It's strange, sometimes, to think that children who witnessed 9/11 and its immediate aftermath are now adults. The horrific events of the day seem so recent and I imagine we all remember exactly what we were doing when the news of the towers falling reached our ears. Finding a way to talk about tragic events with children can seem daunting. These books about 9/11 can help.
Below are some wonderful picture books, poetry and novels to help children learn about, and remember the events of 9/11. Never Forget.
Note: this list contains Amazon and Bookshop affiliate links. Purchases made through these links may earn a commission for this blog. Bookshop also supports independent bookstores.
Picture Books
The following books offer a gentle introduction to the towers and the heroic efforts of first responders. At what age you want to start the discussion of 9/11 is a parental judgement call. I suggest parents preview the books and make their own determination.
To share the joys of New York City read the books on my list of picture books set in New York City. Children may also enjoy coloring in the skyline in this New York City coloring page created by NYC illustrator, Melanie Hope Greenberg.
Smoke at the Pentagon: Poems to Remember by Jacqueline Jules, illustrated by Eszter Anna Rácz
This beautiful book is a collection of twenty poems written from the point of view of students in the Arlington, Virginia and the Pentagon communities, who lived through 9/11. The poems are arranged chronologically with the first poem revealing a child's observations when her teacher reads the news in an email to the final poem, which describes seeing the 9/11 memorial. A unique book which will allows readers to contemplate the way large events effect small moments in our lives. Here's a teacher's guide to using the book. Ages 7 and up.
Branches of Hope: The 9/11 Survivor Tree by Ann Magee, illustrated by Nicole Wong
There are a few books about a Callery pear tree that survived the attack on the twin towers and this title is a lovely way to approach a conversation about the tragic events that unfolded on 9/11. The story follows the path of one NYC family before, during and after 9/11. Both the tree and the family grow and change, symbolizing the continuation of life and the determined spirit of both humanity and nature. Ages 5 and up.
This Very Tree: A Story of 9/11, Resilience, and Regrowth by Sean Rubin
This is the story of the Callery pear tree that survived the attack, told from its point of view. The tree details life before, during and after 9/11,. It describes it's place in the natural world as a place of refuge for animals and a sign of spring along with its transfer to Bronx and then its return home. The message is quiet, comforting and one of hope and regeneration. Ages 4 and up.
For yet another book about the Callery pear tree read: Survivor Tree by Marcie Colleen, illustrated by Aaron Becker.
The Man Who Walked Between the Towers by Mordicai Gerstein
This stunning book tells the story of funambulist (there's your word of the day!) Philippe Petit's 1974 feat. The dizzying views and magnificent skyline in the illustrations is accompanied by a poetic and spare text. The book ends with an acknowledgement that the towers are no longer standing, but the overall tone of the book is optimistic and a tribute to both the towers and the daring ingenuity of Petit. Ages 4 and up.
Fireboat: The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey by Maira Kalman
A look at the history of a single fireboat offers an entry point for discussion about the events of 9/11 for young children. The focus is on the first responders and, as Mr. Rogers put it, "the helpers." The John J. Harvey fireboat was saved from the scrapheap in 1995, when fireboats were no longer used to fight fires. But then 9/11 happened and the John J. Harvey was called into action. Ages 5 and up.
14 Cows for America by Carmen Agra Deedy and Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah, illustrated by Thomas Gonzales
This true story of kindness reminds readers of the goodness in the world. After studying in the US to be a doctor, Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah returns home to Kenya where he tells of the tragic events he witnessed when he was in New York on September 11. In the tradition of the Maasai people, Naiyomah asks for his cow to be blessed as an offering to the hurting Americans. His request prompts others to follow and a traditional ceremony is held for fourteen cows. The illustrations are gorgeous. Ages 4 and up.
MORE: Picture Books about Kindness
America Is Under Attack: September 11, 2001: The Day the Towers Fell by Don Brown
Brown's informational picture book about September 11 is straightforward and sensitive in its retelling of the events. Brown tells the story with detail, including quotes from eye witnesses and first responders. Simple but powerful watercolor illustrations are the perfect accompaniment. Bibliography included; ages 7 and up (preview text if concerned about content).
Chapter Books
Ranger in Time: Escape from the Twin Towers by Kate Messner, illustrated by Kelley McMorris
The Ranger in Time series centers on a time traveling golden retriever with search and rescue training. It's that training which comes in handy when he travels back to September 2001. In this story, Ranger helps a girl who goes with her mom to the twin towers, but is separated from her during the attacks. Ages 7 and up.
