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Ground Zero: A Novel of 9/11
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Middle Grade & Children's (2021)In time for the twentieth anniversary of 9/11, master storyteller Alan Gratz (Refugee) delivers a pulse-pounding and unforgettable take on history and hope, revenge and fear -- and the stunning links between the past and present.
September 11, 2001, New York City: Brandon is visiting his dad at work, on the 107th floor of the World Trade Center. Out of nowhere, an airplane slams into the tower, creating a fiery nightmare of terror and confusion. And Brandon is in the middle of it all. Can he survive -- and escape?
September 11, 2019, Afghanistan: Reshmina has grown up in the shadow of war, but she dreams of peace and progress. When a battle erupts in her village, Reshmina stumbles upon a wounded American soldier named Taz. Should she help Taz -- and put herself and her family in mortal danger?
Two kids. One devastating day. Nothing will ever be the same.
September 11, 2001, New York City: Brandon is visiting his dad at work, on the 107th floor of the World Trade Center. Out of nowhere, an airplane slams into the tower, creating a fiery nightmare of terror and confusion. And Brandon is in the middle of it all. Can he survive -- and escape?
September 11, 2019, Afghanistan: Reshmina has grown up in the shadow of war, but she dreams of peace and progress. When a battle erupts in her village, Reshmina stumbles upon a wounded American soldier named Taz. Should she help Taz -- and put herself and her family in mortal danger?
Two kids. One devastating day. Nothing will ever be the same.
403 pages, Library Binding
First published February 2, 2021
1602 people are currently reading
20114 people want to read
About the author
Alan Gratz
48 books4,760 followersAlan Gratz is the bestselling author of a number of novels for young readers. His 2017 novel Refugee has spent more than two years on the New York Times bestseller list, and is the winner of 14 state awards. Its other accolades include the Sydney Taylor Book Award, the National Jewish Book Award, the Cybils Middle Grade Fiction Award, a Charlotte Huck Award Honor, and a Malka Penn Award for Human Rights Honor. Refugee was also a Global Read Aloud Book for 2018.
Alan’s novel Grenade debuted at number three on the New York Times bestseller list, and his most recent book, Allies, debuted at number two on the list and received four starred reviews. His other books include Prisoner B-3087, which was a YALSA Best Fiction for Young Readers pick and winner of eight state awards; Projekt 1065, a Kirkus Best Middle Grade Book of 2016 and winner of five state awards; Code of Honor, a YALSA Quick Pick for Young Readers; and Ban This Book, which was featured by Whoopi Goldberg on The View.
Alan has traveled extensively to talk about his books, appearing at schools and book festivals in 39 states and a half-dozen countries, including Brazil, Canada, China, Indonesia, Japan, and Switzerland, and has been a Writer in Residence at Tokyo’s American School in Japan, the James Thurber House in Columbus, Ohio, and the Jakarta Intercultural School in Indonesia.
Alan was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, home of the 1982 World’s Fair. After a carefree but humid childhood, Alan attended the University of Tennessee, where he earned a College Scholars degree with a specialization in creative writing, and, later, a Master’s degree in English education. He now lives with his family in Asheville, North Carolina, where he enjoys playing games, eating pizza, and, perhaps not too surprisingly, reading books.
Alan’s novel Grenade debuted at number three on the New York Times bestseller list, and his most recent book, Allies, debuted at number two on the list and received four starred reviews. His other books include Prisoner B-3087, which was a YALSA Best Fiction for Young Readers pick and winner of eight state awards; Projekt 1065, a Kirkus Best Middle Grade Book of 2016 and winner of five state awards; Code of Honor, a YALSA Quick Pick for Young Readers; and Ban This Book, which was featured by Whoopi Goldberg on The View.
Alan has traveled extensively to talk about his books, appearing at schools and book festivals in 39 states and a half-dozen countries, including Brazil, Canada, China, Indonesia, Japan, and Switzerland, and has been a Writer in Residence at Tokyo’s American School in Japan, the James Thurber House in Columbus, Ohio, and the Jakarta Intercultural School in Indonesia.
Alan was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, home of the 1982 World’s Fair. After a carefree but humid childhood, Alan attended the University of Tennessee, where he earned a College Scholars degree with a specialization in creative writing, and, later, a Master’s degree in English education. He now lives with his family in Asheville, North Carolina, where he enjoys playing games, eating pizza, and, perhaps not too surprisingly, reading books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,879 reviews
February 25, 2021
Thank you to Edelweiss and Scholastic Press for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
When I heard that Alan Gratz was writing a new book, this time about the events of 9/11, suffice it to say, I was excited. And this novel did not disappoint. Ground Zero is told in dual, third-person perspective, and weaves two stories together in an intricate and resounding way.
Brandon's dad works at the World Trade Center in New York City, and on the morning of September 11, 2001, Brandon's life is changed forever, as he witnesses an event that will change the course of history itself. Over the course of his parts in the book, he and the other survivors must find a way to work together and make it out of this nightmare alive.
Reshmina lives in present-day Afghanistan, in village torn apart by war, but still holding fast to her peaceful ideals. Her life is turned upside-down when she decides to help an American soldier and learns that her brother wishes to join the Taliban. It's up to her to help make amends of the mess she's made, and learn a thing or two along the way about this war.
The book is written in an interesting way that captivates you from the very beginning and doesn't let go. The characters are likeable but also believable, and you'll find yourself rooting for them in their individual positions as the story goes on. That being said, the character growth isn't very present, but made up for by all the action.
