9/11

Gr 8 Up—This comprehensive book includes articles about the evolution of the attacks and their aftermath, the emotional changes in New York City, the response of the international community post-9/11, and the experiences of American Muslims. The texts of a speech by former President George W. Bush and a document including one 9/11 terrorist's instructions for future terrorists are also included. Articles address civil liberties, conspiracy theories, and environmental and health threats in an intelligent, well-researched, and evenhanded manner. Their high quality is consistent as they come from sources like the New York Times and the Washington Post. One might question why a book like this is needed if the articles are available online. This one is worthwhile because of its thoroughness and organization. The table of contents includes paragraph-long summaries of each chapter, which will be useful for students who are scanning the list, searching for a research angle. Excellent color photography on the cover and inside the book is emotional, but not sensational. Many of the pictures are not stock images of 9/11. For a small library, this book would be fine as the only 9/11 text.—Jess deCourcy Hinds, Bard High School Early College Queens, Long Island City, NY