Five years younger than Lisa in Carol Matas' Lisa's War (1989), Annemarie Johansen has, at 10, known three years of Nazi occupation. Can Reshmina live her dream of being more than a wife and will this adventure open her eyes to the problems Afghanistan faces. Richard tells Brandon he can home with him. Fire. I loved this book. USA Today Bestseller List, 2022 Hampshire (UK) Book Award Winner Wow! 2022-2023 Virginia Readers Choice Award Nominee The only issue I had with this book was the set up. Out of nowhere an airplane slams into the tower, creating a fiery nightmare of terror and confusion that threatens everyone in the building. Unknown to many of them, the building is under attack. Ships from and sold by Zenieth. Oscar, Elizabeth. Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video! The starring characters in the story are Brandon Chavez and Reshmina. It is 2001, a beautiful September Tuesday in Manhattan. Get it as soon as Monday, Jan 16. The words hit Taz hard and realize that people should not be against each other. Ground Zero. Before they hang up, his father tells Brandon to do something worth living for. Should she help himand put herself and her family in mortal danger? Ground Zero Summary & Study Guide includes comprehensive information and analysis to CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES, by GradeSaver, 17 February 2022 Web. Trouble signing in? The World Trade Center is hit by a jet while Brandon is in the elevator, and he must find his way down 89 floors to escapeafter trying to go back up to rescue his father. Brandon is heading to the underground mall when a plane piloted by al-Qaida hits the tower, and his father is among those killed. Alan Gratz is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of several highly acclaimed books for young readers, including Ground Zero, Allies, Grenade,Refugee, Projekt 1065, Prisoner B-3087,. When her brother finds out, he is livid and heads up to the mountains to tell the Taliban who hide out in caves. This book captivated me and I read it in a day. The two head to Richards office on the 90th floor. Out of nowhere, an airplane slams into the tower, creating a fiery nightmare of terror and confusion. When shes not saving the world, reading Nancy Drew or eating Dreamsicles, Glory shares the heartache of being the kid sister of a preoccupied teenager, friendship gone awry and the terrible cost of blabbing peoples secrets mostly in a humorously sassy first-person voice. Ground Zero is a number one New York Times bestseller The plot starts at a heart-pounding pace and never relents A contemporary history lesson with the uplifting message that humanity's survival depends on us working for, not against, one another. Ground Zero study guide contains a biography of Alan Gratz, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and . Thank you Rockstar Book Tours and Scholastic for a complimentary copy. Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2023. Many people lose their lives without knowing the motive behind the attacks. This is another back and forth story. Reshmina is barely in her teens but sympathizes with a wounded American soldier who appears deeply hurt. Nine-year-old Brandon Chavez heads into Manhattan with his father who works in the Windows on the World, the toney restaurant atop the North Tower of the World Trade Center. The book expanded our perspectives. It seems written for kids, but my child is not quite ready for a book with this content. He and Richard make their way to the exit, using the Warner Brothers Store to guide them out. Gratzs deeply moving writing paints vivid images of the loss and fear of those who lived through the trauma of 9/11. Brandon seems haunted by what happened in the school leading to his suspension. Its free and takes less than 10 seconds! She decides to help him although her compassion may put her family and her entire village at risk. With Brandons help, the people get off just before it drops down the shaft. Alan Gratzs 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. by ALAN GRATZ Paperback . The author is referring to the bombing of the World Trade Center in 2001 by terrorists. These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community. CHILDREN'S HISTORICAL FICTION | Ground Zero study guide contains a biography of Alan Gratz, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. Hes a fantastic writer, Im looking forward to this one. The place is calm than usual and Brandon is tasked with placing flower vases on tables. Its still brilliant! Turns out, cell service wasn't working very well that day as everyone was trying to get ahold of loved ones. An editor Reshmina declines and returns to her family and the rubble that is her village. I did not think the two stories blended, despite the clever bridge by author Gratz. Scholastic Press, $17.99 (336p) ISBN 978-1-338-24575-2. . 