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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
I started reading this as a read-aloud with my 11 year old, and I finished it on my own. I liked the story, as did my daughter, but it works better as a silent read than a read-aloud. Recommended for students in Grades 3 and up who are curious about 9/11.
How can a book about 9/11 not be about 9/11? For much of this book, the narrative is about the characters and their backstories before focusing much more on the Twin Towers toward the end. There were a few story points that were a bit frustrating to me, but I understand that Rhodes is gearing the story toward upper elementary/middle school students.
There are some great lines in the book; some of my favorites are
Sabeen, "who doesn't have an off switch for happy" (which changed)
"No matter how sassy I am, Ben and Sabeen don't mind."
I've seen many other reviews mention the possibility of students not knowing about 9/11, although I believe Rhodes explains that somewhat in her Author's Note. I appreciate that she consulted the staff at the Brooklyn New School.
As an educator, one of my most lasting impressions from this book will be wondering about students like Deja who are homeless, even temporarily. What happens to the ones who do not have the supports that she ultimately had? How many homeless students end up at schools like the fictional Brooklyn Collective? And, I certainly hope that there are not others who were working at the World Trade Center on 9/11 who still did not have needed support fifteen years later.
There are some great lines in the book; some of my favorites are
Sabeen, "who doesn't have an off switch for happy" (which changed)
"No matter how sassy I am, Ben and Sabeen don't mind."
I've seen many other reviews mention the possibility of students not knowing about 9/11, although I believe Rhodes explains that somewhat in her Author's Note. I appreciate that she consulted the staff at the Brooklyn New School.
As an educator, one of my most lasting impressions from this book will be wondering about students like Deja who are homeless, even temporarily. What happens to the ones who do not have the supports that she ultimately had? How many homeless students end up at schools like the fictional Brooklyn Collective? And, I certainly hope that there are not others who were working at the World Trade Center on 9/11 who still did not have needed support fifteen years later.
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I picked this up at a thrift store without realizing it was meant for a younger crowd, but I decided to give it a go anyway. I like how the story focused on the people affected by 9/11 in various ways, including Sabeen, a Muslim girl, and the racism and Islamophobia her family has faced since the attack. It was deep, especially for a book geared toward younger readers.
A good middle grade introduction to 9/11, but I didn’t love the main character
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Grades: 3 (with content guidance)-5
Something that stands out to me in this book is the mystery behind Deja's father, and the way his mental health and physical health seem to connect into one.
Grades: 3 (with content guidance)-5
Something that stands out to me in this book is the mystery behind Deja's father, and the way his mental health and physical health seem to connect into one.
14 minutes in and I'm DNF-ing. I want to come back to it at some point and read the physical book but the narration of the audiobook is so grating and obnoxious, I just don't think I could handle 4 hours of this.
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
challenging
informative
inspiring
medium-paced