Who can forget September 11, 2001? The terrorist attacks changed each of us in one way or another, whether we lost a loved one or not. Some grew fearful, and sought counseling. Others assessed their priorities, turning to God for solace. Parents hugged their children longer and phoned faraway relatives just to hear their voice, and neighbors unfurled flags and met on courthouse steps for patriotic rallies. As our first anniversary of 9/11 approaches, many are searching for encouragement and answers. 911: The Book of Help begins like an unfolding conversation. Through essays, poems, stories, and artwork, more than 25 award-winning authors and a Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator share their reactions and recollections of that fateful day in American history. Created by Cricket Books publisher Marc Aronson, this book expresses what many of us felt: anger, shock, rage, fear, and a deep hope for healing and peace. Aronson believes that a book about tragedy isn't necessarily tragic, instead, it's "a book of hope, an offer of help from one generation forged in passion and war to another." Contributing authors include Russell Freedman, Katherine Paterson (who lost a loved one in the attack), Walter Dean Myers, Joan Bauer, James Cross Giblin, and Margaret Mahy. Geared for ages 12 & up, the book offers four distinct sections:
Authors speak directly to the reader. It's like reading a letter, or sitting on a patio sipping iced tea as each person recalls what they were doing, and how they reacted to the news. James Cross Giblin's (p.69) begins: September 11,2001 was a perfect day for flying. In New York City the temperature was mild, a light breeze was blowing from the west, and the sky was a glittering blue without a cloud in sight. "Later, I would wish it had been rainy, or better yet foggy. Then maybe the hijackers' flights would have been delayed or canceled, and their murderous plot would have been foiled. But that morning I was glad it was sunny because I had plans to take a little trip of my own. David Paterson awoke at 4:20 that morning. After feeding his 19-month-old son, he couldn't sleep. He flipped on the television to see the latest news re. the desctruction of the World Trade Center. Forty-four hours had passed, yet the scene was chaotic. David knew what he had to do. I'm not sure what exactly was going through my head, but frustration was one of the stronger emotions guiding my decision. I went to the basement and dug out my old hard hat from my construction years. I collected my belt clip, tin snips, goggles, dust masks, flashlight, my Timberland boots, and a few other tools before heading off to the train station in Manhasset, New York. David shoveled alongside rescue workers. Among the debris of pulverized concrete and ash and metal were calculators, compacts, laptop computers, toys, and trinkets. I even found a 1000-yen note, which I gave to a passing FBI agent, who thanked me and went on her way. David shares how workers bonded, communicating with their eyes behind protective masks. He describes more than the smoke and debris at Ground Zero, giving us a sense of the mood. What I saw and witnessed was unbelievable determination, defiance toward danger, and the feeling that step by step, inch by inch, we would move forward from this. All of the writers and artists have donated their work, and Carus Publishing Company will contribute a portion of the proceeds from 911: The Book of Help to The Families of Freedom Scholastic Fund™, a program of Citizens' Scholarship Foundation of America (CSFA). Although we'll never have a tangible answer for the events of that terrible morning, this book is a tribute to those who helped, and a step toward continued healing. |
911: The Book of Help