This book is one that touches on important and relevant topics. I can definitely see this book as something that can be enjoyed by younger readers and more mature ones alike, and it definitely has the capacity to spark important conversations as well.
Overall, I would recommend this to anyone who's trying to get more into historical fiction, or is looking for two compelling stories that are slowly tied together.
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will read literally anything by this author.
When I heard that Alan Gratz was writing a new book, this time about the events of 9/11, suffice it to say, I was excited. And this novel did not disappoint. Ground Zero is told in dual, third-person perspective, and weaves two stories together in an intricate and resounding way.
Brandon's dad works at the World Trade Center in New York City, and on the morning of September 11, 2001, Brandon's life is changed forever, as he witnesses an event that will change the course of history itself. Over the course of his parts in the book, he and the other survivors must find a way to work together and make it out of this nightmare alive.
Reshmina lives in present-day Afghanistan, in village torn apart by war, but still holding fast to her peaceful ideals. Her life is turned upside-down when she decides to help an American soldier and learns that her brother wishes to join the Taliban. It's up to her to help make amends of the mess she's made, and learn a thing or two along the way about this war.
The book is written in an interesting way that captivates you from the very beginning and doesn't let go. The characters are likeable but also believable, and you'll find yourself rooting for them in their individual positions as the story goes on. That being said, the character growth isn't very present, but made up for by all the action.
This book is one that touches on important and relevant topics. I can definitely see this book as something that can be enjoyed by younger readers and more mature ones alike, and it definitely has the capacity to spark important conversations as well.
Overall, I would recommend this to anyone who's trying to get more into historical fiction, or is looking for two compelling stories that are slowly tied together.
~~~~~~~~~
will read literally anything by this author.
December 18, 2021
CW:
Well that was a surprisingly gritty and difficult read given that the main characters are about 9 years old.
Brandon fights for survival after a plane hits the North tower on 9/11/2001. Meanwhile, in present day Afghanistan, Reshmina is trying to keep her family safe as war rages all around her isolated village. Although it is obvious how the two stories intersect from very early on I still found this to be a compelling read. Alan doesn't shy away from the difficulties and horrors both children witness and experience so I would be clear about that when recommending this book to a middle school student, and full disclosure, I cried at one particular point. Like, sob cried. I think this may be my favourite Alan Gratz book yet.
Well that was a surprisingly gritty and difficult read given that the main characters are about 9 years old.
Brandon fights for survival after a plane hits the North tower on 9/11/2001. Meanwhile, in present day Afghanistan, Reshmina is trying to keep her family safe as war rages all around her isolated village. Although it is obvious how the two stories intersect from very early on I still found this to be a compelling read. Alan doesn't shy away from the difficulties and horrors both children witness and experience so I would be clear about that when recommending this book to a middle school student, and full disclosure, I cried at one particular point. Like, sob cried. I think this may be my favourite Alan Gratz book yet.
July 7, 2020
Alan Gratz’s books always hit where it hurts, in the best possible way, but Ground Zero might just be the one to have the most impact for me. I remember 9/11 like it was yesterday so the fact we are coming up on the 20th anniversary is mind blowing. This MG book will be a hit with my students & generate a bunch of conversations between them & their parents.
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Brandon has to go to his father’s job who is a chef at the World Trade Center because he was suspended for the day. It’s September 11, 2001. Reshmina dreams of life beyond war in Afghanistan where her brother is joining the Taliban and her home is bombed after she protects an American soldier on September 11, 2019.
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Two kids. 18 years difference. Countries apart. The world will never be the same.
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You will need the tissues for this one, particularly those who are old enough to remember where they were on 9/11/01. Make sure and read the Author’s Note at the back. I loved hearing Gratz speak at @librarypalooza a few months ago. I’ll not soon forget this amazing novel Thank you Edelweiss for an ARC of this. BUY THIS BOOK in February 2021.
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Brandon has to go to his father’s job who is a chef at the World Trade Center because he was suspended for the day. It’s September 11, 2001. Reshmina dreams of life beyond war in Afghanistan where her brother is joining the Taliban and her home is bombed after she protects an American soldier on September 11, 2019.
🇺🇸🇦🇫
Two kids. 18 years difference. Countries apart. The world will never be the same.
🇺🇸🇦🇫
You will need the tissues for this one, particularly those who are old enough to remember where they were on 9/11/01. Make sure and read the Author’s Note at the back. I loved hearing Gratz speak at @librarypalooza a few months ago. I’ll not soon forget this amazing novel Thank you Edelweiss for an ARC of this. BUY THIS BOOK in February 2021.
August 21, 2021
One way or another, we still live in a world reshaped and redefined by what happened in those 102 frightful minutes on a bright blue September morning in 2001. And I believe it's more important than ever for new generations to understand how we got from there to where we are today.
This note from the author perfectly articulates why books like this one are so important. I must confess that before this past week, Afghanistan was not on my mind. Now that I have seen the news coverage from the past week while reading this book, I realize my deplorable lack of understanding. Readers of this book will get a firsthand look at what it was like to be a 9-year-old in the North Tower on September 11, 2001. They will also live life in the mountains of 2019 Afghanistan through the eyes of a young girl. Alan Gratz uses short chapters, many ending in cliffhangers, to narrate the action in both timelines. Both Brandon (2001) and Reshmina (2019) are in deadly peril more than once. The two find themselves dealing with similar situations, but in drastically differing contexts. When is it proper to grant refuge? Is revenge an appropriate response to tragic events? Both learn the value of working with those around them to achieve a better outcome. Perhaps we can all work together to find another path going forward.
