Booklist, Gratz moves back and forth between the two narratives in short, nail-biting chapters that create a vivid picture of each setting and make readers feel invested in each characters relationships and choices, and in the high-stakes global forces that affect the intimate details of their lives. In present-day Afghanistan, Reshmina is an 11-year-old girl who is used to growing up in the shadow of war, but she has dreams of peace and unity. This tautly paced novel explores the events of that tragedy and the subsequent American response through two parallel story lines. Horn Book, Gratzs deeply moving writing paints vivid images of the loss and fear of those who lived through the trauma of 9/11. It went beyond 9/11. More books than SparkNotes. Categories: The author of the Anastasia books as well as more serious fiction (Rabble Starkey, 1987) offers her first historical fictiona story about the escape of the Jews from Denmark in 1943. In his authors note he mentions that it has taken him 20 years to feel ready to write about 9/11, and I think he was wise to wait. From Richards office, Brandon calls his father who reassures him they are all waiting for helicopters to rescue them. It seems written for kids, but my child is not quite ready for a book with this content. Aber Ecken des Buches leider schon geknickt. Many others weren't as lucky though, and this story was definitely an important one to be told and to remember the lives that were lost and the brave souls who sacrificed their lives helping others. Scholastic Press, 2021. Hell breaks loose when the complex building is attacked by terrorists leading to many deaths of innocent people including Brandons father. As a girl, Reshmina worked from the moment she woke up until she went to sleep at night. ABA Indie Bestseller List The two head to Richards office on the 90th floor. It was a great book, and interesting to read just after finishing I Am Malala, in my opinion! will review the submission and either publish your submission or providefeedback. Ground Zero study guide contains a biography of Alan Gratz, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. On September 11, 2001, Brandon joins his father at his job in the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Reshmina is an 11-year old girl living in present-day Afghanistan, with dreams of her own. His 2017 novel. Can they survive when their army is after him? You have successfully joined Alan's newsletter list! Ground Zero: A Novel of 9/11 by Alan Gratz February 15, 2021 ~ Janet Dawson Published by Scholastic Summary: Brandon has been suspended from school and is spending the day of September 11, 2001 with his dad, who works at the Windows of the World restaurant in the World Trade Center. The first event occurs on September 11, 2001. All Rights Reserved. Before he departs, he gifts her a worn stuffed animal of the cartoon character the Tasmanian Devil that he says has always brought him luck. Ground Zero. The rumor had been started by the Taliban itself who then ambush the government troops. It was raw and emotional. I have looked it up and no the story line in the My son loved this book, he was done it in 2 days, the only thing I would say is that he was confused if the story line in the book was a real story from a little boy and girl that dealt with this tragic even from that day. CHILDREN'S HISTORICAL FICTION, by It is 2001, a beautiful September Tuesday in Manhattan. If I hadn't been forced to read it for school I wouldn't of. Alan Gratz has done it again. Gratz examines each event carefully to pass the message and encourage people to work together for common good. Before they hang up, his father tells Brandon to do something worth living for. Ground Zero is a number one New York Times bestseller The plot starts at a heart-pounding pace and never relents A contemporary history lesson with the uplifting message that humanity's survival depends on us working for, not against, one another. Award-winning, New York Times bestselling author Alan Gratz merges the worlds of historical fiction and super hero comics in this one-of-a-kind graphic novel that is sure to be met with major enthusiasm from fans of all ages. Brandon, a 9-year-old boy, goes to work for the day with his dad . This book was very hard to read and upsetting, due to the nature of the subject matter. Brandon impulsively grabs a stuffed animal of the Tasmanian Devil from the debris as a good luck token. 2022-2023 Ohio Buckeye Book Award Nominee Glory cant believe it the Hanging Moss Community Pool is closing right before her July Fourth birthday. Reshmina saves the life of an American Soldier and puts her whole village in danger. His father tells him he must get out of the building. The Ground Zero Novel Study is a comprehensive novel study for teaching Ground Zero by Alan Gratz. However, Gratz does not sugar coat the events of that day or its lasting effects for young readers. A must-have. As they leave, a gunfight between the Taliban and the government forces erupts. This item: Ground Zero. will review the submission and either publish your submission or providefeedback. I liked this book until the last chapter when the author felt the need to put his political opinion in rather than stick to the historical background he used in the rest of the book. resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss thenovel. But, I should've known better and trusted Gratz. Trouble signing in? Suspended from school for standing up to a bully, he goes to work with his father on 9/11. He tells her that he joined the army to help avenge the attack, but that now that mission had lost its purpose. When the villagers finally