America Is Under Attack: September 11, 2001: The Day the Towers Fell by Don Brown recounts the events of September 11 in a way that is easy to comprehend for children who were either very young or had not even been born yet when the attacks occurred. 
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I picked up this book. Would it be too harsh a reminder of incidents still horrifically recent in the minds of many adults? Turns out the tone is pitch perfect for the targeted age group. Moving through the day’s happenings in chronological order, spotlighting personal stories of heroism and tragedy, makes the chaos of the day more easy to understand as a whole, and much more human.
Don Brown also illustrated this book. His watercolors capture the movement and sense of disarray of the events of the day, yet the softer lines and caricature style lessen the emotional impact enough that the reader isn’t overwhelmed by them.
I know some parents have tried to shield their children from the realities of September 11, 2001. When the children are ready to investigate the significance of that day, this is a superb book to introduce the topic. It is also perfect reading to accompany September 11 observances.
This book was nominated for a Cybils in the MG/YA category.
Aside: Have you ever seen Meg Cabot’s incredibly moving essay about her very personal experiences that day?
For more reviews, see:
Geo Librarian
Nonfiction Detectives
Shelf-employed
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 64 pages
Publisher: Flash Point (August 16, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1596436948
ISBN-13: 978-1596436947
Be sure to look for more information about children’s books at today’s Book Talk Tuesday.
