Molly and the Twin Towers: A 9/11 Survival Story

Girls Survive

by Jessika Fleck, Jane Pica (Illustrator)

Life in lower Manhattan is normal for Molly, her dads, and younger sister. But on September 11, 2001, everything changes. Molly and her younger sister, Adeline, are at school when the first plane hits the World Trade Center. When the Twin Towers fall, the city is thrown into chaos. Papa, a pilot, is flying, Dad can't be reached, and Gran, an EMT with the New York Fire Department, is at Ground Zero. It's up to Molly to find her sister and navigate a city she no longer recognizes.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Survival, Middle Grade, Childrens, Fiction, Historical, LGBT

112 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2021

About the author

Jessika Fleck is a writer, voracious coffee drinker, and knitter—she sincerely hopes to one day discover a way to do all three at once. Until then, she continues failing to resurrect house plants, taking care of museum collections, and slowly working toward goal of becoming a genuine 'cat lady'. Her YA fantasy, BEWARE THE NIGHT (Macmillan), received a coveted starred review from School Library Journal. Her most recent project, THE CURSE OF GREAT WINTER ACADEMY (A Choose Your Own Adventure book) releases May 6, 2025! More at www.jessikafleck.com

Reviews

[Jennybeast · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good one -- really captured the shock and fear and uncertainty in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. Molly and her family are relatable, kind and caring. Love that Gran is an EMT. Love that there's a brief discussion of surrogacy and that Molly's Dads are so great. I'm also impressed with how believable the story is, and that it manages to incorporate 3 key perspectives -- pilots, EMTs, and people nearby when the towers fell.

[WPS · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very sweet and well thought out read. Despite the tough subject matter, the author framed everything masterfully for the targeted age of readership (but as an adult, I still thoroughly enjoyed it—this book wasn’t only for my kids!). The historical references make this book educational and it also touches on ptsd, tragedy, gay marriage, and mixed families. The author packed so much into this short story but did so in a perfectly balanced way! Mostly, the overarching message is hope and the book ends in that light. I absolutely recommend. It’s a must have for every classroom and children’s home library.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the worst installment of the Girls Survive series that I have read so far, due to the waste of space with the initial framing story and the detachment of the 9/11 narrative. Absolutely, people who experience traumatic events can filter them in a very detached way, even reporting their stories afterwards with a sense of emotional remove. However, it doesn't make for a good reading experience, and the very rushed, summary-focused ending made this even worse.

The book starts out with Molly, her sister, and her dads reading and discussing a bedtime story. There's a whole bunch of chat about Red Riding Hood to introduce the family and a grandmother, and Molly talks about how she wants to read Frankenstein soon, even though her younger sister is very easily scared. This never goes anywhere, and in such a short book, the unnecessary material takes a toll.

There is also a brief reference to surrogacy in this opening section. When Molly describes herself and her sister, she notes the ways that she looks like one father and her sister looks like their other father. She then says that they look different because their dads used different surrogates. She doesn't explain what this means, and doesn't mention that they also look different because they have different biological fathers.

Even aside from my strong opinions about the ethics of surrogacy, this is not a good way to introduce the topic to children. If the author was going to bring it up as a way to build a family, then she at least needed to explain what this means. The vague, incomplete reference is very confusing, and since the book never revisits the topic again, I don't think it should be mentioned at all, unless the author wanted to waste even more of her page count on additional explanation.

After all of this set-up, the story gets moving with Molly and her sister going to their schools on Tuesday morning. When the attacks occur, Molly's school begins to evacuate, but she is sure that her sister won't be evacuating properly in her school. One of their fathers is a pilot, and because her sister is so easily scared, she deduces that she will have run away and hidden somewhere. She ends up abandoning her group, along with a male friend who accompanies her, and they go after her sister instead of cooperating with the adults.

Molly's instinct is correct, and they do rescue her sister, but the book never adequately addresses how unsafe, reckless, and foolish it was for Molly and her friend to take off by themselves. Certainly, it's the kind of thing that can happen, but I think that the book should directly and fully address how wrong this was, making it clear to children that they shouldn't do something similar in the event of a disaster.

