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jenmangler's review against another edition
3.0
This would be a good introduction to 9/11 for our upper elementary/younger middle grades students. It broaches the subject carefully and thoughtfully. I do have issues with this book. All of the main characters are so sweet and kind, to the point that they don't feel real. There is a lot going on (PTSD, homelessness, divorce, Islamophobia), so much so that none of these topics gets their due. And the ending wraps everything up a little too neatly. Still, if you are looking to introduce 9/11 to a younger audience, this would be a good start.
lynnebetweenthelines's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism and Violence
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Grief
bookph1le's review
5.0
This book was so hard to read. I haven't failed to notice that I have a reaction whenever 9/11 comes up, but this book reminded me of just how visceral that reaction can be. Even though I don't live in New York and had no family or friends who were involved, reading this book catapulted me straight back into those days, and much to my shame made me realize there was aspects of the attack I'd never considered--such as children being able to watch the towers collapsing from their classroom windows.
For a short novel, there's a lot packed into this story. Harrowing as the 9/11 aspect of the book is, so is Dèja's family story, which intertwines with 9/11 in ways that will probably be pretty obvious to adult readers from early on. The book is tender in its portrayal of Dèja's family's struggle with homelessness, and that part too is difficult to read. I had so much sympathy for her, and could just empathize with her every plight and feeling.
I think what I like best about this book is that it's so challenging that even as an adult, I find myself pondering a lot of what it brings up. Dèja, Ben, and Sabeen wonder why adults find it hard to be so forthcoming with kids, and why they think they have to approach 9/11 from such an oblique angle, but Dèja develops insight into that aspect of things. As a mother, I appreciate how much of a struggle it is to reach the point where you have to pull back the lens for your kids to give them a wider view of the world, with the end result being that you're exposing them not only to the wonder and majesty of the world, but the ugly and horrific as well: violence, prejudice, and other societal ills. That parental instinct to protect is understandable, as in an ideal world young children would be sheltered from these ugly realities until they're old enough to better understand them, but it's also a privileged position that not every parent can take. And one of the worst things about being a parent is knowing that no matter how hard you try, you can't protect your kids from everything. The book grapples with this in a mature but age-appropriate way.
I'd recommend that parents/guardians of any children reading this book read it as well, because there are many aspects of it that are well worth discussion, and because the intense elements can be hard to take, such as the description of what happened on 9/11. I didn't feel the book was in any way gratuitous or that it treated this subject matter with anything but respect and delicacy, but those scenes are hard to read and hard to process, though I suspect that they may be harder on those who remember that day than on those for whom that day is a date in history.
For a short novel, there's a lot packed into this story. Harrowing as the 9/11 aspect of the book is, so is Dèja's family story, which intertwines with 9/11 in ways that will probably be pretty obvious to adult readers from early on. The book is tender in its portrayal of Dèja's family's struggle with homelessness, and that part too is difficult to read. I had so much sympathy for her, and could just empathize with her every plight and feeling.
I think what I like best about this book is that it's so challenging that even as an adult, I find myself pondering a lot of what it brings up. Dèja, Ben, and Sabeen wonder why adults find it hard to be so forthcoming with kids, and why they think they have to approach 9/11 from such an oblique angle, but Dèja develops insight into that aspect of things. As a mother, I appreciate how much of a struggle it is to reach the point where you have to pull back the lens for your kids to give them a wider view of the world, with the end result being that you're exposing them not only to the wonder and majesty of the world, but the ugly and horrific as well: violence, prejudice, and other societal ills. That parental instinct to protect is understandable, as in an ideal world young children would be sheltered from these ugly realities until they're old enough to better understand them, but it's also a privileged position that not every parent can take. And one of the worst things about being a parent is knowing that no matter how hard you try, you can't protect your kids from everything. The book grapples with this in a mature but age-appropriate way.
I'd recommend that parents/guardians of any children reading this book read it as well, because there are many aspects of it that are well worth discussion, and because the intense elements can be hard to take, such as the description of what happened on 9/11. I didn't feel the book was in any way gratuitous or that it treated this subject matter with anything but respect and delicacy, but those scenes are hard to read and hard to process, though I suspect that they may be harder on those who remember that day than on those for whom that day is a date in history.
gracerangel's review
3.0
A little juvenile for my taste but the plot was okay -- maybe a little unrealistic though.
melbsreads's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
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? Yes
4.0
Content warnings: 9/11, homelessness, terrorist attack (in the past), PTSD, mental health, Islamophobia, grief, death (in the past), bullying
Oh, my heart. It had never entirely occurred to me that kids today have to actively be taught about 9/11. Like, probably I'd half thought about the fact that Australian kids don't automatically know about it, but it hadn't occurred to me that it would be part of the curriculum in the US, especially in New York.
Anyway, this was extremely hard hitting, with Deja not only dealing with her own homelessness but with learning about 9/11 and Islamophobia. I would desperately love for her to get therapy at some point, but I fully understand why that's NOT part of the story. She's a very prickly protagonist, but the story was really effectively told and while I don't know that I can say it's an enjoyable read, it's an important one and I'm really glad I picked it up.
Oh, my heart. It had never entirely occurred to me that kids today have to actively be taught about 9/11. Like, probably I'd half thought about the fact that Australian kids don't automatically know about it, but it hadn't occurred to me that it would be part of the curriculum in the US, especially in New York.
Anyway, this was extremely hard hitting, with Deja not only dealing with her own homelessness but with learning about 9/11 and Islamophobia. I would desperately love for her to get therapy at some point, but I fully understand why that's NOT part of the story. She's a very prickly protagonist, but the story was really effectively told and while I don't know that I can say it's an enjoyable read, it's an important one and I'm really glad I picked it up.
jkprie001's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
aeprice38's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
audramea675's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
shelbynik's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
bickie's review against another edition
4.0
Deja starts 5th grade at a new school now that her family has moved into a homeless shelter in Brooklyn, which is ironically in a better part of town. The school actually has playground equipment. Deja's life experience has been focused on taking care of her little brother and sister, making sure they get to day care on time, are fed and clean, and stay out of the way when Pop gets into one of his dark moods. Deja's mother is the only breadwinner in the family and tries to take care of her husband as well as the children, but Deja shoulders a lot of responsibility for a 10-year-old. An inquiry project at the beginning of the school year about the destruction of the twin towers eventually opens Deja's eyes to the importance of history and to the common bonds we all share as humans, Americans, New Yorkers, etc. The language is accessible, though some of the scenes where Deja imagines being there when the towers fell are difficult emotionally. Best for age 10-12