This note from the author perfectly articulates why books like this one are so important. I must confess that before this past week, Afghanistan was not on my mind. Now that I have seen the news coverage from the past week while reading this book, I realize my deplorable lack of understanding. Readers of this book will get a firsthand look at what it was like to be a 9-year-old in the North Tower on September 11, 2001. They will also live life in the mountains of 2019 Afghanistan through the eyes of a young girl. Alan Gratz uses short chapters, many ending in cliffhangers, to narrate the action in both timelines. Both Brandon (2001) and Reshmina (2019) are in deadly peril more than once. The two find themselves dealing with similar situations, but in drastically differing contexts. When is it proper to grant refuge? Is revenge an appropriate response to tragic events? Both learn the value of working with those around them to achieve a better outcome. Perhaps we can all work together to find another path going forward.
March 8, 2021
I liked this book until the last chapter when the author felt the need to put his political opinion in rather than stick to the historical background he used in the rest of the book. I also felt like this book would be much too intense for my 11 year old. It seems written for kids, but my child is not quite ready for a book with this content.
July 2, 2021
Book was ok until near the end where the author called Americans bullies and inserted his political views.
February 3, 2021
Thank you Rockstar Book Tours and Scholastic for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Ground Zero
By: Alan Gratz
REVIEW ☆☆☆☆☆
It's odd that a generation now exists with no prior knowledge of the Twin Towers terrorist attacks. That is why books such as GROUND ZERO by Alan Gratz are so important. We have a responsibility to pass on the history of this tragedy that subsequently shaped the landscape of our world for this and future generations.
Although fiction, there is a good bit of informative content in this story. I gained a new perspective on the hellish conditions and horrors inside the towers prior to collapse. I also have a new found respect for those who are trapped under Taliban rule. The story gave me pause to think about circumstances in different, eye opening ways and drew awareness to my ignorance of many aspects.
Young adult readers may be the target audience, but this is a book for everyone. Through a deeply emotional and unputdownable, dramatic narrative, Alan Gratz gives us humanity and hope that live on in sacrifice and love for one another. Do not miss this book. GROUND ZERO is, simply put, amazing.
Ground Zero
By: Alan Gratz
REVIEW ☆☆☆☆☆
It's odd that a generation now exists with no prior knowledge of the Twin Towers terrorist attacks. That is why books such as GROUND ZERO by Alan Gratz are so important. We have a responsibility to pass on the history of this tragedy that subsequently shaped the landscape of our world for this and future generations.
Although fiction, there is a good bit of informative content in this story. I gained a new perspective on the hellish conditions and horrors inside the towers prior to collapse. I also have a new found respect for those who are trapped under Taliban rule. The story gave me pause to think about circumstances in different, eye opening ways and drew awareness to my ignorance of many aspects.
Young adult readers may be the target audience, but this is a book for everyone. Through a deeply emotional and unputdownable, dramatic narrative, Alan Gratz gives us humanity and hope that live on in sacrifice and love for one another. Do not miss this book. GROUND ZERO is, simply put, amazing.
September 24, 2021
This is a riveting story told from two points of view that finally converge. If I were still teaching 6th or 7th grade reading, this author would be one I could recommend to certain students. His books are historical in nature, but written so a young person can understand and appreciate them. Mr. Gatz’s books can fill a much needed gap in literature for young people, and can help them develop a love for reading. And not just for young people. Anyone of any age can learn from this book and others by this author.
March 2, 2021
This is another back and forth story. I would have preferred to have read Brandon's novella first and then Reshmina's with the author bringing them together at the end. Taking turns, chapter by chapter was annoying. It also got political at the end.
December 29, 2021
An extremely thought-provoking book.
Alan Gratz is a master of creating books with alternating character chapters and timelines. This one was no exception; the protagonists are a nine-year-old boy who is at the World Trade Center with his father on September 11th, 2001, and a young Afghanistanian girl whose homeland is in constant battle between the Taliban and the U.S. Thought-provoking and heart-rending, as one sees the attacks in New York through Brandon’s terrified eyes, and suffers with Reshmina as her village is destroyed. The author’s notes at the end are also exceptional.
I think this would be a valuable teaching-tool for all middle-grade and young adult classrooms. It resonated with me especially because I read it in 2021. *May we never forget.*
Memorable Quotes:
(Pg. 187)-“People didn’t die on sunny September mornings, going to work like they did every day of their lives. People died when they were old, in hospital beds or old folk’s homes.”
(Pg.83)-“Reshmina wanted to scream, partly from fear and partly from anger. She had just gone looking for her brother! She hadn’t expected to end up in the middle of a battle. Why couldn’t everyone just leave them alone?”
Alan Gratz is a master of creating books with alternating character chapters and timelines. This one was no exception; the protagonists are a nine-year-old boy who is at the World Trade Center with his father on September 11th, 2001, and a young Afghanistanian girl whose homeland is in constant battle between the Taliban and the U.S. Thought-provoking and heart-rending, as one sees the attacks in New York through Brandon’s terrified eyes, and suffers with Reshmina as her village is destroyed. The author’s notes at the end are also exceptional.
I think this would be a valuable teaching-tool for all middle-grade and young adult classrooms. It resonated with me especially because I read it in 2021. *May we never forget.*
Memorable Quotes:
(Pg. 187)-“People didn’t die on sunny September mornings, going to work like they did every day of their lives. People died when they were old, in hospital beds or old folk’s homes.”
(Pg.83)-“Reshmina wanted to scream, partly from fear and partly from anger. She had just gone looking for her brother! She hadn’t expected to end up in the middle of a battle. Why couldn’t everyone just leave them alone?”
