America Is Under Attack: September 11, 2001: The Day the Towers Fell (Actual Times) [Hardcover]

Don Brown (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 16, 2011 | Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

One of School Library Journal’s Best Nonfiction Books of 2011

One of Horn Book’s Best Nonfiction Books of 2011

On the ten year anniversary of the September 11 tragedy, a straightforward and sensitive book for a generation of readers too young to remember that terrible day.

 

The events of September 11, 2001 changed the world forever. In the fourth installment of the Actual Times series, Don Brown narrates the events of the day in a way that is both accessible and understandable for young readers. Straightforward and honest, this account moves chronologically through the morning, from the plane hijackings to the crashes at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Pennsylvania; from the rescue operations at the WTC site to the collapse of the buildings. Vivid watercolor illustrations capture the emotion and pathos of the tragedy making this an important book about an unforgettable day in American history.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Explaining the events of September 11, even 10 years afterward, is a task fraught with emotion. Brown's sturdy yet empathetic tone seems just right." --Publishers Weekly Online 

 

“Illustrated on every spread with line-and-wash pictures that are forthright but never sensational, the book is superbly focused and completely honest.” --Horn Book Magazine, Starred review

 

"Brown’s compelling narrative chronologically recounts the morning’s events in a tone both straightforward and compassionate, without resorting to sensationalism." --School Library Journal, starred review

 

“Brown’s take…is a model of straightforward, earnest nonfiction writing that brings things to many an uncomfortable point—that cannot be avoided—without going too far.” --Booklist

 

“Ten years’ distance from the events allows Brown to include in his carefully crafted narrative some details missing in even the best of the children’s titles released closer to September 11, 2001.” --BCCB

About the Author

Don Brown is the author and illustrator of many highly praised picture-book biographies and histories for children. He lives on Long Island, New York.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Flash Point (August 16, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596436948
• ISBN-13: 978-1596436947
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #185,167 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #76 in Books > Children's Books > Education & Reference > Politics & Government

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing account of 9/11for young readers, August 19, 2011

By 

Katieannsnana - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: America Is Under Attack: September 11, 2001: The Day the Towers Fell (Actual Times) (Hardcover)

I was riveted by this account of the events of September 11. I can not wait to read it with my Grade 5 -6 ESL students (I'll post another review then). There is plenty of factual information and the human interest stories keep the book exciting.

5.0 out of 5 stars Straightforward Explanation Describing the Events of 9/11, January 25, 2012

By 

D. Campbell "LibrarianDespot" (So Cal) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: America Is Under Attack: September 11, 2001: The Day the Towers Fell (Actual Times) (Hardcover)

This is the best book so far I have found that explains the shocking and horrifing events of September 11, 2001, to kids. My students can't get enough information about this tragic and, to them, historical, event.

"The second hijacked jetliner had crashed through the 77th to 85th floors of the South Tower. Massive flames spewed from the tower. Wreckage rained down on the street. It was 9:03 AM, seventeen minutes after the strike on the North Tower. People now understood the earlier crash was not a freak accident but a deliberate attack.

How could anyone that witnessed that event ever forget that moment of realization?

The black ink and watercolor illustrations do justice in capturing the initial bewilderment and then determination of all those involved in the efforts to save lives. The author doesn't shy away from some of the communication breakdowns that caused many firefights to perish and describes many acts of heroism. The Pentagon crash is included, and the book ends at the collapse of the towers.

It doesn't get into WHY this happened, but gives enough information for most kids as to HOW it happened.

5.0 out of 5 stars Remembering., September 12, 2011

By 

Heidi Grange (Logan, UT United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: America Is Under Attack: September 11, 2001: The Day the Towers Fell (Actual Times) (Hardcover)

At the tenth anniversary of September 11, the question arises, how do we talk to children about what happened that day. The children I work with weren't even born when it happened. How do we help students understand the event without giving more detail than is appropriate. Don Brown has answered that question beautifully. He gives the basic string of events, but he also humanizes the story by quoting and telling the experiences of some of those who were there that day. The illustrations provide context without being graphic. The use of illustrations softens things a bit. Brown doesn't shy away from the things that went wrong, the chaos, the poor communication, etc. But he doesn't focus on that, he focuses on the sacrifices made by those who chose to risk and sometimes lose their lives to aide others and that is something always worth remembering.