 11, 2001 changed the world forever. In the fourth installment of the Actual Time ...more

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Hardcover, 64 pages

Published August 16th 2011 by Flash Point

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Start your review of America Is Under Attack: September 11, 2001: The Day the Towers Fell

Sep 14, 2020 Abigail rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: Upper Primary and Middle-School Students Interested in 9/11

Shelves: 9-11, picture-books, new-york, childrens-history, childrens-non-fiction, it-broke-my-heart

Prolific picture-book biographer and historian Don Brown turns to the tragic tale of September 11th, 2001 in this moving title, setting out the story of the terrorist attacks that occurred in America on that day. His simple but powerful text describes the events - the crashing of two planes into the World Trade Center in New York City, the crashing of another into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and the crashing of a fourth in a field in Pennsylvania - while also highlighting the stories of sp ...more

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Jul 30, 2018 Jenny rated it really liked it

Shelves: american-history-for-kids, children-s-books

This was engaging and informational and included stories of real individuals which made it more relatable than just relating the facts. My 9 year old asked lots of questions and was very engaged in the story. It made me emotional in several places as I read and remembered the events of that day.

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Jul 10, 2011 Cathy rated it really liked it

Shelves: nonfiction, picture-books, nonfiction-2011

http://nonfictiondetectives.blogspot....

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.

Literature is an ef http://nonfictiondetectives.blogspot....

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.

Literature is an effective way to broach a tough subject with children. A number of children's books were published shortly after the events of 9/11 as a way to help children understand what had unfolded and to highlight good deeds by people who wanted to help a wounded country. One book that comes to mind is Fireboat: The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey by Maira Kalman, published in 2002. Fireboat told the true story of a retired fireboat that was brought in to help put out the fires on Sept. 11, 2001.

The children of 2001 are now grown, and the majority of children in elementary school today were born after 2001. With the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11th now upon us, a new children's book aims to describe the devastating events to young readers. America Is Under Attack by Don Brown outlines the tragedy in a concise, chronological, narrative style that elementary school children will understand. The author pins down the events to the exact minute:

"Massive flames spewed from the tower. Wreckage rained down on the street. It was 9:03 AM, seventeen minutes after the strike on the North Tower. People now understood the earlier crash was not a freak accident, but a deliberate attack."

Brown's watercolor illustrations convey the serious tone of the story. One page shows black smoke pouring out of one of the towers while people stand on the building's steel beams waving for help. Shades of black, gray and dark blue are used to illustrate a fallen firefighter as he is carried away from the wreckage by four firefighters as others look on and salute. Readers will relate to the gravity of the story through these illustrations.

Brown does not gloss over the events that may be difficult for children to hear, but he also doesn't go into details that may scare children. He strikes just the right balance. An author's note in the back includes facts about the number of deaths in the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the Shanksville plane crash. A bibliography and list of source notes are also located in the back.

America is Under Attack fits the needs of many grade 3-6 libraries and classrooms. The book will educate a new generation of readers about September 11th without exploiting a tragedy that is still raw for many adults.
...more

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Sep 24, 2013 Nicole rated it really liked it

Shelves: picture-books, history, rll-538-539, nonfiction

Yikes. Obviously, America is Under Attack touches upon some very scary, and very real, situations surrounding the 9-11 attacks. It was pretty hard to read, even though this is a simplified and more "friendly" recount of the tragedy, meant for children.

I have not read any other books from Brown's "Actual Times" series about historical events, but I did think this was a good way to tell the story of September 11th -- the tragedy of it, the heroes that sacrificed their own lives to save complete s Yikes. Obviously, America is Under Attack touches upon some very scary, and very real, situations surrounding the 9-11 attacks. It was pretty hard to read, even though this is a simplified and more "friendly" recount of the tragedy, meant for children.

I have not read any other books from Brown's "Actual Times" series about historical events, but I did think this was a good way to tell the story of September 11th -- the tragedy of it, the heroes that sacrificed their own lives to save complete strangers, and the strength of the human spirit when it seems impossible. I would say this book is good for grades 3-6 and possibly beyond. It's very informative, providing actual quotes from survivors and many details about the attacks and the events which unfolded afterwards.