December 31, 2021
I spent a week reading all of the Goodreads Choice Awards finalists in the Middle Grade category, complete with my entire thoughts on each book, and which books I think should have won and in what order. You can check out my vlog here: https://youtu.be/d7or1qfinfo
February 25, 2021
It is interesting as a teacher, to sit down with groups of elementary aged students and attempt to teach them about this day in our country's history. A day that I was here to witness, but one that happened before they were born. What do we tell them? How much detail do we share? What is it they should know?
This is the best middle grade book written about September 11th, 2001 that I have read. It was not a quick read for me. I needed time to stop and process as I went along. Ground Zero tells two stories. Brandon is visiting his dad at work on the 107th floor of the World Trade Center. His story is about surviving that day. Reshmina's story takes place 18 years later in Afghanistan. Her entire life has been lived in the shadow of war.
For me, this dual point of view worked well in providing a human face to both of these sides to the story. I found the book as a whole to be honest without going too much into detail. When students ask for books about 9/11, this will be my go-to from now on. The only thing that could perhaps have made this book better for me would have been if Gratz (or his publisher) had found an #ownvoices author to collaborate with and give Reshmina her voice. Don't get me wrong, he wrote her story wonderfully, but told from an Afghan's true point of view would make this book much more powerful.
This is the best middle grade book written about September 11th, 2001 that I have read. It was not a quick read for me. I needed time to stop and process as I went along. Ground Zero tells two stories. Brandon is visiting his dad at work on the 107th floor of the World Trade Center. His story is about surviving that day. Reshmina's story takes place 18 years later in Afghanistan. Her entire life has been lived in the shadow of war.
For me, this dual point of view worked well in providing a human face to both of these sides to the story. I found the book as a whole to be honest without going too much into detail. When students ask for books about 9/11, this will be my go-to from now on. The only thing that could perhaps have made this book better for me would have been if Gratz (or his publisher) had found an #ownvoices author to collaborate with and give Reshmina her voice. Don't get me wrong, he wrote her story wonderfully, but told from an Afghan's true point of view would make this book much more powerful.
December 30, 2020
Wow! Alan Gratz did it again. This book captivated me and I read it in a day. However, Gratz does not sugar coat the events of that day or its lasting effects for young readers. As someone who will never forget the sequence of that day, reading this pulled me back 20 years and definitely stirred up a lot of emotion.
December 6, 2021
In spring 2020, when all the libraries were closed, one of my daughters asked me to buy a book for her: Grenade by Alan Gratz. I hadn’t heard of it, but if my daughter was interested in historical fiction with a WWII setting, I was absolutely going to support that. About eighteen months later, her collection of Alan Gratz books has grown and I’ve finally got around to reading one of them (Ground Zero, because that’s what she suggested when I asked which one I should read first).
This book was emotional and immersive. It’s a split time-line, with alternating chapters that take place in New York City on September 11, 2001 and in Afghanistan 18 years later.
Brandon gets suspended from school for fighting (he was standing up to a bully), so he has to go to work with his father. And his dad works at a restaurant on the top of one of the twin towers. This part of the book was especially compelling, because I knew what was going to happen. (Not to Brandon, but to the towers.) I kept wanting him to just get out of there, but of course the story was a little more complicated.
Reshmina is a young girl in a small village in Afghanistan. She works hard in school, but in her family and culture, housework is always the priority for girls. Her brother, on the other hand, plans to join the Taliban. When she runs across a wounded American soldier, she’s torn between two Pashtun traditions—the need to give refuge to anyone who asks, and the desire for revenge against the Americans because an American drone killed one of her sisters.
The storylines intertwine and both characters grow during their harrowing experiences. I enjoyed both parts, though I wish Reshmina’s would have ended with a little more hope and closure. Overall, a really good read that I very much recommend. (I also recommend having a few tissues handy.)
Sometimes I don’t love that my girls are getting closer and closer to that YA range. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve read lots of really good YA books, but I’m not ready for them to read about angsty 17-year-old romantic obsessions or dip into the edgy side of YA. But there’s also something pretty cool about discovering that your child has a good taste in fiction and being able to raid her shelves for books.
This book was emotional and immersive. It’s a split time-line, with alternating chapters that take place in New York City on September 11, 2001 and in Afghanistan 18 years later.
Brandon gets suspended from school for fighting (he was standing up to a bully), so he has to go to work with his father. And his dad works at a restaurant on the top of one of the twin towers. This part of the book was especially compelling, because I knew what was going to happen. (Not to Brandon, but to the towers.) I kept wanting him to just get out of there, but of course the story was a little more complicated.
Reshmina is a young girl in a small village in Afghanistan. She works hard in school, but in her family and culture, housework is always the priority for girls. Her brother, on the other hand, plans to join the Taliban. When she runs across a wounded American soldier, she’s torn between two Pashtun traditions—the need to give refuge to anyone who asks, and the desire for revenge against the Americans because an American drone killed one of her sisters.
The storylines intertwine and both characters grow during their harrowing experiences. I enjoyed both parts, though I wish Reshmina’s would have ended with a little more hope and closure. Overall, a really good read that I very much recommend. (I also recommend having a few tissues handy.)
Sometimes I don’t love that my girls are getting closer and closer to that YA range. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve read lots of really good YA books, but I’m not ready for them to read about angsty 17-year-old romantic obsessions or dip into the edgy side of YA. But there’s also something pretty cool about discovering that your child has a good taste in fiction and being able to raid her shelves for books.