emerge, the village is rubble. Indeed, the conflict results in the destruction of properties and loss of lives from both ends. The 9/11 attacks led to the destruction of properties and the loss of innocent lives. Sexton, Timothy. $14.52. Summary: Brandon has been suspended from school and is spending the day of September 11, 2001 with his dad, who works at the Windows of the World restaurant in the World Trade Center. In time for the twentieth anniversary of 9/11, master storyteller Alan Gratz (Refugee) delivers a pulse-pounding and unforgettable take on history and hope, revenge and fear - and the stunning links between the past and present. After you claim a section youll have 24 hours to send in a draft. The Ground Zero Community Note includes chapter-by-chapter summary and analysis, character list, theme list, historical context, author biography and quizzes written by community members like you. When the Germans plan to round up the Jews, the Johansens take in Annemarie's friend, Ellen Rosen, and pretend she is their daughter; later, they travel to Uncle Hendrik's house on the coast, where the Rosens and other Jews are transported by fishing boat to Sweden. Lois Lowry Alan Gratz This Study Guide consists of approximately 62 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of Ground Zero. Can Brandon surviveand escape? Brandon has been dismissed from the school following the physical altercation between him and another boy. Please try again. I remember 9/11 like it was yesterday so the fact we are coming up on the 20th anniversary is mind blowing. Tazs nickname is earned as a result of the stuffed Tasmanian Devil figure that never leaves his side, working as a powerful talisman of good fortune in the face of overwhelmingly bad odds of survival. everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of Ground Zero. USA Today Bestseller List, 2022 Hampshire (UK) Book Award Winner War has a negative impact on the lives of people. In Stock. Many people lose their lives without knowing the motive behind the attacks. Oscar, Elizabeth. I really enjoyed Refugee, but this one was not the author's best work, in my opinion. Ground Zero study guide contains a biography of Alan Gratz, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and . The telling of the two narratives are separate, but intricately intertwined with imagery, political philosophical, and even characters. The novel explores the consequences of war on innocent civilians who have no comprehension of the happenings leading up to the confrontation. by Alan Gratz Hardcover . Jonathan Stroh, by Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2021. In time for the twentieth anniversary of 9/11, master storyteller Alan Gratz (Refugee) delivers a pulse-pounding and unforgettable take on history and hope, revenge and fear and the stunning links between the past and present. influencers in the know since 1933. 2023 Oklahoma Sequoyah Intermediate Book Award Nominee What do we tell them? But Reshmina also learns something surprising about the roots of this endless war. Should we leave? CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | Unknown to many of them, the building is under attack. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. He showed us the whole picture and the true complexity of the world and wars which I'm sure was hard to do with such a still recent event. She decides to help him although her compassion may put her family and her entire village at risk. Ground Zero Summary & Study Guide includes comprehensive information and analysis to So we weren't able to do anything but follow the news, imagining the worst as we waited for the travel agency to get back to us with updates as to whether or not my grandma and her sister were scheduled to visit the Twin Towers that day or were in the area during the attack. by Print Word PDF Take our free Ground Zero quiz below, with 25 multiple choice questions that help you test your knowledge. Mr. Gatzs books can fill a much needed gap in literature for young people, and can help them develop a love for reading. Correspondingly, several American soldiers revenging against the terror attacks in Afghan villages also lose their lives. Ground Zero by Alan Gratz. Nothing will ever be the same. Gratz has done an amazing job of capturing the heart of 9/11 and making it appropriate for this particular age group. In 2001, Brandon Chavez is spending the day with his father, who works at the World Trade Centers Windows on the World restaurant. 2021 Grateful American Book Prize Readers are certain to be inspired by the courage and determination shown by Brandon and Reshmina in Ground Zero. This is like the Stone Age. The novel covers in alternating chapters the stories of two characters, Brandon Chavez, a nine-year-old boy living in New York City in 2001, and Reshmina, an 11-year-old Afghan girl living near Asadabad in 2019. 2022 Kansas NEA Reading Circle Recommended Titles,Junior Level Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2022, Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2022. Can they escape -- and what will the world be like when they do? Can you believe it's already been (nearly) 20 years since 9/11? The story is told in alternation chapters. Gratz moves back and forth between the two narratives in short, nail-biting chapters that create a vivid picture of each setting and make readers feel invested in each characters relationships and choices, and in the high-stakes global forces that affect the intimate details of their lives. Even as Brandon and Richard begin to run together, the North Tower comes down. In time for the 20th anniversary of 9/11, Ground Zero delivers a pulse-pounding and unforgettable take on history and hope, revenge and fearand the stunning links between the past and present. Eighteen years after the World Trade Center attack, an eleven-year-old Afghan girl called Reshmina experiences similar events analogous to what happened during September 11, 2001 attack. 