I Survived the Attacks of September 11th, 2001 by Lauren Tarshis, illustrated by Scott Dawson
The I Survived series is popular with late elementary school-aged kids. In each book the protagonists face a dangerous historical moment but gain strength and confidence surviving the events. The series is full of facts and appeals especially to reluctant readers. In this installment, Lucas finds himself at the firehouse with his Uncle Benny when the attack on the World Trade Center occurs. Lucas, Benny and his father assist with the rescue efforts. Ages 8 and up.
MORE: Survival stories for middle grade readers
Middle Grade Books
Yusuf Azeem Is Not a Hero by Saadia Faruqi
Twelve-year-old, Pakistani-American, Yusuf lives in a small town in Texas. He's excited about sixth grade and competing in a robotics competition. However, it's the 20th anniversary of 9/11, racist bullies are leaving notes in his locker, and some in the community are protesting against a local mosque. When Yusuf's teacher assigns the students to write about 9/11, Yusuf turns to his uncle's diary from that time. A thoughtful portrayal of the ways communities deal with prejudice, anger and identity. Ages 10 and up.
Ground Zero by Alan Gratz
Two voices tell their stories in alternating chapters. On the morning of September 11, 2001, Brandon accompanies his father to work at the restaurant, Windows on the World. When the planes hit the towers, Brandon is on a lower level and is separated from his father. In Afghanistan, September 11, 2020, Reshmina hopes that she can one day put her education to use and be part of a peaceful country. When her village is attacked she helps a wounded US soldier. Both children struggle with loss, pain and while the ending offers no easy answers, the story is moving, fast paced and unputdownable. Ages 9 and up.
Broken Strings by Eric Walters and Kathy Kacer
Shirli loves acting and singing. She gets a part in the school production of Fiddler on the Roof, and even though it is not the role she wanted, she throws herself into it. Shirli regularly visits her grandfather, a Holocaust survivor. One day, Shirli finds a violin in his attic, which is odd, as she understands her grandfather never wants to listen music. Slowly Shirli learns her grandfather's dark story, and when the musical production loses its director, Shirli's grandfather takes up his violin once again. The action of this story takes place in the wake of 9/11 and the characters reflect upon the current state of racial and religious prejudice in their community. Ages 9 and up.
MORE: Middle Grade Books with Jewish Protagonists
Throwback (series) by Peter Lerangis
Throwback is the first book in a time travel series. Corey Fletcher is a secret time traveler, or "Throwback," who uses a metal object from any era in order to travel back to that specific time. He wonders if he is actually a legendary Throwback who has the power to fix past events so he travels back to 2001 in an attempt to save his grandmother who died on 9/11. However, he then finds himself unexpectedly in 1917 and another traveler makes the journey to 9/11. Ages 9 and up.
MORE: Books about time travel
Somewhere Among by Annie Donwerth-Chikamatsu, illustrated by Sonia Chaghatzbanian
This year, Ema is not going to spend summer in California, as usual. She and her mother, who is experiencing a difficult pregnancy, will be moving in with Ema's grandparents in Japan. Ema looks forward to meeting her baby sister but she is confused by her grandmother's strict rules and cold manner. But then, the terrorist attack occurs in her mother's home country, and illness befalls the family at home. The events help Ema understand her grandmother better and she witnesses her kindness. Donwerth-Chikamatsu uses verse to tell this lovely story of survival and learning. Ages 9 and up.
MORE: Memoirs for Children Written in Verse
Nine, Ten: A September 11 Story by Nora Raleigh Baskin
Four children, an African-American boy, a Muslim-American girl, a Jewish girl, and a white boy are all at Chicago's O'Hare airport on September 11, 2001. All of them are touched in different and personal ways by the terrorist attacks. Baskin tells their stories in the days before 9/11 as well as after. The telling of these four interconnected stories is emotional and often tense, but it is extremely moving. Ages 10 and up.
Towers Falling by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Fifteen years after September 11, 2001, fifth grader, Dèja Barnes, goes to a school in NYC with a diverse student population. Her teacher has a lesson plan for teaching the class about 9/11 but Dèja doesn't like to think about history or the past. She has enough to worry about while her family is living in a homeless shelter. She and two other classmates, Ben and Sabeen, work together on the project, and in doing so, learn not just about history, but about themselves and their community. Ages 9 and up.
Shooting Kabul by N. H. Senza
After Fadi's father is pressured by the Taliban, the family claims asylum and moves to San Francisco. Horrifyingly, on the way over the border to Pakistan, Fadi's six year old sister is lost in the chaos. Fadi feels responsible and enters a photography contest in the hopes of winning a trip to India, where he thinks he can cross into Pakistan to search for her. A few months after moving, September 11 happens and Fadi feels the changes in the dynamic of the community and his school. Although Fadi doesn't win the contest, his photography efforts lead to a reunion with his lost sister. Ages 10 and up.
Leave a Reply