March 28, 2021
Brandon is the 9-year old son of a chef at Windows on the World, the restaurant atop the North Tower at the World Trade Center. Suspended from school for standing up to a bully, he goes to work with his father on 9/11. Really bad idea, especially when Brandon is separated from him, eventually finding a friend in Richard. Reshmina is an 11-year old girl living in present-day Afghanistan, with dreams of her own. She lives in a remote village where the Taliban lurk, and her twin brother is trying to find his own way. Their lives are threatened, when Reshmina rescues an American soldier seriously injured in a surprise attack. Her family and village become targets when they decide to extend sanctuary according to Muslim tradition when he enters their home. I did not think the two stories blended, despite the clever bridge by author Gratz. A tough read, due to the rawness of the subject matter.
September 12, 2024
An emotionally deep and unforgettable look at how the world was redefined by the terrifying 102 minutes of 9/11.
✏️ Review ✏️
Reading Ground Zero gave me a deeper and broader understanding of 9/11. Alan Gratz does an excellent job at drawing the reader in. Not only did I feel the horror, uncertainty, and shock of the 9/11 attack, but I also felt deeply connected to the characters. Their thoughts, emotions, and actions — totally relatable. The 9/11 nightmare is so realistically portrayed that I felt a bit emotionally drained after reading this book! The intensity of the situation, the uncertainty of escape, and the desperate determination to live, resonate so well with the reader.
Since this book features a dual POV story, another character in a different place and time enters the plot: Reshmina; Afghanistan; 2019. To be honest, I really wasn't a fan of this additional POV. It breaks up the 9/11 plot quite a bit. But despite the feeling of disconnect, both perspectives help to show the unavoidable links between the past and the present. Reshmina's perspective highlights a result of 9/11: American occupation of Afghanistan. It accurately displays many hardships the Afghan people faced: low food supply; American and Taliban conflicts; losing sons and brothers to the ideas of the Taliban; and the oppression women under Taliban rule....
Well, I definitely have a new impression of 9/11. No longer am I just a distant bystander gazing at the wreck and rubble of Ground Zero through pictures and videos. The horror of it all has now become a tangible experience which deepened my understanding of the pain, sorrow, trauma, and shock of this attack. While no one can enter the true depths of emotion belonging to the survivors of 9/11, Ground Zero provides an emotionally deep and unforgettable look at how the world was redefined by 102 terrifying minutes.
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📊 A Quick Overview 📊
👍🏼 What I Liked:
•The realistic and smooth writing style.
•The deep connection that develops between the characters and the reader.
•The realistic portrayal of the 9/11 events. And while the descriptions of some aspects (carnage, suffering, ect.) of 9/11 may have been a bit too graphic for a book marketed to younger teens, these elements are unavoidable when dealing with a tragic event of this capacity — but mid teens and above should be fine with reading this.
👎🏼 What I Did Not Like:
•The dual POV. It's okay, but it just wasn't something that I enjoyed.
•The political assertions made in the book (see Random Comments).
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📖 BOOK BREAKDOWN 📖 (Overall: 3.5/5 [rounded to 4 on Goodreads])
~Fundamentals: (1=worst; 5=best)
— 📈 Plot: 3.5/5
— 📝 Writing: 3.5/5
— 👥 Characters: 4/5
~Content: (0=none; 1=least; 5=most)
— 🤬 Language: 2/5
•Several uses of God's name in vain; some uses of cr*p; a few uses h*ll; and one or two uses of d*mn.
— ⚔️ Violence: 3/5
•Intense sequences of peril.
•A few scenes of war violence.
•Some potentially disturbing graphic descriptions of suffering and injuries.
— ⚠️ Sexual: 0/5
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📣 Random Comments 📣
•Due to the intensity of some scenes, the graphic nature of some descriptions, and the language, this book is best suited to be read by those in their mid teens and above.
•While Reshmina's perspective accurately portrays the hardships and struggles of living in war-torn Afghanistan, it displays the Americans as a greater enemy than the Taliban — setting up the Americans to look like the "bad guys." This is a politically motivated gesture that you should be aware of when reading.
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💬 Favorite Quotes 💬
•(None)
✏️ Review ✏️
Reading Ground Zero gave me a deeper and broader understanding of 9/11. Alan Gratz does an excellent job at drawing the reader in. Not only did I feel the horror, uncertainty, and shock of the 9/11 attack, but I also felt deeply connected to the characters. Their thoughts, emotions, and actions — totally relatable. The 9/11 nightmare is so realistically portrayed that I felt a bit emotionally drained after reading this book! The intensity of the situation, the uncertainty of escape, and the desperate determination to live, resonate so well with the reader.
Since this book features a dual POV story, another character in a different place and time enters the plot: Reshmina; Afghanistan; 2019. To be honest, I really wasn't a fan of this additional POV. It breaks up the 9/11 plot quite a bit. But despite the feeling of disconnect, both perspectives help to show the unavoidable links between the past and the present. Reshmina's perspective highlights a result of 9/11: American occupation of Afghanistan. It accurately displays many hardships the Afghan people faced: low food supply; American and Taliban conflicts; losing sons and brothers to the ideas of the Taliban; and the oppression women under Taliban rule....
Well, I definitely have a new impression of 9/11. No longer am I just a distant bystander gazing at the wreck and rubble of Ground Zero through pictures and videos. The horror of it all has now become a tangible experience which deepened my understanding of the pain, sorrow, trauma, and shock of this attack. While no one can enter the true depths of emotion belonging to the survivors of 9/11, Ground Zero provides an emotionally deep and unforgettable look at how the world was redefined by 102 terrifying minutes.
