September 11th 20th Anniversary

On September 11, 2001, members of the terrorist group al-Qaeda hijacked four airplanes and carried out suicide attacks in the United States. Two airplanes crashed into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, one crashed into the Pentagon in Washington D.C., and one crashed into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Almost 3,000 people were killed.

I was a tiny 10 year old sitting in my 4th grade class with my fellow classmates listening to Miss Grossman begin our history lesson when the principal came over the loud speaker to announce the attack on the Twin Towers. I did not understand what the fuss was about, but Miss Grossman did her best to explain. After school, my mom picked me up and said we had to get gas for the car. The line for gas extended out into the road and blocked traffic. I asked my mom why so many people needed gas and she said the towers falling were causing gas prices to rise.

The reality did not hit me until I saw the footage of the burning towers.

Twenty years later, and we have not forgotten what happened that day. We remember the many who were lost, survived, and are still dealing with the impact of that day.

Here are some books to read in remembrance:

September 11, 2001: The Day that Changed America by Jill C. Wheeler,

j973.931 WHE

Describes the events and immediate aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, in which planes were crashed into the Twin Towers buildings in New York City as well as into the Pentagon building near Washington, D.C.

I Survived: The Attacks of September 11, 2001 by Lauren Tarshis

jF TAR

When Lucas decides to skip school because he wants to discuss football with a firefighter friend of his father, he finds himself caught up in the terrorist attacks on New York City.

Nine, Ten: a September 11 story by Nora Raleigh Baskin

jF BAS

Ask anyone: September 11, 2001, was serene and lovely, a perfect day-until a plane struck the World Trade Center. But right now it is a few days earlier, and four kids in different parts of the country are going about their lives. Sergio, who lives in Brooklyn, is struggling to come to terms with the absentee father he hates and the grandmother he loves. Will's father is gone, too, killed in a car accident that has left the family reeling. Naheed has never before felt uncomfortable about being Muslim, but at her new school she's getting funny looks because of the head scarf she wears. Aimee is starting a new school in a new city and missing her mom, who has to fly to New York on business.

George W. Bush: America's 43rd President by Matt Donnelly

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Chronicles George W. Bush's life and presidency, discussing his youth in Texas and his years as governor there, his marriage to Laura, the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, and the Iraq War.

Towers Falling by Jewell Parker Rhodes

jF RHO

While learning about September 11th, fifth grader Dèja (born after the attacks) realizes how much the events still color her world.

Truthers by Geoffrey Girard

F GIR (Teen)

When her veteran dad is committed to a psych ward, one girl must unravel a conspiracy that connects her past and the terrorist attack on 9/11.

All We Have Left by Wendy Mills

F MIL (Teen)

In interweaving stories of sixteen-year-olds, modern-day Jesse tries to cope with the ramifications of her brother's death on 9/11, while in 2001, Alia, a Muslim, gets trapped in one of the Twin Towers and meets a boy who changes everything for her as flames rage around them.

Ask Me No Questions by Marina Tamar Budhos

F BUD (Teen)

Fourteen-year-old Nadira, her sister, and their parents leave Bangladesh for New York City, but the expiration of their visas and the events of September 11, 2001, bring frustration, sorrow, and terror for the whole family.