The 9/11 Terror Attacks

Turning Points

by Laura K. Murray

"A historical account of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, including the events leading up to that day, the people involved, the monumental rescue and recovery efforts, and the lingering aftermath"--

Genres: Nonfiction

ebook

First published July 15, 2016

About the author

Laura K. Murray is the Minnesota-based author of more than 80 published or forthcoming books for young readers. Her creative writing and poetry have been featured in River Valley Woman, The Talking Stick, Mankato Poetry Walk & Ride, and elsewhere. She loves learning from her readers and helping them find their reading superpowers!

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Contains information on actions leading up to the September 11th attack (including the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, the Taliban coming to power in Afghanistan, bin Laden's increasingly militant demands, the bombing of U.S. embassies in 1998, and the attack on the U.S.S. Cole), the funding and training of the hijackers as well as a step-by-step timeline through the events of the morning of September 11th, including specific, to-the-minute details and exact quotes. This is probably the most accurate and succinct summary of these events I have seen to date. I would buy this book if it stopped there and consider it money well spent.

But it doesn't stop there. It then progresses through rescue and recovery, the response of the U.S., the response of NATO, the order in which they captured or killed lead Al Qaeda terrorists, the anthrax attacks, formation of the TSA and the Office of Homeland Security, and the 9/11 Commission. My one disappointment with the book is that while the copyright date is 2017, the information in the book only covers up to the end of 2014, so there was no opportunity to cover any of the many events of 2015 and 2016. Perhaps they'll issue another book or edition in a few years that will bring these into context.

I highly recommend for anyone in sixth grade or up looking for a concise framing of the events before, during, and after (thru 2014) the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack.

The book is profusely illustrated, well organized, with pop-out highlights, a timeline, endnotes/glossary, index, and selected bibliography. The one thing I was surprised it didn't include was maps, particularly one showing where the planes took off and their flight paths during the attack or a world map showing where events highlighted in the book occurred. But it is described and that is sufficient.

[Linda V · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice introduction to the attacks on 9/11. Short descriptions beside the main text give further descriptions of specific relevant topics. A timeline and glossary are included. A clear and concise presentation for a generation of children who were born after this tragic day.