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📊 A Quick Overview 📊
👍🏼 What I Liked:
•The realistic and smooth writing style.
•The deep connection that develops between the characters and the reader.
•The realistic portrayal of the 9/11 events. And while the descriptions of some aspects (carnage, suffering, ect.) of 9/11 may have been a bit too graphic for a book marketed to younger teens, these elements are unavoidable when dealing with a tragic event of this capacity — but mid teens and above should be fine with reading this.
👎🏼 What I Did Not Like:
•The dual POV. It's okay, but it just wasn't something that I enjoyed.
•The political assertions made in the book (see Random Comments).
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📖 BOOK BREAKDOWN 📖 (Overall: 3.5/5 [rounded to 4 on Goodreads])
~Fundamentals: (1=worst; 5=best)
— 📈 Plot: 3.5/5
— 📝 Writing: 3.5/5
— 👥 Characters: 4/5
~Content: (0=none; 1=least; 5=most)
— 🤬 Language: 2/5
•Several uses of God's name in vain; some uses of cr*p; a few uses h*ll; and one or two uses of d*mn.
— ⚔️ Violence: 3/5
•Intense sequences of peril.
•A few scenes of war violence.
•Some potentially disturbing graphic descriptions of suffering and injuries.
— ⚠️ Sexual: 0/5
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📣 Random Comments 📣
•Due to the intensity of some scenes, the graphic nature of some descriptions, and the language, this book is best suited to be read by those in their mid teens and above.
•While Reshmina's perspective accurately portrays the hardships and struggles of living in war-torn Afghanistan, it displays the Americans as a greater enemy than the Taliban — setting up the Americans to look like the "bad guys." This is a politically motivated gesture that you should be aware of when reading.
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💬 Favorite Quotes 💬
•(None)
October 14, 2021
Can you believe it's already been (nearly) 20 years since 9/11? It didn't seem that long ago when I walked home after school to find my mom in a frenzy - her mother and aunt had left for New York the week before on a bus tour and shopping trip around New York City. When she heard the news that the Twin Towers were attacked, she desperately tried to get ahold of my grandma, great-aunt, and their tour guide/agency. Turns out, cell service wasn't working very well that day as everyone was trying to get ahold of loved ones. So we weren't able to do anything but follow the news, imagining the worst as we waited for the travel agency to get back to us with updates as to whether or not my grandma and her sister were scheduled to visit the Twin Towers that day or were in the area during the attack. Luckily, my grandmother and great-aunt were fine and had left NYC the night before and were on the road back. Many others weren't as lucky though, and this story was definitely an important one to be told and to remember the lives that were lost and the brave souls who sacrificed their lives helping others.
Ground Zero follows 9-year-old Brandon, who got suspended from school and had to follow his dad to work on September 9th, 2001. When the first plane hit the North Tower, Brandon and his dad were separated as Brandon desperately tried to find his way back to his dad. When the second plane hit the South Tower, realization hit - they were under attack and had to evacuate asap.
The book also follows Reshmina in present-day Afghanistan. Reshmina is an 11-year-old girl with the hopes of improving her English and becoming a translator. When she comes across an injured American soldier, she decides to help him but doing so is extremely dangerous and risks putting her entire village in danger.
Gratz did a wonderful job weaving both narratives and making both stories captivating, emotional, and educational.
I read Alan Gratz's book, Refugee for the first time last year and loved it. I knew right away I just had to read his other books. This book, along with Refugee, has officially placed Gratz on my list of favourite middle-grade authors. The audiobooks were also wonderfully narrated and I cannot recommend them enough.
If you liked the following books, then you'll probably also enjoy Ground Zero , and vice-versa:
Ground Zero follows 9-year-old Brandon, who got suspended from school and had to follow his dad to work on September 9th, 2001. When the first plane hit the North Tower, Brandon and his dad were separated as Brandon desperately tried to find his way back to his dad. When the second plane hit the South Tower, realization hit - they were under attack and had to evacuate asap.
The book also follows Reshmina in present-day Afghanistan. Reshmina is an 11-year-old girl with the hopes of improving her English and becoming a translator. When she comes across an injured American soldier, she decides to help him but doing so is extremely dangerous and risks putting her entire village in danger.
Gratz did a wonderful job weaving both narratives and making both stories captivating, emotional, and educational.
I read Alan Gratz's book, Refugee for the first time last year and loved it. I knew right away I just had to read his other books. This book, along with Refugee, has officially placed Gratz on my list of favourite middle-grade authors. The audiobooks were also wonderfully narrated and I cannot recommend them enough.
If you liked the following books, then you'll probably also enjoy Ground Zero , and vice-versa:
August 10, 2021
Between 1 and 2 stars. If I hadn't been forced to read it for school I wouldn't of. Especially toward the middle. The entire book was oh I'm going to live!, oh wait no I'm not!, oh I'm going to live! x100 Only with a million times the drama.
Also, the characters were so fake. Brandon was too good to be true and Reshmina was unbelievably dumb and a spoiled brat.
She went, "I hate all Americans" and then "feel sorry for me". And the way she treated the other characters was just plain unexcaptable.
Another thing is at the end of the book Reshmina said that money would do them absolutely NO good but about 100 pages before she was whining about how her dad might have to grow poppies to have enough money to sustain their family. At that point I wish she would just go ahead and die since she has been saying she is going to the whole book.
Overall, this book was terrible especially the characters in it and my advice to you would be to stay FAR AWAY from it unless you are forced to read it like I was. Go as far as to consider being homeschooled. I don't know why I picked that book out of 2 other books that I could've read for summer reading.
