Title: I Survived the Attacks of September 11, 2001
Author: Lauren Tarshis
Genre: Historical Fiction
Themes: History, Perseverance, Adventure, Family
ISBN: 9780545207003
Publisher's Summary:
Lucas, a young football enthusiast, finds his world upended after multiple concussions force his parents to pull him from the sport he loves. Feeling lost and desperate to return to the game, Lucas looks to his beloved Uncle Benny—his father's best friend and a firefighter—for support. Hoping Benny can convince his parents to change their minds, Lucas skips school on the morning of September 11, 2001, and travels into Manhattan to visit the firehouse.
What begins as a hopeful visit quickly turns into a day of unimaginable tragedy. As Lucas and Benny talk outside the firehouse, they witness a plane flying unusually low over the city, soon realizing it has crashed into the World Trade Center. The firefighters at Ladder 177, including Benny, rush to respond to the disaster. Left alone and scared, Lucas tries desperately to contact his parents but cannot reach them. Overwhelmed by fear and uncertainty, he sets out on his own toward the chaos downtown, determined to find his father.
I Survived the Attacks of September 11, 2001, by Lauren Tarshis, offers young readers a sensitive and gripping account of a pivotal moment in American history. Through Lucas's eyes, the book explores themes of bravery, loss, family, and resilience in the face of disaster. Teachers will find this story a meaningful way to introduce students to the events of 9/11, support discussions about courage and community, and foster empathy for those affected. The book also includes factual information at the end, making it a valuable resource for classroom conversations about historical events.