The illustrations are great -- this is such an emotional day to recall, and although some of the images are hard to look at because I remember the day so vividly, I think the author did a great job of combining visuals and text in a way that is emotional, but not too emotional for children to handle.

I think the possibilities for classroom applications using this book -- and others like it -- in elementary classrooms are plentiful. Obviously, this would fit seamlessly into a social studies unit about either this event specifically, or in a larger unit dealing with terrorism or crisis situations. There are so many opportunities for deep and meaningful whole class or small group discussions based on the events of 9-11, and although students in elementary school were (likely) not born yet, I'm sure their parents and/or siblings do remember the day clearly.

I like the way the subject was handled, and for that, I'm giving this book 4 stars. This book is recommended for grades 1-5. It was a bit on the lengthy side for some primary/younger elementary aged students, but I think older elementary students and middle level students would enjoy this visually appealing (yet detail-oriented) approach to learning about a historical topic. I'm definitely intrigued enough to check out Don Brown's other historical children's books. ...more

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Jan 29, 2012 Milena rated it did not like it

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 influence." Hopefully s ...more

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Oct 17, 2011 Lisa Vegan rated it liked it

Shelves: childrens, z2011, zz-3star, picture-books, readbooks-male-author-or-illust, history, non-fiction, reviewed

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.

Alternately heartbreaking a ...more

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Apr 21, 2015 Luann rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2015, young-adult, nonfiction, american-history, juvenile, gcra-nominee, picture-book, history

This was painful to read even now. I would have a tough time reading this aloud to a group of students without becoming emotional, but I think Brown did a really nice job of covering the events in a student-friendly way. His illustrations were also VERY well-done. I liked that he focused on stories of several individuals. Reading this made me want to find and read other books in the "Actual Times" series.

This was a Grand Canyon Reader Award nominee for 2015. ...more

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Dec 11, 2011 Donalyn rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2011-nerdy-book-club-award-nominees, mg-ya-picture-books-nonfiction

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. ...more

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Aug 24, 2011 Edward Sullivan rated it it was amazing

Shelves: children-s-nonfiction, disasters, new-york-city

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 07, 2017 Erin Buhr rated it really liked it

Straight forward and honest, this is a great book to share with kids learning about what happened on 9/11.

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Jan 17, 2019 Kim rated it really liked it

Heartbreaking but tame enough to read to kids/for kids to read themselves. I can still feel my heart drop when I remember seeing the Twin Towers fall. My history.

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Jun 14, 2013 Rachel Bormann added it

Shelves: primary-books

Audience: primary

Genre: America is Under Attack fits is part of the nonfiction genre. It depicts the tragic events and informs readers about the terrorist attack that occurred on September 11, 2001.

Award: School Library Journal Best Nonfiction: 2011

Summary:
America is Under Attack is intended to provide young readers with an understanding of the terrorist attacks that have greatly impacted the United States. The events that transpired on September 11, 2001 can be quite difficult for students to u Audience: primary

Genre: America is Under Attack fits is part of the nonfiction genre. It depicts the tragic events and informs readers about the terrorist attack that occurred on September 11, 2001.

Award: School Library Journal Best Nonfiction: 2011

Summary:
America is Under Attack is intended to provide young readers with an understanding of the terrorist attacks that have greatly impacted the United States. The events that transpired on September 11, 2001 can be quite difficult for students to understand. Often times, they have a vague understanding of what adults refer to as “9/11,” however, they can not fully grasp the significance of it. Don Brown attempts to bridge the gap in their understanding in his nonfiction book.