Probabally because my teacher said it was AMAZING and that I should definitely read it. Thanks teacher. Not!!!!!!!!!!!!
Also, the characters were so fake. Brandon was too good to be true and Reshmina was unbelievably dumb and a spoiled brat.
She went, "I hate all Americans" and then "feel sorry for me". And the way she treated the other characters was just plain unexcaptable.
Another thing is at the end of the book Reshmina said that money would do them absolutely NO good but about 100 pages before she was whining about how her dad might have to grow poppies to have enough money to sustain their family. At that point I wish she would just go ahead and die since she has been saying she is going to the whole book.
Overall, this book was terrible especially the characters in it and my advice to you would be to stay FAR AWAY from it unless you are forced to read it like I was. Go as far as to consider being homeschooled. I don't know why I picked that book out of 2 other books that I could've read for summer reading.
Probabally because my teacher said it was AMAZING and that I should definitely read it. Thanks teacher. Not!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 9, 2022
I really liked the book and the broken under ground mall part was great and the building falling over I do recommend it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2024
Oh, man. I was loving this book until the last chapter. So disappointing. Sigh. A 5-star YA novel excepting the 1-star last chapter.
Like some other Gratz books I’ve read, this one has two protagonists:
--9-year-old Brandon who accompanies his father to his workplace in the World Trade Center on 9/1/01, and so faces all the horrors of that day.
--11-year-old Reshmina, an Afghani girl living with her family in 2019 in an area where US/Taliban fighting is on-going. Reshmina finds a wounded US soldier and decides she must help him, despite the danger it will bring to her family and village.
Also as with the other four Gratz books I've read, this one is an exciting page turner that doesn’t shy away from complex emotional and moral situations as it alternately follows the lives of Brandon and Reshmina. Nearly every chapter is packed with tension, making you want to read on to find out what’s going to happen next as well as getting you to contemplate on life, relationships, right/wrong, etc.
Sure, some of the plotting and symbolism feels a bit forced, some of the dialogue a little clunky, but that’s pretty easy to overlook because it’s a YA book and his target audience probably won’t be as bothered by these things, and because the two storylines are so engaging, thought-provoking, and emotionally impactful.
Unfortunately, in the last chapter, Gratz becomes overtly, unnecessarily political, essentially writing an essay poorly disguised as a conversation between two characters. Thus the book ends with a very negative, anti-American diatribe (e.g., Gratz has a US soldier call America “a bully” --somebody who "pushes people around and never gets in trouble for it"), overt politicizing that feels cheap and overly simplistic, and that would make it uncomfortable for me to recommend this book to others. Such a shame because until now I'd loved this one and had looked forward to sharing it with friends and students as I had his others (and those others I will continue to recommend).
Certainly, it's not necessary to agree with every choice one's country makes, every action it takes (I can't imagine there's anyone living anywhere who does that, and Gratz, of course, is entitled to his own opinions), but in this case, the ambiguities of war in general, and of the war in Afghanistan specifically, had already been made clear in earlier chapters by showing the effects of the fighting on innocent civilians like Reshmina and her family, and should have been left at that.
Like some other Gratz books I’ve read, this one has two protagonists:
--9-year-old Brandon who accompanies his father to his workplace in the World Trade Center on 9/1/01, and so faces all the horrors of that day.
--11-year-old Reshmina, an Afghani girl living with her family in 2019 in an area where US/Taliban fighting is on-going. Reshmina finds a wounded US soldier and decides she must help him, despite the danger it will bring to her family and village.
Also as with the other four Gratz books I've read, this one is an exciting page turner that doesn’t shy away from complex emotional and moral situations as it alternately follows the lives of Brandon and Reshmina. Nearly every chapter is packed with tension, making you want to read on to find out what’s going to happen next as well as getting you to contemplate on life, relationships, right/wrong, etc.
Sure, some of the plotting and symbolism feels a bit forced, some of the dialogue a little clunky, but that’s pretty easy to overlook because it’s a YA book and his target audience probably won’t be as bothered by these things, and because the two storylines are so engaging, thought-provoking, and emotionally impactful.
Unfortunately, in the last chapter, Gratz becomes overtly, unnecessarily political, essentially writing an essay poorly disguised as a conversation between two characters. Thus the book ends with a very negative, anti-American diatribe (e.g., Gratz has a US soldier call America “a bully” --somebody who "pushes people around and never gets in trouble for it"), overt politicizing that feels cheap and overly simplistic, and that would make it uncomfortable for me to recommend this book to others. Such a shame because until now I'd loved this one and had looked forward to sharing it with friends and students as I had his others (and those others I will continue to recommend).
Certainly, it's not necessary to agree with every choice one's country makes, every action it takes (I can't imagine there's anyone living anywhere who does that, and Gratz, of course, is entitled to his own opinions), but in this case, the ambiguities of war in general, and of the war in Afghanistan specifically, had already been made clear in earlier chapters by showing the effects of the fighting on innocent civilians like Reshmina and her family, and should have been left at that.