2021 Amazon.com Best of the Month February September 11, 2001, New York City: Brandon is visiting his dad at work, on the 107th floor of the World Trade Center. There was a problem loading your book clubs. 2021 Amazon.com Childrens Top 20 Best Books of the Year So Far I found myself rolling my eyes quite often at some of the not-at-all subtle hints of what was to come later in the book (it wasn't really foreshadowing - more like a wink to the older readers?) Brandon, unsure what has happened, decides to take the stairs up, to return to his father. 2021 Chicago Public Librarys Best of the Best ListBest Fiction for Older Readers The description of the Afghani mountains is vivid. I loved how Gratz put into perspective that the event Brandon is enduring killed many lives . Without telling his Dad he tries to go to the shopping center floor and there he gets stuck in the elevator when the 1st plane hits. We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make yourown. Fire. Copyright 2023 Kirkus Media LLC. Study Guide: Ground Zero by Alan Gratz (SuperSummary) [SuperSummary] on Amazon.com. Magazine Subscribers (How to Find Your Reader Number). CHILDREN'S HISTORICAL FICTION, by You can check out my vlog here: It is interesting as a teacher, to sit down with groups of elementary aged students and attempt to teach them about this day in our country's history. Brandon finds himself going to work with his dad in the Twin Towers because he has been suspended from school. Thank you Rockstar Book Tours and Scholastic for a complimentary copy. More books than SparkNotes. Oscar, Elizabeth. Not only that, she finds out the closures not for the claimed repairs needed, but so Negroes cant swim there. In the elevator, Brandon feels a shudder before the car lurches precipitously. The Hemphills African-American maid, Emma, a mother figure to Glory and her sister Jesslyn, tells her, Dont be worrying about what you cant fix, Glory honey. But Glory does, becoming an activist herself when she writes an indignant letter to the newspaper likening hateful prejudice to dog doo that makes her preacher papa proud. Alan Gratz is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of several highly acclaimed books for young readers, including Ground Zero, Allies, Grenade,Refugee, Projekt 1065, Prisoner B-3087,. One devastating day. I was worried it was going to be an "us against them" approach. He and Richard make their way to the exit, using the Warner Brothers Store to guide them out. Affiliate link to purchase this book: https://amzn.to/3r482sN Check out my list of AWESOME 2021 books:. When governments engage in endless wars, citizens tend to bear the brunt of war consequences. While heading to the workplace, Leo advises his son against engaging in fistfights. Copyright 1999 - 2023 GradeSaver LLC. Alan Gratz is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of several highly acclaimed books for young readers, including Ground Zero, Allies, Grenade,Refugee, Projekt 1065, Prisoner B-3087, and. The entire book was oh I'm going to live!, oh wait no I'm not!, oh I'm going to live! Ground Zero by Alan Gratz | Official Book Trailer Watch on Praise The plot starts at a heart-pounding pace and never relentsA contemporary history lesson with the uplifting message that humanity's survival depends on us working for, not against, one another. Out of nowhere, an airplane slams into the tower, creating a fiery nightmare of terror and confusion. A soldier gets hurt and Reshmina gets her family to help him but at what cost. And not just for young people. Pasoon is Reshminas brother. Library 2035 S. Naper Blvd., Naperville, IL 60565 . The two storylines develop in parallel through alternating chapters. Reshmina dreams of being more than the dutiful wife and mother that her Muslim culture demands her to be. It looks like WhatsApp is not installed on your phone. The novel was published in early 2021 to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks and quickly became a New York Times bestseller. More books than SparkNotes. Leo works as a kitchen manager in one of the hotels set in North Tower. Flood. In the contemporary timeline, Reshmina is an Afghan girl living in foothills near the Pakistan border that are a battleground between the Taliban and U.S. armed forces. Alan Gratz. School Library Journal - STARRED REVIEW Ground Zero will appeal to middle-grade readers, who were born after the events of 9/11, and to those adults who lived through it and will never forget. This action-packed novel tackles topics both timely and timeless: courage, survival, and the quest for home. Fin What a read! His books are historical in nature, but written so a young person can understand and appreciate them. September 11, 2019. September 11, 2001. New York City. RELEASE DATE: Jan. 1, 2012. Were glad you found a book that interests you! She leads the helpless soldier back to her home. I didn't learn until the book was almost finished what the connection was between the two main characters. Pasoon angrily reminds his sister that the Taliban not the Americans, are her people. I read all of Brandon's story, then went back and read all of Reshmina's story. Gratz moves back and forth between the two narratives in short, nail-biting chapters that create a vivid picture of each setting and make readers feel invested in each characters relationships and choices, and in the high-stakes global forces that affect the intimate details of their lives. Captain America: The Ghost Army (Original Graphic Novel), Children's Action & Adventure Books (Books), Learn more how customers reviews work on Amazon, Scholastic; 1st edition (February 4, 2021). Three climate disasters. A must-have. Code of Honor Alan Gratz No preview available - 2018. Reshmina is barely in her teens but sympathizes with a wounded American soldier who appears deeply hurt. Similarly, in 2019, the revenge against Afghan people results in more deaths. He offers Reshmina help getting her into a program that would train her to be a UN interpreter. 