Remembering September 11th: The Events, the Victims, and the Unsung Heroes

Fireboat: The Heroic Adventures of John J. Harvey, by Maira Kalman
In 1931, the John J. Harvey was the ultimate in fireboats, an essential part of the New York Fire Department. But times change, and by 2001, the Harvey was retired, destined for the scrap pile. Until September 11, when the fire hydrants at the attack site were inoperable, and the water of the Hudson River was needed to combat the burning buildings. With a little ingenuity, a team quickly got the John J. Harvey in working order, proving that she was still the best fireboat on the river. (Ages 4-8)

I Survived: The Attacks of September 11, 2001, by Lauren Tarshis
This installment in the incredibly popular I Survived series features Lucas, whose biggest problem is trying to convince his parents that football is not too dangerous of a sport. His strongest advocate is his Uncle Benny, a close family friend who works with his dad at the firehouse. So on a bright morning in September, Lucas skips school and takes the train into Manhattan to find Uncle Benny. His plan is to convince Uncle Benny to help him persuade his parents he shouldn’t have to quit his favorite sport. But just as Lucas arrives at the firehouse, the world as he knows it comes crashing down as Lucas watches, along with the rest of the world, the events of September 11, 2001 unfold. (Ages 7-10)

Saved by the Boats: The Heroic Sea Evacuation of September 11, by Julie A. Glassman and Steve Moors
Thinking back on the heroes of 9/11, we often focus on the police and fire departments. But there were others too, including rescuers who arrived not by land, but by water. These men and women rescued almost 500,00o people on September 11th, 2001. These rarely recognized individuals are honored in this book, written by one who was rescued from Manhattan Island that day. Including quotations from sea captains, additional back matter, and a glossary, this text is a welcome additional perspective to the other stories surrounding the tragedy.

America Is Under Attack: September 11, 2001: The Day the Towers Fell, by Don Brown
How to explain the events, emotions, and tragedy of that day to children who didn’t experience it? Don Brown does just that with this book. These are personal stories, humanizing the first responders, passengers, witnesses, and survivors that were part of that day, while still maintaining a straightforward account of events. The text is engaging, without being sensationalized, the tone direct, but compassionate. A good resource for both parents and teachers. (Ages 9-12)

Nine, Ten: A Septeber 11 Story, by Nora Raleigh Baskin
Unlike many of its contemporaries, this book focuses less on the event itself, and more on the 48 hours leading up to it. We meet Aimee, recently moved to L.A and  struggling to adjust to her new school while her mother is away on business in New York. There’s Brooklyn-native Sergio, whose absentee father has shown up again and thrown Sergio into another round of turmoil. In Columbus, Ohio, Naheed has never felt uncomfortable about wearing her hijab in public, but at her new school, things are different. And in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, Will confronts the one-year anniversary of his father’s death. Four children, seemingly unconnected, spread across the country, each about to be profoundly impacted by a singular event. (Ages 8-12)

Eleven, by Tom Rogers
Nothing exciting ever happens to New Yorker Alex Douglas. Life is pretty much (boringly) normal. There’s his pesky sister, and school, and the ongoing battle to convince his parents that he’s responsible enough to own a dog. So on the morning of his 11th birthday, Alex is not expecting anything special. Then school is unexpectedly let out early. His mom is stuck at work, and calls to tell him not to turn on the TV, and to look out for his sister. And a four-legged companion shows up and won’t leave Alex alone. Turns out maybe this birthday will be anything but normal. (Ages 10-12)

Towers Falling, by Jewell Parker Rhodes
New school. New neighborhood. New home. (If you can call Avalon Family Residence “home”.) That’s where Deja lives in a single room with her parents and younger siblings, the communal bathroom is down the hall, and her dad is still sick with the unexplained coughing and nightmares. Deja doesn’t expect to like school, but to her surprise, she quickly makes friends with classmates Ben and Sabeen, and she likes her new teacher, Miss Garcia. On the other hand, there’s a lot Deja doesn’t know, a lot her classmates seem to know a lot more about. Including something to do with two towers that once stood on the other side of the East River. Miss Garcia says everyone is connected, to each other, and to those towers. But why should Deja care? What does ancient history have to do with her? A gorgeously told story by the award-winning author of this year’s New York Times bestseller, Ghost Boys (Ages 8-12)

The Red Bandana (Young Reader’s Edition), by Tom Rinaldi
The adaptation of this New York Times bestseller focuses on one of the quiet heroes of 9/11. Welles Growther didn’t consider himself anything special. As a young man, he volunteered with the local fire department, before entering the world of Wall Street. He was working on the 104th floor of one of the Twin Towers the morning the towers were struck. His selfless actions that day saved many lives, though few new his name. One thing that many do remember: the red bandana. This text for slightly older readers is a powerful addition to any collection. (Ages 10+)