The rest of the story involves the three kids trying to get to safety. The narrative voice throughout is extremely detached, and all of the descriptions of the Twin Towers collapsing, or people's interactions on the street, all seem very removed and non-emotional, to the point where it seemed like the author was working from a checklist of details to include. I never felt connected to the story or what was happening, and I read this without any emotion, after having cried through I Survived the Attacks of September 11, 2001: A Graphic Novel and the Ranger in Time book Escape from the Twin Towers. I would highly recommend these books as alternatives to this title, because they are much better in every way.

After the children reach safety, the rest of the book reads in an even more detached manner, summarizing what it was like for Manhattan residents to deal with the aftermath of the disaster. The book covers a lengthy span of time in very few pages, rattling off what happened, describing the characters' reactions, and saying that they all went to therapy and got diagnosed with PTSD. The exposition is all very rushed, clinical, and disconnected from the emotional core of the disaster, and I found this very disappointing.

If a kid wants to read the whole Girls Survive series, then parents should know that this book may require additional discussion and explanation, both about the unexplained concept of surrogacy and about what children should do in a disaster instead of running off from adults and their evacuation group like Molly did. I would not recommend this to anyone, unless they wanted to read this entire series, and would highly recommend the books I linked to above as excellent alternatives.

[Stephanie Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent book in this series.
As the author states in her notes at the end, writing about September 11, 2001 was difficult because she’d lived through that tragic time, but remembering the events firsthand was also helpful.
Through the eyes and voice of 12-year-old Molly, readers are taken back to that morning, one in which the skies were beautiful, clear, and blue. She expresses her terror as the events unfold, knowing that her Dad and Gran (a pilot and EMT, respectively), could be involved. However, for the sake of her younger sister, Adi, Molly manages to hold herself together, in order to get them to safety. She’s old enough to know that after this day, she’s different, as well as the world she knew before, and fears that nothing will ever be the same…
Great historical fiction for middle-grade readers, guaranteed to spark an interest in history!

[sara]

this girl with gay dads on 9/11 audiobook with a side of fortnite was a really enlightening way to start my day

[Kristy Alley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful, beautifully written story with a hopeful and empowering message for kids. As a school librarian, I highly recommend it for middle grade classrooms and libraries!

[Tammy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I often worry that I am an overly generous critic. I love nearly everything I read. My reading history is littered with 4 and 5 star reviews. Rarely do I give out a 3 (“meh”) or a 2 (“I’m sorry I wasted my time”). But this was just AWFUL. Bad writing, terrible dialogue, no character development, no literary devices, unrealistic storyline, overly simplistic treatment of a complex historical event, no nuance, no humanity. There’s nothing at all redeeming here. For younger readers, chose “This Very Tree” written and illustrated by Sean Rubin. For middle grade and young adult readers, chose “Ground Zero” by Alan Gratz. Both excellent reads and outstanding alternatives.

[Mimi Batata · Rating 1 out of 5]

My mother was actually in New York at this time when the Twin Towers fell. I was interested in the topic, so I got this book. Oh my gosh, how this book was. There was pretty much no character action except for running. Please correct me if I got this wrong, I read it a while ago. I mean, running is ideal but it would be a lot more interesting if like her sister was stuck in the tower or that they had a field trip in the tower before it crashed.
Not my kind of story.

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I missed in the description that there are two dads. This point was focused on in the beginning and end of the book, including talking about how the girls look different because they have different surrogates. The last chapter mentioned the dads bed. I enjoyed the middle of the book regarding the story of the girls and their experience with 9/11, but the political agenda at the beginning and end is too much for a third grade level.

