“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’”
— Fred Rogers
Dear Families,
I wanted to take this opportunity to share with you my list of resources and stories about September 11, 2001 that I’ve compiled over the years. I was teaching reading to my fourth-grade students at Silver Hill Elementary when the first plane hit. Like many of you, I vividly remember many details and emotions about that day 24 years later. To honor and remember those we lost, I have always shared stories about hope, courage, and “the helpers” with my students over the years.
For our children, 9/11/2001 is history. As parents, you can share your memories about September 11th to build your child’s background knowledge. Building background knowledge helps your child become a better reader. In the book 7 Keys to Comprehension: How to Help Your Kids Read It and Get It! by Susan Zimmermann and Chryse Hutchins, they share, “You might think you have nothing of interest to say to your child as you read. You’re wrong. Your memories and childhood experiences are fascinating to her. Immerse your child in your memories. It helps her build background knowledge. She’ll realize all that books can spark while strengthening her grasp of language.”1
Below are some read-aloud videos, other videos, and a book list for you to share with your children. Please preview the books and watch the videos first to select which ones are appropriate for your child’s age and grade level.
I hope these stories give you some comfort and hope on the 24th anniversary of 9/11/2001.
Sincerely,
Jen Rubera
Principal
Read Aloud: The Man in the Red Bandanna
Video: The Man in the Red Bandanna
Read Aloud: Saved by the Boats: The Heroic Sea Evacuation of September 11 by Julie Gassman
Video: September 11th: Why We Remember
Booklist for Families
America is Under Attack by Don Brown
This is a straightforward and sensitive book for a generation of readers too young to remember that terrible day. It narrates the events of the day in a way that is both accessible and understandable for young readers, moving chronologically through the morning of September 11, 2001.
The Man in the Red Bandanna by Honor Crowther Fagan
This book recounts and celebrates the heroism of Welles Crowther, a young man who used his red bandanna to save numerous people from the upper floors of the World Trade Center’s South Tower. His story carries an inspirational message about courage and selflessness.
Fireboat: The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey by Maira Kalman
This is an inspiring true story of the John J. Harvey, a retired New York City fireboat. On September 11, 2001, the Harvey was called back into service to help battle the fires at Ground Zero. The book brings this New York City icon to life and proves that old heroes never die.
14 Cows for America by Carmen Agra Deedy
This book tells the true story of an extraordinary and unexpected gift from the Maasai people of Kenya to the United States after the attacks. It reminds readers of the goodness and empathy that can be found around the world in the aftermath of a tragedy.
The Man Who Walked Between the Towers by Mordicai Gerstein
This book is a beautiful and poetic account of Philippe Petit, a French aerialist who, in 1974, threw a tightrope between the two towers of the World Trade Center and spent an hour walking in the sky. It captures the beauty and magic of the towers before the tragedy.
This Very Tree: A Story of 9/11, Resilience, and Regrowth by Sean Rubin
This deeply moving story is told from the perspective of the Callery pear tree that survived the attacks on September 11, 2001. The tree was found buried under the rubble and, after being cared for, was replanted at the 9/11 Memorial as a symbol of resilience and hope.
Branches of Hope: The 9/11 Survivor Tree by Ann Magee
A beautiful and poignant book that tells the story of the 9/11 Survivor Tree. This wordless picture book offers a powerful narrative of hope and healing, showing how the tree’s branches poked through the rubble and were later rescued and replanted at the memorial.