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America Is Under Attack: September 11, 2001: The Day the Towers Fell
Common Sense Media says
Frank picture book account of 9/11 best for older readers.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this fourth volume in the Actual Time series by Don Brown is a very straightforward, journalistic account of the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center in New York. Quotes from real people as well as their stories provide the human element, and graphic, though not gory, watercolor illustrations show the destruction of the plane crashes as well as the emotions of the people involved. Though it is written as a picture book, and suggested for ages 6 to 10, it is more appropriate for those 8 or 9 and over. Parents of any age reader definitely should be prepared to discuss the events and emotions with their children.
What's the story?
America is Under Attack is the fourth volume of Don Brown's history series for kids called Actual Times, all of which cover significant days in American history. All are written as journalistic accounts, with stories and quotes from real people. And all are illustrated with his wonderfully understated but expressive watercolors that underscore the emotional aspect of the stories.
This volume presents a chronological narrative of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, beginning with first plane crashing into the north tower at 8:46 a.m. and ending with its pancaking collapse less than two hours later. Facts are interwoven with stories and quotes from Fire Chief Joseph Pfiefer, Police Captain Anthony Whitaker, Frank De Martini, the building's construction manager, as well as other workers. Watercolor illustrations show explosions, destruction, and most of all, the facial expressions of the people amid the chaos. Brief mention is made of Osama Bin Laden and al Qaeda, the terrorists, the crashes into the Pentagon and in the field in Pennsylvania. Also, the last few pages and an Author's Note recount the numbers of people lost and the amount of wreckage left behind. A bibliography is included for further reading.
Is it any good?
This is an excellent book that finds the perfect balance between fact and feeling in describing the horrific event of 9/11. Readers who lived through that time, as well as those who were not born yet, will find value in this account, due to the straightforward presentation of facts and the masterful use of watercolor illustrations to amplify the narrative. The title, designed like a newspaper headline (the Actual Times), sets a journalistic tone, and the story that follows rings true.
What families can talk about
Besides talking about the events and emotions of the 9/11 events, families can talk about the fact that this book is written as a journalistic account, with real people and actual quotes. Even the cover looks like the front page of a newspaper. How is this different from historical fiction? Which do you prefer? What makes one better than the other?
This book looks like a picture book but is not written for the usual picture book crowd. What do you think the illustrations add that otherwise would not have been part of the story. Can you think of other books with this format?
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Kid, 12 years old
September 11, 2011
AGE
A kid-friendly telling of 9/11
America Is Under Attack is a kid-friendly telling of 9/11. It explains what happened on that day and informs readers of the tragedy, while focusing on the heroism of those who gave their lives for others. This book covers all four planes, if giving more time to the two that destroyed the twin towers. Also, it talks about how a large number of people helped others risking- or at the expense of- their own lives. It is illustrated, but the pictures are not gory or scary, rather, they are informative, but cautious, so that the book can be read by more readers. Parents will want to talk to their kids about the tragedy as well, but the book fills in most of the crucial points.
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Kid, 12 years old
November 21, 2011
AGE
*Sniffs and Cries* God bless the people who died On that day.
I've read this book before. It's pretty good. It's Violent because 3,000 people died. Talks about September 11 2001, The Day The World Trade Center crashed. Don't report this for violent speech because I'm talking about the book and What happened that day nobody ever forgot. Too bad, I always wanted to go on the World Trade Center. CURSE YOU OSAMA BEN LADIN!!!!!!! It's all his fault. Don't worry I read online in the Spring 2011, They found him and instead of bringing him to Jail, They Killed him!!! HA HA!!! He deserved it. You agree? I went to New York Last Week for Thanksgiving Vacation 2011 and I saw the memorial. Really sad :( Sometimes I wish they didn't have memorials because It may remind somebody a person loved that died on September 11. They did this because they thought the USA was a bad Country and They decided to destroy the most important buildings with planes crashing into it. Normally the World trade center and the Pentagon building were the only buildings that got destroyed in the United States. Gosh, I feel horrible for everybody who died on September 11 2001. Anyways the Book had a great message, Good role models and it was really educational. The good message is learning about it and being thankful for the people who died on September 11. The good role models are the ones who are being thankful for everybody who died. It could be really dangerous at New York that day. We remember the people who died and respect them. Never Ever Ever Ever Ever Ever Forgot by anybody.
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| Author: | Don Brown |
| Illustrator: | Don Brown |
| Book type: | Non-Fiction |
| Genre: | History |
| Publisher: | Roaring Brook Press |
| Publication date: | August 16, 2011 |
| Number of pages: | 64 |
| Hardcover price: | $16.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 6 - 10 |
| Read aloud: | 10 |
| Read alone: | 12 |
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