Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.35 AVERAGE
4.35 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The split timelines also had major cultural differences, and it was a little bit jarring at first to go back-and-forth between the two stories. But I was utterly gripped by Brandon’s account, I think this was because I knew what was coming, and I continued to read, gradually being drawn into Reshmima’s tale as well. This is a very heavy book, there’s a lot of gravity within the narrative. I think this author did a very good job of showing us from a non-biased perspective, the story of 911, and the consequences of what came from that attack.
4.5 stars. This book was a real tearjerker. Maybe because I remember 9/11, it almost hits me more than WWII stories. Brandon’s chapters were hard to read, but very well done (despite the fact that 17min sounded about two hours long - but that’s okay). I loved Brandon and Richard’s bond. Reshmina’s chapters were a bit slow at first, but then they really came together. I appreciated how the book wasn’t “Rah Rah America,” and how Reshmina challenged Taz’s perceptions. Hard to believe 9/11 was almost 20 years ago already.
challenging
dark
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The Brandon part was great but I didn't like the reshmina part
Tough read, but a necessary addition to children's historical fiction. As more time goes by between a day most of us remember like it was yesterday and generations that don't even know it happened, this will be a crucial way to relay just how significant this event was as well as help bring some perspective and understanding to our complex relationship with the middle east.
A young boy is suspended from school and forced to go to work with his father who works at the top of the South world trade center tower. While his father is distracted, he runs downstairs to buy something. Just then, the first plane hits. Half the story details his adventures of trying to reunite with his father and deal with the horror around him.
The second half of the story deals with an Afghani girl navigating life on 9/11 in 2019. She takes in an injured American solider and tries to tell him how the Americans arent really helping her country.
The second half of the story deals with an Afghani girl navigating life on 9/11 in 2019. She takes in an injured American solider and tries to tell him how the Americans arent really helping her country.
21 years later and the emotions of that day still hit me like a ton of bricks as Brandon goes through the morning. The story was well written, the alternating perspectives in the different time frames helped move the story along.
This book was definitely a page-turner - I could not put it down. One thing I loved about Ground Zero is how the author connected you with characters that made subtle appearances before, but then they turned into major characters in the story. I loved making those connections. I also really liked how it was a plot-driven book, but I felt connected to the characters as well. I also really enjoyed that in the midst of all the sadness of the book, the author slipped in a little bit of humor at some times. This book moved me to tears and most of the time when I was reading it, my heart was pounding in my chest, waiting for what would happen next. This was a really fun book to read and I learned some things about 9/11 that I didn't know before. The author's note at the end was very informative, which I liked.
Overall, this was a powerful that I recommend it to anyone who would like to learn more about 9/11.
Overall, this was a powerful that I recommend it to anyone who would like to learn more about 9/11.
Does a really good job of showing two sides of the war in Afghanistan and the 9/11 attacks.