Towers Falling by Jewell Parker Rhodes

From Goodreads,

"From award-winning author Jewell Parker Rhodes, a powerful novel set fifteen years after the 9/11 attacks.

When her fifth-grade teacher hints that a series of lessons about home and community will culminate with one big answer about two tall towers once visible outside their classroom window, Deja can't help but feel confused. She sets off on a journey of discovery, with new friends Ben and Sabeen by her side. But just as she gets closer to answering big questions about who she is, what America means, and how communities can grow (and heal), she uncovers new questions, too. Like, why does Pop get so angry when she brings up anything about the towers?

Award-winning author Jewell Parker Rhodes tells a powerful story about young people who weren't alive to witness this defining moment in history, but begin to realize how much it colors their every day."

Goodreads - Towers Falling

This book follows 5th grade student, Deja, who is trying to fit in at a new school, while trying to hide her home life.  Her father is always coughing and upset about something, and deep down it bothers Deja how her life is.  At school she makes two new friends, Ben and Sabeen, who along with the rest of the class, go on a journey to learn about the Twin Towers and what happened on 9/11.

This book would be a wonderful piece to use while teaching and discussing the Twin Towers.  The students today weren't even born when 9/11 happened, and they honestly believe that it has had no impact on their lives.  I like how this book addressed how students today feel that 9/11 doesn't affect them.  The truth is that all of us have some sort of connection back to 9/11.  For example, my connection is that the events eventually led to the deployment of soldiers, which in turn impacted my life when my Dad and brother were deployed.  I think it is important for students to learn about 9/11 and what happened.  I also liked how this book addressed the racism that now takes place because of 9/11.  I think it is important for everyone to know that first off racism is not okay, and second blanket racism is not okay.  Blaming all whites or blacks or muslims or whoever because of the actions of a few is ridiculous and not okay.  This generation has the power to turn things around and learn to love each other for who they are and not for their religion or the color of their skin or anything else.

This book had many excellent teaching points, but it was unfortunately slow.  The book seemed to carry on and the ending became more and more clear.  I felt like the ending was supposed to be an unexpected ending, but it was very much obvious from the wheezing, coughing, and PTSD that her father was experiencing.

This book has a lot of teachable material and would be excellent to use in a middle school classroom.  I give this book 3 stars.  I will update this review as soon as I get some feedback from one of my students.