[superawesomekt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Battle of the Books 2023-24

Book 7 of 16 (see footer for other selections and reviews)

I think this was selected for OBOB because it ticks a diversity box (Molly has two dads) and because it is about 9/11. Generally, I think this book handles both topics in a very age-appropriate way for 3-5 grade. Do I find it to be exceptionally well written and compelling? Not really. One of last year's historical selections was the memoir Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio, which is a tough act to follow. My children and I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook together. Another historical selection Rescue on the Oregon Trail, was just okay, and this may be more in that camp. I confess that I would, of course, love to see all OBOB selections be exceptional :)

Aside from my personal preferences as a reader, there are two issues parents / teachers should be aware of when recommending this book:

1) Molly (the main character) does not follow emergency protocol at her school; I have grade school children who practice fire drills, shooter drills, etc. and the entire purpose of these drills is to help them practice and commit to following the safety protocol. Obviously there can be exceptions, but they are generally risky and I didn't think this aspect was handled well. Maybe because it was an extremely unusual circumstance it is okay? This was not really addressed in the book, so parents / teachers will want to discuss this with their reader(s).

2) Surrogacy is mentioned without adquate explanation / definition, so why mention it at all? I think the author wanted to show a family where the dads have children that are biologically connected rather than adopted, but this introduces significantly complicated, and sometimes controversial, topics of IVF, surrogacy ethics, etc. Parents / teachers should be aware that students may have questions about this.

Full List of 2023-24 OBOB selections 3-5 Grades
The List of Things That Will Not Change ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ways to Make Sunshine ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rez Dogs ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Allergic ⭐⭐⭐
Swim Team ⭐⭐⭐
Zeus and the Thunderbolt of Doom (not the graphic novel) ⭐⭐
Molly and the Twin Towers: A 9/11 Survival Story ⭐⭐
A True Home ⭐⭐
Flor and Miranda Steal the Show
The Jumbies
The Lion of Mars
The Midnight Children
New from Here
When You Trap a Tiger
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

[Joey Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heavy this was very heavy, it’s not often that you find a book covering a piece of history you were actually alive for. I remember it very well and I remember people around me having lost people during it. I remember my Nana’s panic as she all the way here in England was screaming in the streets they’re coming down, the buildings have been hit they’re coming down , at the exact time that it actually was happening in New York. It was such a scary piece of history that I think everyone has a story to share about it no matter where in the world you are, it was felt all over.

The story in the book follows Molly and her sister Adi, on what was a normal day for them, their papa was off doing his job flying his plane to St. Louis, their gran was an EMT, they were off to school. But before anyone knew anything had happened to the buildings they could see clear as day out the school window that the buildings were filled with smoke. Then having to stay strong, get as far away from what was happening and protecting her little sister. What Molly witnesses within this book is horrors you couldn’t imagine, being so close to all that happens that day, seeing it all, hearing it all.

This was a wonderfully written story, I really liked the family dynamic that was created within this book, I like that she’d created jobs for the family that left you worrying the whole time, I liked how brave Molly was, how determined to get to safety and protect her sister she was. It’s a very haunting story and the book does such a good job of sharing everything that happened in that event in history. We also had harrowing illustrations of the whole event, though always hard to look at were very great illustrations.

We go through each and every step of the day with Molly, from the first fire to learning about the plane crash, to the smoke going all over manhattan, to the second hit, to trying to get to safety, to worrying about family, friends and even strangers that would have been there, to suddenly witnessing the collapse. It’s so devastating and realistic, you can feel everything whilst you read the story, your heart racing alongside Molly’s.

A tough but important topic to be covered and as far as I’m aware the first of its kind to be published, it’s strange that it’s history and that 2001 was so long ago, when you think about it it still seems so relevant and recent almost. I’m really impressed with this book, with the topic covered and how it was explained and dealt with.

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve read a number of books from the Girls Survive series and so far this is the first book that hasn’t been a solid winner. Maybe it’s because I was alive for this time in history unlike the other events I’ve read about. Whatever it was, I felt that something was lacking.

On the morning of September 11th, 2001, twelve-year-old Molly hears an explosion outside of her classroom window. Before the kids can figure out what’s going on, the entire school is being evacuated. Refusing to leave without her seven-year-old sister Adeline, she breaks away from her teachers to find her. Molly, Adeline, and Molly’s friend Zach desperately try to make it home as they witness the attacks unfold.

