In the Shadow of the Fallen Towers

 Bibliography: Brown, D. (2021). In the Shadow of the Fallen Towers: The Seconds, Minutes, Hours, Days, Weeks, Months, and Years after the 9/11 Attacks. Etch, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.   ISBN:978-0-358-22357-3

Plot Summary:  In this graphic novel, Brown recounts the events of 9/11.  We see the story through several different perspectives of people who were there: firemen, policemen, family members and survivors.  The story details the emotions Americans felt as they watched the towers fall, and the aftermath of cleanup that took several months.  Brown also covers America's efforts to capture Osama Bin Laden and other leaders of Al Qaeda. 

Critical Analysis: The amount of research Brown did is evident throughout as he brings to light lesser known aspects of the effects of 9/11, such as the 2 Marines who took it upon themselves to search the pile for survivors, and what really happened to the survivor who was rumored to have surfed down the rubble to survive. The language is simple enough a younger reader would probably not struggle, but not so simple as to condescend to older students.  Less familiar terms ( such as jihadist, page 43) are explained in a straightforward manner. There are also several instances of figurative language, the best example from which the title is derived: "In the shadow of the fallen towers, there is grief and sadness. Yet it is a shared grief and sadness that maybe, just  maybe, binds wounds, slackens pain, and shores up the country" (105). It was a quick read, which would be great to encourage reluctant readers.  A great read. 

Reviews:

Kirkus Reviews: "A deeply moving account of the immediate aftermath and lasting effects of the largest terrorist attack on United States soil."

School Library Journal: "For those of us who witnessed that today, but especially the youth who were born afterward, this is an excellent addition to anyone’s personal or library bookshelf."

Ki      Awards:

  • YALSA Nonfiction Award, 2010-2023. Finalist, 2022.
  • Great Graphic Novels for Teens, 2007-2023. Commended, 2022.

Connections:

Use in a high school US History class when studying the 21st century.  Read together as a class and have students create a timeline of events using only the novel. 

Use in a high school English or Sociology class.  Read together as a class, then have students interview family members about their memories and experiences from 9/11.


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