Towers Falling

When her fifth-grade teacher hints that a series of lessons about home and community will culminate with one big answer about two tall towers once visible outside their classroom window, Deja can't help but feel confused. She sets off on a journey of discovery, with new friends Ben and Sabeen by her side. But just as she gets closer to answering big questions about who she is, what America means, and how communities can grow (and heal), she uncovers new questions, too. Like, why does Pop get so angry when she brings up anything about the towers?

As the fifteenth anniversary of September 11th nears, Towers Falling explores the thought-provoking question of how kids born after 2001 can find meaning in events they have no personal memory of, but which still have a monumental impact on their families, educators, and communities. In the tradition of her revered body of middle grade work including Ninth Ward, Sugar, and Bayou Magic, once again Jewell deftly weaves historical and socio-political layers into a story that is at its heart about friendship, family, and finding your way in a complicated world.

“"This tender retelling of tragedy is a solid vessel to help young readers understand the gravity of 9/11 and how it touches all Americans, no matter where we come from. " -- Kirkus Reviews”

"Rhodes approaches a complex, painful topic with insight and grace, providing context to an event distant to the book's audience." --Publishers Weekly "This tender retelling of tragedy is a solid vessel to help young readers understand the gravity of 9/11 and how it touches all Americans, no matter where we come from. " --Kirkus Reviews Praise for Towers Falling "History made personal--and what a person! Deja's voice is real and memorable, her compelling story one of hope unmarred by sentimentality." --Linda Sue Park, Newbery Medalist and New York Times bestselling author "This is a welcome contribution to children's literature."--School Library Journal

Jewell Parker Rhodes is the recipient of a Yaddo Creative Writing Fellowship and the National Endowment of the Arts Award in Fiction. She is professor of creative writing and American literature and Director of the M.F.A. program in creative writing at Arizona State University. She lives in Phoenix, AZ.

When her fifth-grade teacher hints that a series of lessons about home and community will culminate with one big answer about two tall towers once visible outside their classroom window, Deja can't help but feel confused. She sets off on a journey of discovery, with new friends Ben and Sabeen by her side. But just as she gets closer to answering big questions about who she is, what America means, and how communities can grow (and heal), she uncovers new questions, too. Like, why does Pop get so angry when she brings up anything about the towers? As the fifteenth anniversary of September 11th nears, Towers Falling explores the thought-provoking question of how kids born after 2001 can find meaning in events they have no personal memory of, but which still have a monumental impact on their families, educators, and communities. In the tradition of her revered body of middle grade work including Ninth Ward , Sugar , and Bayou Magic, once again Jewell deftly weaves historical and socio-political layers into a story that is at its heart about friendship, family, and finding your way in a complicated world.

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.