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happylilkt's review
2.0
Battle of the Books 2023-24
Book 7 of 16 (see footer for other selections and reviews)
I think this was selected for OBOB because it ticks a diversity box (Molly has two dads) and because it is about 9/11. Generally, I think this book handles both topics in a very age-appropriate way for 3-5 grade. Do I find it to be exceptionally well written and compelling? Not really. One of last year's historical selections was the memoir [b:Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio|226425|Small Steps The Year I Got Polio|Peg Kehret|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348218290l/226425._SX50_.jpg|1137137], which is a tough act to follow. My children and I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook together. Another historical selection [b:Rescue on the Oregon Trail|22323698|Rescue on the Oregon Trail (Ranger in Time, #1)|Kate Messner|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1403394841l/22323698._SX50_.jpg|41718309], was just okay, and this may be more in that camp. I confess that I would, of course, love to see all OBOB selections be exceptional :)
Aside from my personal preferences as a reader, there are two issues parents / teachers should be aware of when recommending this book:
1) Molly (the main character) does not follow emergency protocol at her school; I have grade school children who practice fire drills, shooter drills, etc. and the entire purpose of these drills is to help them practice and commit to following the safety protocol. Obviously there can be exceptions, but they are generally risky and I didn't think this aspect was handled well. Maybe because it was an extremely unusual circumstance it is okay? This was not really addressed in the book, so parents / teachers will want to discuss this with their reader(s).
2) Surrogacy is mentioned without adquate explanation / definition, so why mention it at all? I think the author wanted to show a family where the dads have children that are biologically connected rather than adopted, but this introduces significantly complicated, and sometimes controversial, topics of IVF, surrogacy ethics, etc. Parents / teachers should be aware that students may have questions about this.
Full List of 2023-24 OBOB selections 3-5 Grades
[b:The List of Things That Will Not Change|44900082|The List of Things That Will Not Change|Rebecca Stead|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1575342178l/44900082._SY75_.jpg|69556190] ⭐⭐⭐⭐
[b:Ways to Make Sunshine|51079813|Ways to Make Sunshine (Ryan Hart, #1)|Renée Watson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1574114154l/51079813._SX50_SY75_.jpg|71810484] ⭐⭐⭐⭐
[b:Rez Dogs|55873270|Rez Dogs|Joseph Bruchac|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1608628435l/55873270._SX50_.jpg|87088268] ⭐⭐⭐⭐
[b:Allergic|52664752|Allergic|Megan Wagner Lloyd|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1600492933l/52664752._SX50_.jpg|68987910] ⭐⭐⭐
[b:Swim Team|58842729|Swim Team|Johnnie Christmas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1639377352l/58842729._SY75_.jpg|92685857] ⭐⭐⭐
[b:Zeus and the Thunderbolt of Doom|13259034|Zeus and the Thunderbolt of Doom (Heroes in Training, #1)|Joan Holub|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1335918738l/13259034._SY75_.jpg|18460528] (not the graphic novel) ⭐⭐
[b:Molly and the Twin Towers: A 9/11 Survival Story|54665100|Molly and the Twin Towers A 9/11 Survival Story (Girls Survive)|Jessika Fleck|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1595643832l/54665100._SX50_.jpg|85289780] ⭐⭐
[b:A True Home|32793043|A True Home (Heartwood Hotel, #1)|Stephanie Graegin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1488240176l/32793043._SX50_.jpg|53387219] ⭐⭐
[b:Flor and Miranda Steal the Show|36341591|Flor and Miranda Steal the Show|Jennifer Torres|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1524606568l/36341591._SX50_.jpg|58021590]
[b:The Jumbies|22859559|The Jumbies (The Jumbies, #1)|Tracey Baptiste|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1423486685l/22859559._SY75_.jpg|42427472]
[b:The Lion of Mars|53615534|The Lion of Mars|Jennifer L. Holm|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1598552666l/53615534._SY75_.jpg|83941077]
[b:The Midnight Children|56896075|The Midnight Children|Dan Gemeinhart|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1644340848l/56896075._SY75_.jpg|88973472]
[b:New from Here|58201801|New from Here|Kelly Yang|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1644190298l/58201801._SY75_.jpg|90895080]
[b:When You Trap a Tiger|44901877|When You Trap a Tiger|Tae Keller|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1561618498l/44901877._SY75_.jpg|69558825]
[b:From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler|3980|From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler|E.L. Konigsburg|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327784751l/3980._SY75_.jpg|1384549]
Book 7 of 16 (see footer for other selections and reviews)
I think this was selected for OBOB because it ticks a diversity box (Molly has two dads) and because it is about 9/11. Generally, I think this book handles both topics in a very age-appropriate way for 3-5 grade. Do I find it to be exceptionally well written and compelling? Not really. One of last year's historical selections was the memoir [b:Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio|226425|Small Steps The Year I Got Polio|Peg Kehret|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348218290l/226425._SX50_.jpg|1137137], which is a tough act to follow. My children and I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook together. Another historical selection [b:Rescue on the Oregon Trail|22323698|Rescue on the Oregon Trail (Ranger in Time, #1)|Kate Messner|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1403394841l/22323698._SX50_.jpg|41718309], was just okay, and this may be more in that camp. I confess that I would, of course, love to see all OBOB selections be exceptional :)
Aside from my personal preferences as a reader, there are two issues parents / teachers should be aware of when recommending this book:
1) Molly (the main character) does not follow emergency protocol at her school; I have grade school children who practice fire drills, shooter drills, etc. and the entire purpose of these drills is to help them practice and commit to following the safety protocol. Obviously there can be exceptions, but they are generally risky and I didn't think this aspect was handled well. Maybe because it was an extremely unusual circumstance it is okay? This was not really addressed in the book, so parents / teachers will want to discuss this with their reader(s).
