9/11/01: 9 Books to Help Kids Understand What Happened

Explaining the Unexplainable

It's hard to believe it's been almost twenty years since the horrific events of September 11, 2001. While many adults remember the day in great detail—where we were when we heard, who we called, etc.—there is a whole generation of children and teens who have no recollection of the attacks. Ultimately, it is for parents to decide how much, or how little, about this subject they want to discuss with their children, but a book can provide a great entry point for difficult topics. Here are nine books, for a range of ages, offering a thoughtful approach to the facts of what happened and the impact it left on America and the world.

Ages 4 to 10

Focusing on positive stories surrounding the event can be a good approach for very young children. By Maira Kalman, Fireboat: The Heroic Adventures of John J. Harvey tells the story of a long-retired Hudson River fireboat called back into service to help quell the fires when nearby hydrants were rendered inoperable.

With a focus on global unity, 14 Cows for America, by Carmen Agra Deedy, offers the perspective of a student returning to his small village in Kenya after being in New York City during the attacks. He shares his experience with villagers and together they search for a way to offer their support.

For children who have never seen the historic twin towers standing, Mordicai Gerstein's Caldecott-winning The Man Who Walked Between the Towers offers a portrayal of tightrope artist Phillipe Petit's historic feat shortly after the structures were built.

Ages 8 to 12

It is helpful for kids to learn that, during times of difficulty and pain, we are not alone. We can share a connection with others, even if our circumstances are different. In Nine, Ten, by Nora Raleigh Baskin, four middle schoolers in different parts of the country each deal with their own distinct challenges on the day leading up to the event. These kids don't know each other, but their lives are about to intersect in a way they can't imagine.

The Red Bandanna by award-winning reporter Tom Rinaldi shares the real-life story of Welles Crowther, also known as the man who wears the red bandana, who bravely rescued nearly a dozen people in the South Tower after it was struck.

For young people what is perhaps even more important than learning about the actual tragedy, is understanding a bit about its lasting impact on all of us. In Towers Falling, award-winning author Jewell Parker Rhodes delivers a compelling story set fifteen years later.

12 and Older

 The Memory of Things by Gae Polisner highlights the value of being a helper in a moment of crisis. Racing home to safety after the collapse of the first tower, sixteen-year-old Kyle comes across a traumatized girl who is suffering from amnesia. Impulsively, he invites her home with him.

After nine-year-old Oskar Schell loses his father in the attacks, he finds comfort in solving the mystery behind the key he finds hidden in his dad's closet. Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer shows that everyone grieves in their own way.

In All We Have Left, author Wendy Mills interweaves the narratives of two sixteen-year-old girls. Their stories are set in different time periods, but their lives are inextricably linked. This is another story that shows our connections with people we may never have met.

Ultimately, the strongest rationale for teaching kids about hard, sad times in our history may be giving them an opportunity to practice empathy for people who have experienced difficult things. We can hope that, by building this ability for compassion and understanding in our youth, we are working toward a kinder, more peaceful future.

Read more by Ashly Moore Sheldon