10 True Tales: Heroes of 9/11

Gr 4–7—These tales are an inspirational salute to the 9/11 first-responders who risked their lives at the World Trade Center and at the Pentagon and to those who fought back against the hijackers on United Flight 93. Zullo gathers information from a variety of sources to chronicle one of the most tragic days in modern American history; sources include news accounts, emails, and transcripts from radio transmissions and phone messages. He also conducted personal interviews with rescuers, such as the firefighters who are credited for keeping the death toll at the Twin Towers much lower than it could have been. Background information regarding al-Qaeda's motivation for the four suicide missions is presented in an understandable, age-appropriate way. The author's writing brings the devastation and chaos of 9/11 to life. Readers can imagine the confusion of that day, from debris falling and people jumping to their deaths to escape flames in the towers to the claustrophobic feeling of being trapped by concrete and steel to the helplessness felt by the responders. The stories about the brave Flight 93 passengers and crew who revolted against the hijackers—knowing what had already happened in New York City—is especially affecting. Statistics of the devastation and follow-ups on some of the heroes portrayed in the tales effectively demonstrate the long-term effects of terrorism and traumatic events.