2) Surrogacy is mentioned without adquate explanation / definition, so why mention it at all? I think the author wanted to show a family where the dads have children that are biologically connected rather than adopted, but this introduces significantly complicated, and sometimes controversial, topics of IVF, surrogacy ethics, etc. Parents / teachers should be aware that students may have questions about this.
Full List of 2023-24 OBOB selections 3-5 Grades
[b:The List of Things That Will Not Change|44900082|The List of Things That Will Not Change|Rebecca Stead|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1575342178l/44900082._SY75_.jpg|69556190] ⭐⭐⭐⭐
[b:Ways to Make Sunshine|51079813|Ways to Make Sunshine (Ryan Hart, #1)|Renée Watson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1574114154l/51079813._SX50_SY75_.jpg|71810484] ⭐⭐⭐⭐
[b:Rez Dogs|55873270|Rez Dogs|Joseph Bruchac|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1608628435l/55873270._SX50_.jpg|87088268] ⭐⭐⭐⭐
[b:Allergic|52664752|Allergic|Megan Wagner Lloyd|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1600492933l/52664752._SX50_.jpg|68987910] ⭐⭐⭐
[b:Swim Team|58842729|Swim Team|Johnnie Christmas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1639377352l/58842729._SY75_.jpg|92685857] ⭐⭐⭐
[b:Zeus and the Thunderbolt of Doom|13259034|Zeus and the Thunderbolt of Doom (Heroes in Training, #1)|Joan Holub|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1335918738l/13259034._SY75_.jpg|18460528] (not the graphic novel) ⭐⭐
[b:Molly and the Twin Towers: A 9/11 Survival Story|54665100|Molly and the Twin Towers A 9/11 Survival Story (Girls Survive)|Jessika Fleck|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1595643832l/54665100._SX50_.jpg|85289780] ⭐⭐
[b:A True Home|32793043|A True Home (Heartwood Hotel, #1)|Stephanie Graegin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1488240176l/32793043._SX50_.jpg|53387219] ⭐⭐
[b:Flor and Miranda Steal the Show|36341591|Flor and Miranda Steal the Show|Jennifer Torres|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1524606568l/36341591._SX50_.jpg|58021590]
[b:The Jumbies|22859559|The Jumbies (The Jumbies, #1)|Tracey Baptiste|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1423486685l/22859559._SY75_.jpg|42427472]
[b:The Lion of Mars|53615534|The Lion of Mars|Jennifer L. Holm|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1598552666l/53615534._SY75_.jpg|83941077]
[b:The Midnight Children|56896075|The Midnight Children|Dan Gemeinhart|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1644340848l/56896075._SY75_.jpg|88973472]
[b:New from Here|58201801|New from Here|Kelly Yang|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1644190298l/58201801._SY75_.jpg|90895080]
[b:When You Trap a Tiger|44901877|When You Trap a Tiger|Tae Keller|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1561618498l/44901877._SY75_.jpg|69558825]
[b:From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler|3980|From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler|E.L. Konigsburg|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327784751l/3980._SY75_.jpg|1384549]
motheroffairies's review
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
ejh14's review
challenging
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
ellenpederson's review
2.0
I could see this book being a good first intro to the events of 9/11, but not much more than that. The characters have very little depth (not sure if it's the writing or just the fact that it's a short book.) The non-9/11-related parts of the story often distract more than enhance, and there were a few spots where the author gave a definition of words in a way that made it read like a textbook.
To the folks giving 1-2 stars because MC's parents are gay, welcome to the world. Some people have two dads.
To the folks giving 1-2 stars because MC's parents are gay, welcome to the world. Some people have two dads.
amarieads's review against another edition
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
lunarturtle's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
lilithsternins's review against another edition
The first in this series to disappoint me. Why are we spending more time on Molly's family and surrogacy than the attack? That's poor taste. There are other opportunities for the other.
oceanwriter's review
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I’ve read a number of books from the Girls Survive series and so far this is the first book that hasn’t been a solid winner. Maybe it’s because I was alive for this time in history unlike the other events I’ve read about. Whatever it was, I felt that something was lacking.
On the morning of September 11th, 2001, twelve-year-old Molly hears an explosion outside of her classroom window. Before the kids can figure out what’s going on, the entire school is being evacuated. Refusing to leave without her seven-year-old sister Adeline, she breaks away from her teachers to find her. Molly, Adeline, and Molly’s friend Zach desperately try to make it home as they witness the attacks unfold.
There were a lot of side details that didn’t need to be included in the story which ate up several pages that would have been better spent on the Twin Towers. Had I not read previous books in the series I might not have questioned it as much, assuming the details were being watered down for young readers. However, that hasn’t been the case in most of the other books I’ve read. Not shying away from the depth of the tragedies is something I’ve admired and what keeps me coming back. That’s not to say Molly and the Twin Towers excluded the details, but it spent more time on Molly’s life rather than the tragedy itself. (For example, multiple pages about reading books that didn’t correlate to the plot at all. If anything, it just tells the reader that Adeline is easily spooked, but any child or adult alike would have been in fight-or-flight mode in that vicinity. A sentence or two would have sufficed.)
Again, I don’t know how much of my own experiences with that day/time influenced my thoughts while reading. I’m sure a child who had been born after this date would still learn something, though I wouldn’t consider it to be a thorough history lesson. Ultimately, I’m glad it was included in the series at all given how far back in time some of the other books go.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury