2012
WISE Score
Amazon
A high-stakes history lesson that manages to explain a heavy day without giving your 9-year-old a panic attack.
4.8
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Lauren Tarshis has basically mastered the art of the 'gentle disaster.' This isn't high-brow literature, and it doesn't try to be.
It’s a functional, engaging way to teach kids about 9/11 without traumatizing them. It’s the kind of book kids actually trade with each other at recess because it feels 'real' and high-stakes. If your kid is asking questions about the Twin Towers, this is the best place to start.
Best for the 8-12 crowd. It’s written simply enough for a 3rd grader but has enough tension to keep a 6th grader interested. If they're younger than 8, the concept of the towers falling might be a bit much to process alone.
The story centers on family bonds and the bravery of ordinary people. It handles a national tragedy with a focus on resilience and unity rather than just the horror of the event.
It's solid historical fiction that helps kids visualize a world before they were born, though it follows the standard, somewhat predictable 'I Survived' series formula.
It's about 9/11, so there's inherent peril, smoke, and chaos. It's 'safe' because it's written specifically for middle-grade readers to process the event without graphic gore, but the subject matter is heavy.
A fantastic gateway into modern history. It manages to weave in side topics like sports safety (concussions) while providing a clear, age-appropriate timeline of the attacks.
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