You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.35 AVERAGE
4.35 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
adventurous
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
As usual, this author, mesmerizes and informs with each of his historical fiction novels. I know students will love the story and especially appreciate the twists it takes at the end. Looking forward to talking this one up.
Grades 5 and up.
Grades 5 and up.
I saw this book in an e-newsletter and with the twentieth anniversary of 9/11 coming up I wanted to see if it was a book my nephew could handle reading. There are advanced reader labels on it and I wasn't sure if the material would be appropriate for him. From the moment I picked this book up I was hooked. I could not put it down. You do not have to be a young reader to enjoy this one. This book is for everyone!
There are two storylines. Brandon, a nine year old boy who is in the World Trade Center with his father on the day of the attack. Then there is Reshmina, an eleven year old girl living in Afghanistan in 2019 who struggles to survive. The two stories are worlds apart, yet so similar. Gratz is able to pull the stories together at the end seamlessly.
This a great book for older kids and adults alike. I learned quite a few new things through this book. I won't lie, it (obviously) was an emotional story, but it had a good message. I'm glad I previewed this one for my nephew.
There are two storylines. Brandon, a nine year old boy who is in the World Trade Center with his father on the day of the attack. Then there is Reshmina, an eleven year old girl living in Afghanistan in 2019 who struggles to survive. The two stories are worlds apart, yet so similar. Gratz is able to pull the stories together at the end seamlessly.
This a great book for older kids and adults alike. I learned quite a few new things through this book. I won't lie, it (obviously) was an emotional story, but it had a good message. I'm glad I previewed this one for my nephew.
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
There are some very intense scenes in this book- especially during Brandon’s story about 9/11. Kids who like Gratz’ other books will list likely enjoy this one too.
I would love to have this in my future classroom and even possibly use it in my class curriculum!
I think the political commentary is very necessary and delivered very well. Gratz did a wonderful job with balancing 2 stories and I loved the parallels between them and the fact that they intertwined. I did not see that coming!
I enjoyed this very much, even more than I thought I would.
I think the political commentary is very necessary and delivered very well. Gratz did a wonderful job with balancing 2 stories and I loved the parallels between them and the fact that they intertwined. I did not see that coming!
I enjoyed this very much, even more than I thought I would.
Thank you to Edelweiss+ and the publisher for a digital eARC of this book.
Alan Gratz’s latest book, Ground Zero will have fans familiar with his books and his writing lining up to read this one as he tackles a topic that is a tough one – in time for the 20th anniversary of 9/11.
As with previous books, Gratz uses two perspectives to give us a glimpse into two parts of the world – New York City, the day of 9/11 and present-day Afghanistan. Nine-year-old Brandon is with his father in the North Tower due to his suspension. It is just him and his dad, with no one else able to look after him, Brandon has to go to work with his dad. Flash forward to the present-day, and we meet 11-year old Reshmina in war-torn Afghanistan. Reshmina puts her entire village at risk when she rescues a badly injured American soldier nicknamed Taz.
For some readers, this may be the first time they read a book about 9/11, and the story of Brandon is detailed and gut-wrenching. Readers get a feel of what happened and what individuals there that day went through. If unfamiliar with the details, I suspect many will want to know more about the events of that tragic day, leading to richer discussions.
Reshmina’s story is just as important. Alan Gratz’s research allows readers to experience Reshmina’s life and what life is like in war-torn Afghanistan. Reshmina has only lived in a country that has been ravaged by war, whether it be different countries invading her homeland or its civil war. Ground Zero shares the point of view that the people of a particular country may not see another county’s involvement as positive. It may be more harmful, placing the lives of the Afghanistan villagers in danger. The tumultuous relationship with her brother and the Taliban demonstrates how families are torn apart and will allow for discussions about global and internal relationships.
Those familiar with Refugee may go ahhhhh, he did it again tying these two stories together told years apart, and I must admit it is a great way to sync them and provide hope. I would be remiss if I did not mention that despite the research that Gratz did for this novel – he did not reach out to an #ownvoices author. Having an author from Afghanistan co-write or even consult today is something that editors and publishers need to be on the look-out, and then suggest/guide authors to ensure that all voices are heard and represented.
Alan Gratz’s latest book, Ground Zero will have fans familiar with his books and his writing lining up to read this one as he tackles a topic that is a tough one – in time for the 20th anniversary of 9/11.
As with previous books, Gratz uses two perspectives to give us a glimpse into two parts of the world – New York City, the day of 9/11 and present-day Afghanistan. Nine-year-old Brandon is with his father in the North Tower due to his suspension. It is just him and his dad, with no one else able to look after him, Brandon has to go to work with his dad. Flash forward to the present-day, and we meet 11-year old Reshmina in war-torn Afghanistan. Reshmina puts her entire village at risk when she rescues a badly injured American soldier nicknamed Taz.
For some readers, this may be the first time they read a book about 9/11, and the story of Brandon is detailed and gut-wrenching. Readers get a feel of what happened and what individuals there that day went through. If unfamiliar with the details, I suspect many will want to know more about the events of that tragic day, leading to richer discussions.
Reshmina’s story is just as important. Alan Gratz’s research allows readers to experience Reshmina’s life and what life is like in war-torn Afghanistan. Reshmina has only lived in a country that has been ravaged by war, whether it be different countries invading her homeland or its civil war. Ground Zero shares the point of view that the people of a particular country may not see another county’s involvement as positive. It may be more harmful, placing the lives of the Afghanistan villagers in danger. The tumultuous relationship with her brother and the Taliban demonstrates how families are torn apart and will allow for discussions about global and internal relationships.
Those familiar with Refugee may go ahhhhh, he did it again tying these two stories together told years apart, and I must admit it is a great way to sync them and provide hope. I would be remiss if I did not mention that despite the research that Gratz did for this novel – he did not reach out to an #ownvoices author. Having an author from Afghanistan co-write or even consult today is something that editors and publishers need to be on the look-out, and then suggest/guide authors to ensure that all voices are heard and represented.
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No