Brown provides readers with a background of the tragic event. He explains that early one morning, a group of men who were dedicated to following Osama Bin Laden, offered their lives to support the al-Qaeda organization. The group disliked America’s power and influence in the world and they promised to bring violence to the U.S. Bin Laden’s followers hijacked four commercial airliners and intended to use the planes as weapons. One of the jets collided into the North Tower of the World Trade Center at 8:46 in the morning. Brown describes the ensuing events, and uses numerical values and facts to add significance to the event. Within minutes after the collision, rescue workers arrived on the scene. Firefighters began ascending the stairs with an additional eighty pounds of equipment: they were headed for the 90th floor. Seventeen minutes after the first attack, a second airliner collided into the South Tower. It was now understood that it was a deliberate attack on the World Trade Center. The attack did not stop there, however, a third plane crashed into the Pentagon building. On the fourth hijacked plane, passengers learned of the ensuing attacks, and took action against the al-Qaida men. The passengers crashed the plane into a field before another civilian attack could occur. By the end of the attack, the two towers had completely collapsed, and 2,973 people had died.

Brown successfully depicts the tragic events of the terrorist attack using a combination of hard facts and first-hand accounts of witnesses. Using a twin text that depicts the heroes and gives personal accounts of the tragic event would immensely enhance Brown’s book. However, many of such books are written for older audiences and could pose problems if the stories were read to younger children. Therefore, since Brown’s book depicts the fire fighter as major heroes in the tragedy, discussing the roles that emergency responders play on an everyday basis would also enhance the nonfiction story. This would give students a greater understanding of the contributions that firefighters make not only in the face of extreme tragedies, but also in our day-to-day lives. The twin text about firefighters could also help foster the students’ dreams, since many children often hope to become firefighters. Finally, a twin text about firefighters would help to focus the kids’ attention on a more positive aspect of the tragic event.

One book that can be used to extend America is Under Attack is Chris L. Demarest’s Firefighters A to Z. In this story, Demarest, a firefighter himself, uses each letter of the alphabet to describe the tools that firemen use and the events and their responsibilities while working. Demarest uses rhyming verses and vivid pictures to grab the children’s attention. In reading this story, students will be able to think back about America is Under Attack from the firefighters perspective. They will have a better understanding of what the firemen likely did during the emergency and what equipment they would have had while travelling up the towers.

A second twin text that could enhance America is Under Attack is Meish Goldish’s Firefighters to the Rescue. As one of a series of books about various professions, this story provides readers with scenarios that firefighters may face. Additionally, it describes the responsibilities that firefighters have and provides examples of current responders and real-life events. This is a great extension to Brown’s book since it describes the responsibilities that first responders face. Additionally, one of the examples shows describes the responders’ actions on 9/11.
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Oct 09, 2016 Renee Doucette rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2016-reading

This short picture book tells the story of the attacks on September 11th. Because we've made it to a time when our young people don't understand what happened that day, books like this are essential. The illustrations are watercolor and line drawings, nothing too drastic for young readers. There's obviously more to share about 9/11 but this book is a good start for children. ...more

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Feb 16, 2014 538 PM Jeremy Kossak added it

Shelves: literacy-class

America Under Attack is a powerful retelling of the events of the terrorist attacks that took place that fateful morning of September 11th, 2001. Even today, the terrorist attacks on New York are not easy to discuss. I was shocked and amazed at what this book accomplished in 64 pages. This book is intended for the elementary grades, however middle school students can also learn a lot about this day. Readers will also understand the feeling of great loss and sacrifice endured by the victims of th ...more

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Jun 21, 2012 Heather Pool added it

Shelves: children-s-lit

This book can be for anyone and for grades third through fifth. The audience is really for anyone. This book is a story about the world trade centers and the pentagon on 9/11. It was very factual but also had somewhat of a story. For example, it introduced a few characters (real people) and what happened to them but mostly the book was about what happened that day and why it is important. I thought this book was very factual on what happened and I actually learned a few things in the process! I ...more

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Sep 12, 2011 Heidi rated it it was amazing

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 provide ...more

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Jul 21, 2013 Megan Wismer added it

Shelves: children-s-lit

Audience: 3rd-6th Grade
Genre: Non fiction
Blooms Questions:
Remembering- Can you tell me three events that happened on September 11, 2001?
Understanding- Describe what people realized after the second plane hit?
Applying- What questions would you ask if you could question one of the passengers in the 4th plane, that crashed into the Pennsylvania field?
Analyzing- How would you compare the firefighters attitude and outlook going up the starts to the office workers going down?
Evaluating- Justify the re ...more