2022-2023 Tennessee State Book Award Nominee 2022 SIBA Southern Book Prize Finalist 2023 Mississippi Magnolia Award Nominee Without warning, Afghan and American troops swarm the village going door to door looking for a Taliban weapons cache. Because she has been allowed to learn English as a result of the American presence in her country, they are actually able to speak and understand each other whenever massive cultural differences do not obstruct things. will review the submission and either publish your submission or providefeedback. The alternating event occurs in the countryside region of Afghanistan in 2019. resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss thenovel. Alan Gratz is the bestselling author of a number of novels for young readers. It was boring and slow. . . Ice. Brandon is nine-years-old on September 11, 2001 and is planning to spend the day with his father who works at the restaurant which occupies the top floors of the North Tower. We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make your own. My ten year old loves this book. Both events occur due to war conflict between America and middle east countries. 2022-2023 Virginia Readers Choice Award Nominee He is stopped at the 89th floor landingthe stairwell is just huge broken pieces of sheetrock and exposed electrical wires opening out to the sky. The plot starts at a heart-pounding pace and never relents A contemporary history lesson with the uplifting message that humanitys survival depends on us working for, not against, one another. Out of nowhere an airplane slams into the tower, creating a fiery nightmare of terror and confusion that threatens everyone in the building. A Tear jerking story of survival that I won't forget anytime soon. War leads to a lose-lose situation. Brandon and Reshmina cannot discern the purpose served by the attacks. x100 Only with a million times the drama. The fierce fighting between the Afghan National Army, supported by the Americans, and the Taliban insurgents who seek to return the country to a rigid Muslim theocracy has raged for close to 20 years. In the case of any war, there is no winner. The chapters detailing Brandons experiences surviving the attack and collapse of the Twin Towers alternate with those of an equally young Afghanistan girl named Reshmina. An editor Brandon would not normally be available to spend an early September day at his fathers place of employment, of course, but it just so happens that he was recently suspended. In the confusion, Reshmina watches helplessly as an American missile destroys her familys home. Explanations for the U.S. military invasion of Afghanistan in the authors note and in characters conversations too simplistically present the U.S. presence. Alan Gratzs books always hit where it hurts, in the best possible way, but Ground Zero might just be the one to have the most impact for me. Brandon finds himself going to work with his dad in the Twin Towers because he has been suspended from school. The Story of Brandon and Reshmina. I did not think the two stories blended, despite the clever bridge by author Gratz. The closing of her favorite swimming pool opens 11-year-old Gloriana Hemphills eyes to the ugliness of racism in a small Mississippi town in 1964. For a Middle Grader reading this I recommend a parent reading this 1st to see if it is a story you child should read? On the way into the Tower lobby, Brandon helps a Black man trying to get on the escalator and juggling three cups of coffee and his briefcase. Wow! Ground Zero: A Novel of 9/11 by Alan Gratz Share Item #101764 in Online-Only Grades: 5 - 8 Ages: 10 - 13 Format: Paperback Book Write a review Short Summary In this work of historical fiction, the anniversary of 9/11 reminds two young people of the tragic events that changed their lives forever. He chose to do a book report project on this book. Nine-year-old Brandon Chavez heads into Manhattan with his father who works in the Windows on the World, the toney restaurant atop the North Tower of the World Trade Center. . These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community. Not affiliated with Harvard College. The author through the characters stresses the importance of working together and avoiding the situations that lead to wars. Richard tells Brandon he can home with him. With over 100+ Common Core aligned materials, students will develop their literacy skills while deeply engaging with the novel through this 6-WEEK unit. "Ground Zero Summary". He runs off into the hills. Augusta Scattergood. A few moments later, Brandon and his father arrive at the working place. It is during this time the first plane is flown into the twin towers. How much detail do we share? Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2023. 2021 Sandhills Bestseller List Ground Zero. Afghanistan. Because no one will let us get past the Stone Age." Military Hardware In the caves, there is an angry confrontation about the prolonged American occupation between Taz and the villagers.