There were a lot of side details that didn’t need to be included in the story which ate up several pages that would have been better spent on the Twin Towers. Had I not read previous books in the series I might not have questioned it as much, assuming the details were being watered down for young readers. However, that hasn’t been the case in most of the other books I’ve read. Not shying away from the depth of the tragedies is something I’ve admired and what keeps me coming back. That’s not to say Molly and the Twin Towers: A 9/11 Survival Story excluded the details, but it spent more time on Molly’s life rather than the tragedy itself. (For example, multiple pages about reading books that didn’t correlate to the plot at all. If anything, it just tells the reader that Adeline is easily spooked, but any child or adult alike would have been in fight-or-flight mode in that vicinity. A sentence or two would have sufficed.)

Again, I don’t know how much of my own experiences with that day/time influenced my thoughts while reading. I’m sure a child who had been born after this date would still learn something, though I wouldn’t consider it to be a thorough history lesson. Ultimately, I’m glad it was included in the series at all given how far back in time some of the other books go.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

honestly it still feels too soon to have a kids book about this - but then again there is an entire series of "I Survived" disaster kids books that appear to be pretty popular so maybe there are just some morbid or anxious kids that need to feed something in their psyches. This books is a 2024 Oregon Battle of the Books book that was assigned to my kiddo and I will give it props for handling the intensity fairly well - it's focused on Molly and her sister Adi who attend a connected middle school-elementary school a few blocks away from the Twin Towers and starts the night before 9/11/01. One of Molly's dads is an airline pilot flying to St Louis the morning of and his mother, "Gran," who lives with them is still going strong as an EMT with the fire department that services the Twin Towers area so the stakes were pretty high, especially as I could not recall the destinations of the 4 hijacked planes. But most of the action follows Molly searching for her sister in the middle of the chaos of Manhattan and running from the debris when each tower collapses. 9yo did pretty well with the drama until I mentioned what I was doing that day and then she kind of freaked out realizing this happened in her mom's lifetime. I rather wish the OBOB disaster had been the Titanic or something more removed.

[Maura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short chapter book is a gentle but realistic introduction to the events of 9/11 in New York City from the perspective of Molly, a middle schooler who witnesses the attack on the Twin Towers from her school nearby and has to navigate the city with her friend Zach and younger sister Adi with no cell service, no way to know the fate of her EMT grandmother or pilot father, and no idea what might happen next. While the chapters are short and simple, they realistically convey the fear, oppressive smoke and ash, and sense that everything had shifted and nothing would ever be the same again. The grief for the people in the towers, the fear for the first responders, the confusion about passenger jets: it is all here, but from the perspective of a child. The final chapters matter-of-factly address anxiety and PTSD and how the entire family made adjustments to cope with their trauma, and it ends on a hopeful note.

Suitable for readers in grades 2-6, it is a worthy addition to an elementary library collection. Its cartoonish cover may limit its appeal to younger grades.

[Gullis lästips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kommer du ihåg vad du gjorde den 11 september 2001?

Boken ”Molly och den 11 september” är en dramatisk skildring av terrorattacken den 11 september 2001.

Detta är en dramatisk och historiskt spännande berättelse som är baserat på verkliga händelser och är den sjunde boken i den fristående bokserien ”Överlevarna”, som berättar om historiska händelser utifrån flickors perspektiv.

Boken ”Molly och 11 september” är ett måste att läsa för att lära den nya generationen effekten av 9/11.

Trots det svåra ämnet inramar författaren allt mästerligt för den avsedda läsekretsåldern och skriver en spänningsfylld kapitelbok med högt tempo och många cliffhangers.

Boken är ett lärorik samtalsunderlag för hur historiska ögonblick påverkar oss än idag och kan använda
som komplement när man studerar historia, terrorism, mänskliga rättigheter och demokrati. Boken berör även ämnen som ptsd, tragedi, homosexuella äktenskap och blandade familjer.

Det här är en överlevnadshistoria centrerat kring en tragisk händelse, men som ändå är fylld med hopp och kärlek!

Det är ett måste för alla klassrum och skolbibliotek!

Här kan ta del av den fullständiga bokrecensionen:
https://www.gullislastips.se/2023/09/...