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Dec 15, 2011 Joan rated it it was amazing

Shelves: bio-and-autobiography, female-characters, american-history, history, disabled-interests

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 ...more

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Apr 12, 2012 Brandi Smith rated it really liked it

Shelves: childrens-literature

This nonfiction picturebook was recognized as one of The School Library Journal's Best Nonfiction Books of 2011. It chronicles the events that took plae on the morning of September 11,2001. The target audience for this book is children 8-12 years old(I).
I gave this book 4 stars. The author recounts the events of 9/11 in a way that is serious but not intimidating. He gives just the right amount of detail to inform the young reader without making him fearful. The color palette used in the illustra ...more

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Aug 15, 2011 Beth rated it really liked it

Shelves: nonfiction, middle-grade-picture-book, picture-books

I had to take a break from reading this because it affected me so much. I wonder how kids reading this will feel. The students I teach are not old enough to remember this day and soon, I will be teaching students who won't have been alive on this day.

This moving account of that fateful day in September weaves between matter-of-fact prose and emotional, personal stories of survivors and those who perished. The one thing I would have liked was to tell some personal stories of the people who storm ...more

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Mar 02, 2014 Michele Knott rated it it was amazing

Shelves: non-fiction, read-in-2014

Excellent book to give to children to understand the events of 9.11. The book explains the events well, and does not leave out some of the darkest moments. Young readers may need an adult to help guide and discuss with them as they read, while older readers will need less guidance. A hard book to read about a very important day in our history. Don Brown, as usual, does a great job including his notes, sources and quotes.

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Sep 09, 2011 Adrienne Pettinelli added it

Shelves: nonfiction, picture-books

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. ...more

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Aug 18, 2011 katsok rated it it was amazing

Shelves: nerdy-book-club-2011

Picked this up to share with my 5th graders who weren't even born on 9/11. Very accessible for them. ...more

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Sep 04, 2011 Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: history, picture-book, mg, non-fiction, 2011-nerdies

I had shivers reading this story and remembering that morning.

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Jul 16, 2012 Stephen rated it it was amazing

Shelves: picture-books, history, social-studies

Don Brown is my favorite juvenile history author.

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Aug 01, 2016 Cosette added it

I could not read this aloud to my listener.

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Nov 12, 2016 Amy rated it it was amazing

Don Brown is the best!

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Sep 19, 2018 Montana rated it it was amazing

Shelves: classroom, own

Even though this book is a simplified version of the attacks on September 11 and meant for children it is a great account of the events that occurred. Having the story written in third person allowed for the reader to get to know many different characters in multiple locations throughout the story. I really liked that it mentioned the names of actual people, their relevance in the story (employee, firefighter, police, etc.), and their relationships (the firefighter brothers). As a future teacher ...more

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Oct 10, 2018 McKenzie English rated it it was amazing

This book goes through the events that took place during 9/11. The book starts out in the morning and how everything seemed to be a "normal" day. Then how within seconds America was turned upside down and the hours to follow.

I loved this book because I love history. It is weird to think that something I remember and could tell you all the little details about where I was are vividly in my brain and people that are just a few years younger than me do not remember it.

I would use this as a histor ...more

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Oct 30, 2018 Mackenzie Meyer rated it it was amazing

This book displays watercolor painted pictures. These help the kids visualize the events that happened on September 11.

Don Brown wrote America is Under Attack: The Day the Towers Fell for the ten year anniversary of 9/11. The book starts at the very beginning of the day. It tells of how the planes were hijacked and went through the two towers. It tells about the pentagon and the events that followed. The book showcases the men and women that died to save others lives.

I feel this book is a good ...more

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About Don Brown

Don Brown

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Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Don Brown is the award-winning author and illustrator of many picture book biographies. He has been widely praised for his resonant storytelling and his delicate watercolor paintings that evoke the excitement, humor, pain, and joy of lives lived with passion. School Library Journal has called him "a current pac ...more