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September 11th 2001
A story of a boy who is visiting his dad the day the towers are hit
September 11th 2019
A Afghanistan girl tries to save the life of a American soldier against her brothers protest.

This story is told from two points of view and both are action packed. Brandon goes to work with his dad on the 107th floor of the North Tower of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, and Reshmina meets American soldiers in a village in Afghanistan on September 11, 2019. I appreciated the weaving together of the two stories for a broader perspective, but I was slightly more invested in Brandon‘s story.

#MiddleGrade #TRS2022 #audiobook

I have to say, my knowledge on 9/11 was pretty grim but, this book goes way in-detail about the events of the day and that‘s why I for sure give this book a 5/5.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Hands down, the best MG/YA 9/11 novel available and I‘ve read quite a few.
Follow 9-year-old Brandon as he is separated from his dad and tries to escape the North Tower on 9/11 and young Afghani Reshmina as she and her family face the lasting affects on their ravaged country because of a 9/11 they know nothing about. This book explains a bit of the “how we got here” history of Afghanistan in simple terms kids will understand.

Beautiful written and great details about the how and why of the attack on the World Trade Center and the ensuing war on terror. This would make a great read aloud for social studies students (and beyond). #hardhistory #Afghanistan #NYC

“It isn‘t me against the world, Brandon realized. It‘s everyone, working together. And not against the world either, but for each other.” What an INTENSE, important, and informative read-told from alternating settings and points of view. Gratz always deftly narrates the toughest scenes with such clarity and sensitivity. #MGMarch #middlegrademarch Book 24 @Eggs

I was in 9th grade chorus when we got the news about the attack on the twin towers. I remember being glued to the tv not believing what my eyes were seeing. I had a lump in my throat the whole book knowing the awful end that was coming. I did like how both of the characters, Brandon who was in the towers on 9/11 and Reshmina who lived in Afghanistan on 9/11 in 2019 where connected. I didn‘t see the connection until the end.

I was in 8th grade when this happened and I remember watching it on the news the whole day- this book did a really good job with what happened and showing different points of view. Loved it!

Not for me. While both parts were propulsive, they weren‘t equally well done. I feel like Resmina‘s part was a missed #ownvoices opportunity. I resented that it seemed like she was there to [spoiler in comments]

Not sure about this one. The boy in NYC parts are good, feel like Gratz should have partnered with another author to write the Girl in Afghanistan parts. #audiostitching