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this for two reasons. First, to see if it would be right for my nieces (9 and 11 yrs). Second, I was just really curious how the writer was going to approach it. I mean, it’s essentially a real life horror story being written for children…it’s a challenge. Well, in my humble opinion, she did a pretty great job! I’m well past the age of the target audience, but I was sucked right in, and on the edge of my seat, so I’m sure it will hold the attention of my nieces. The gravity of the day was communicated without getting graphic. I think it’s perfect for the 9 yr old, and since the main character is the same age as my older niece (and since I liked it, too), I’m going to get them both a copy. It’s not a deep dive, but it does a good job of furthering the conversation. This being the 20th anniversary of 9/11, it’s been all over tv and social media, and they’re bound to have questions.

[Sarah Odom · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written very well. In which one would have had to live during or really put themselves their. I really liked how the book captured the before, during and after parts of the tragic event. I was not alive for 9/11 but this really put into perspective the feelings felt. I would totally recommend this book for young readers who can grasp the concept of the book. However I will mention that their are two dads in the book. But overall, super great story and I really left like I was there!

[Katrina Kuhn · Rating 4 out of 5]

My inner 11-year-old cannot resist the historical fiction section of the children’s books at the library. I stumbled on the Girls Survive series, and of course had to read Molly and the Twin Towers.

I was 11 during 9/11, so this felt poignant to me even though my parent wasn’t a pilot and I didn’t live in NYC. But the author does a great job conveying the emotions surrounding that day as a preteen — being scared, anxious, and realizing this was a life changing, historical moment.

Looking forward to checking out more books in the series.

[Ellen Pederson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I could see this book being a good first intro to the events of 9/11, but not much more than that. The characters have very little depth (not sure if it's the writing or just the fact that it's a short book.) The non-9/11-related parts of the story often distract more than enhance, and there were a few spots where the author gave a definition of words in a way that made it read like a textbook.

To the folks giving 1-2 stars because MC's parents are gay, welcome to the world. Some people have two dads.

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

OBOB book for 2024 - part of the Girls Survive series which has become a new hit in the library for those kids who loved the I Survived history fiction books but with female protagonists (finally).
Focused on two sisters of two dads who live in a Tribeca apartment and experience 9-11 up (too) close and manage to find their way home - solid middle grade book that reads fast and offers a realistic view of our national history.

[Cindi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful, emotional, gripping. Yet also a good way to introduce older children who didn't live through this to the story.

Spoiler Alert:
.
.
.
.
.
.
The whole family is safe. It takes a painful amount of time to find that out though so putting it here in case anyone needs that kind of assurance before diving into such a painful topic.

[Carrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really hoping that this was going to be a great and powerful story of survival. I didn't think it would take much, but this one fell short. For such an emotional experience, there was barely any character emotion. I think she tried to cover to much of the 9/11 experience, her dad a pilot, her gran an EMT, her school in the dust zone with view of towers, just too much!

[Morgan (youarethelibrarian) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could have been more emotionally hard-hitting, and I wish the aftermath had been focused on more, especially since PTSD was mentioned at the end. Since these are so short, again I felt we didn’t really get to know the characters very well.

[Librarian Jessie (BibliophileRoses) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel was good overall. The writing style wasn’t necessarily spectacular. But I applaud the author for diversity, & for capturing the tragedy of 9/11 without having it be personal to the main character.

[Kathleen A · Rating 5 out of 5]

A riveting account of 9/11 and the story of one family’s journey that day and the days to follow. A well written account written with accuracy, kindness, and a sense of hope. A story every American child should read! More personal because I lived it from afar!

[Dory King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read aloud with Hazel for OBOB prep. It is amazing how fresh the tragedy of 9/11 still felt reading this historical fiction account. I couldn’t help but feel devastated for the people living through present day atrocities of war.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

i’m 20. i had absolutely no reason to read this book other than my birthday was 2 years after 9/11.

that being said for younger readers this is a great read to see a more empathetic side of 9/11, rather than knowing dates and numbers

[Marie Davis · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is not a neutral story. A quick read of the back cover will give you the real purpose of this book. It is pushing an agenda on kids.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus or Netgalley

[Pat Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

A realistic depiction of 9/11 from a child's point of view