About This Book
Reach for this book when your middle-schooler begins asking complex questions about 9/11 or the long-standing conflict in Afghanistan. It is an essential tool for parents navigating the bridge between historical tragedy and modern global awareness. The story follows two children: Brandon, who is trapped in the World Trade Center in 2001, and Reshmina, a girl in Afghanistan in 2019 who is caught between the Taliban and Western forces. Gratz masterfully handles intense themes of survival and grief while emphasizing the human connection that persists across cultures and decades. It is a high-stakes, cinematic read that provides necessary context for a defining moment in modern history, making it ideal for 4th to 8th graders ready for a realistic look at war and resilience.