September 26, 2022
This book is a 2 part book and if I could I would give the story of Brandon who survives the World Trade center bombing a 5 star and the story of Reshmina a 3 star. The Story of Brandon and Reshmina. Brandon goes to work with his Dad on 9/11 who works on the 107 floor of the World Trade Center. Without telling his Dad he tries to go to the shopping center floor and there he gets stuck in the elevator when the 1st plane hits. As you follow Brandon and his fight for survival realizing that he can make it out but his Dad won't, you pray that he and a man who helps him does get out alive. A Tear jerking story of survival that I won't forget anytime soon. Then you follow Reshmina who lives in Afghanistan. A soldier gets hurt and Reshmina gets her family to help him but at what cost. Can they survive when their army is after him? Can Reshmina live her dream of being more than a wife and will this adventure open her eyes to the problems Afghanistan faces. The story of Reshmina is a hard one especially since we pulled out of Afghanistan recently. The story focuses on the question should we be there in the first place? Should we leave? We did and saw the mess that happen after but it does make you wonder if it was all worth it. For a Middle Grader reading this I recommend a parent reading this 1st to see if it is a story you child should read? It is a harder read even for me a 52 year old. But the story is wonderful and recommend it, with permission.
October 6, 2024
This book was one of the best kids historical fictions I have ever read. I had never really understood the depth of 9/11, but now after reading this I understand how horrific and tragic this event was. Alan Gratz really captured Brandon’s age during his pov and I really saw the tragedy from a 9 year olds perspective. After brandons dad died I was basically in tears for the rest of the book. And when I realized taz from Reshimas pov was Brandon I was just sobbing. I also didn’t know that war in Afghanistan had been going on for 40+ years. I loved how at the end, Brandon still left his dad a message(once again I was sobbing) and how Richard became Brandon’s adopted father.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2021
This book was very hard to read and upsetting, due to the nature of the subject matter. It was also quite jarring to keep switching perspectives, especially when every chapter ended on a cliff hanger. I found myself rolling my eyes quite often at some of the not-at-all subtle hints of what was to come later in the book (it wasn't really foreshadowing - more like a wink to the older readers?) . I really enjoyed Refugee, but this one was not the author's best work, in my opinion.
Read
August 26, 2021One way or another, we still live in a world reshaped and redefined by what happened in those 102 frightful minutes on a bright blue September morning in 2001. And I believe it's more important than ever for new generations to understand how we got from there to where we are today.
This note from the author perfectly articulates why books like this one are so important. I must confess that before this past week, Afghanistan was not on my mind. Now that I have seen the news coverage from the past week while reading this book, I realize my deplorable lack of understanding. Readers of this book will get a firsthand look at what it was like to be a 9-year-old in the North Tower on September 11, 2001. They will also live life in the mountains of 2019 Afghanistan through the eyes of a young girl. Alan Gratz uses short chapters, many ending in cliffhangers, to narrate the action in both timelines. Both Brandon (2001) and Reshmina (2019) are in deadly peril more than once. The two find themselves dealing with similar situations, but in drastically differing contexts. When is it proper to grant refuge? Is revenge an appropriate response to tragic events? Both learn the value of working with those around them to achieve a better outcome. Perhaps we can all work together to find another path going forward.
This note from the author perfectly articulates why books like this one are so important. I must confess that before this past week, Afghanistan was not on my mind. Now that I have seen the news coverage from the past week while reading this book, I realize my deplorable lack of understanding. Readers of this book will get a firsthand look at what it was like to be a 9-year-old in the North Tower on September 11, 2001. They will also live life in the mountains of 2019 Afghanistan through the eyes of a young girl. Alan Gratz uses short chapters, many ending in cliffhangers, to narrate the action in both timelines. Both Brandon (2001) and Reshmina (2019) are in deadly peril more than once. The two find themselves dealing with similar situations, but in drastically differing contexts. When is it proper to grant refuge? Is revenge an appropriate response to tragic events? Both learn the value of working with those around them to achieve a better outcome. Perhaps we can all work together to find another path going forward.
February 11, 2024
The dual narration was well done in this one.
We follow a 9-year-old boy named Brandon as he was in one of the two towers when a plane crashed into it on 9/11. The crash separates Brandon and his father, and they struggle to get to one another before it's too late.
We also follow Reshmina, an 11-year-old girl in "current" (now past) Afghanistan. Her story was a bit more powerful for me. Her family ends up harboring an injured American soldier. She must combat her twin brother when he tries to go to the Taliban to let them know they have the American.
This was a more demanding read for a younger audience but enjoyable at an older age.
4.5 Stars rounded up to 5.
We follow a 9-year-old boy named Brandon as he was in one of the two towers when a plane crashed into it on 9/11. The crash separates Brandon and his father, and they struggle to get to one another before it's too late.
We also follow Reshmina, an 11-year-old girl in "current" (now past) Afghanistan. Her story was a bit more powerful for me. Her family ends up harboring an injured American soldier. She must combat her twin brother when he tries to go to the Taliban to let them know they have the American.
This was a more demanding read for a younger audience but enjoyable at an older age.
4.5 Stars rounded up to 5.
February 6, 2021
Wow. What a read! This book was real - I had both tears and chills. Gratz has done an amazing job of capturing the heart of 9/11 and making it appropriate for this particular age group. The author’s note tied everything up well - the history and his connection to this horrific day. Way to go!
April 7, 2022
It was really good and had a great climax.
September 10, 2024
This was a tough book to read, and I wish I can give this book 5 stars, but that would be very inappropriate, for September 11, 2021 was a terrible day. Over 3,000+ people were killed on that day, and it’s a day that changed the world. This is my second novel I’ve read by Gratz and will continue to read his YA Historical Fiction novels. This book came out on the 20th Anniversary of 9/11. I always read 1 9/11 book to read every September, as a reminder why we still fight the evilness in this world.
October 24, 2024
I'm so proud of my husband being a soldier in the US army. 🪖
This is such a good story.
Sad.
This is such a good story.
Sad.
March 12, 2021
It was a great book, and interesting to read just after finishing I Am Malala, in my opinion!
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