1996-2023, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Kirkus, This tautly paced novel explores the events of that tragedy and the subsequent American response through two parallel story lines. Ground Zero by Alan Gratz. The first event occurs on September 11, 2001. In Stock. These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community. $14.52. Lois Lowry, by 2023 Utah Beehive Book Award Nominee resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss thenovel. Reshmina and Pasoon thus becomes engaged in a face-off over the fate of the soldier with the strange doll attached to his uniform. In Stock. Scholastic| February 2, 2021|Ages 8and Up. We have friends and relatives who were directly affected by 9/11. I used small sticky notes to separate the two stories. Though occasionally heavy-handed, this debut offers a vivid glimpse of the 1960s South through the eyes of a spirited girl by Thank you! The book concludes with the Jews' return, after the war, to homes well kept for them by their neighbors. My son loved this book, he was done it in 2 days, the only thing I would say is that he was confused if the story line in the book was a real story from a little boy and girl that dealt with this tragic even from that day. Gratzs deeply moving writing paints vivid images of the loss and fear of those who lived through the trauma of 9/11. CHILDREN'S SOCIAL SCIENCES | Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club thats right for you for free. "Ground Zero Summary". influencers in the know since 1933. Luckily, my grandmother and great-aunt were fine and had left NYC the night before and were on the road back. Ground Zero is a perfect combination of two different genreshistorical fiction and realistic fictionthat will teach you more about 9/11 and how much the Taliban has affected Reshmina and her village. A few moments later, Brandon and his father arrive at the working place. In the contemporary timeline, Reshmina is an Afghan girl living in foothills near the Pakistan border that are a battleground between the Taliban and U.S. armed forces. Ground Zero: A Novel of 9/11 by Alan Gratz Share Item #101764 in Online-Only Grades: 5 - 8 Ages: 10 - 13 Format: Paperback Book Write a review Short Summary In this work of historical fiction, the anniversary of 9/11 reminds two young people of the tragic events that changed their lives forever. A tough read, due to the rawness of the subject matter. Brandon finds himself going to work with his dad in the Twin Towers because he has been suspended from school. Written by Elizabeth Oscar On September 11, 2001, Brandon accompanies his father, Leo Chavez, to the World Trade Center. And that perfectly logical coincidental series of events is how any number of conspiracy theories are born. Then you follow Reshmina who lives in Afghanistan. You can help us out by revising, improving and updating While his father opens the restaurant, Brandon decides to take the elevator down to the underground mall and buy replacement Wolverine gloves to give the kid. 2021 Chicago Public Librarys Best of the Best ListBest Fiction for Older Readers It also got political at the end. GradeSaver, 17 February 2022 Web. But Reshmina also learns something surprising about the roots of this endless war. The Ground Zero Novel Study is a comprehensive novel study for teaching Ground Zero by Alan Gratz. Cons: I found Brandons story much more compelling and suspenseful than Reshminas, which had to provide a lot of context about Afghanistan that took away from the action. 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. In the caves, there is an angry confrontation about the prolonged American occupation between Taz and the villagers. Tensions have been building since Freedom Workers from the North started shaking up status quo, and Glory finds herself embroiled in it when her new, white friend from Ohio boldly drinks from the Colored Only fountain. Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2021. She begs him not to tell the Taliban about the American soldier, that they will kill his entire family for harboring the American. . With over 100+ Common Core aligned materials, students will develop their literacy skills while deeply engaging with the novel through this 6-WEEK unit. The two young characters are directly affected by the war they know nothing about. On the way into the Tower lobby, Brandon helps a Black man trying to get on the escalator and juggling three cups of coffee and his briefcase. Leo works as a kitchen manager in one of the hotels set in North Tower. Ice. When they get up to the restaurant, Brandon, bored helping his father arrange table settings, decides to slip out, head down the elevator to the underground mall, and replace the kids lost Wolverine (read more from the Pages 1 - 73 Summary). I voluntarily reviewed this book. Retrieve credentials. The author of the Anastasia books as well as more serious fiction (Rabble Starkey, 1987) offers her first historical fictiona story about the escape of the Jews from Denmark in 1943. Reshmina dreams of being more than the dutiful wife and mother that her Muslim culture demands her to be. The entire book was oh I'm going to live!, oh wait no I'm not!, oh I'm going to live! The fierce fighting between the Afghan National Army, supported by the Americans, and the Taliban insurgents who seek to return the country to a rigid Muslim theocracy has raged for close to 20 years. Code of Honor Alan Gratz No preview available - 2018. He does not get far before he smells smoke and sees large cracks in the stairwell sheetrock walls. This book was real - I had both tears and chills. Explanations for the U.S. military invasion of Afghanistan in the authors note and in characters conversations too simplistically present the U.S. presence. 2021-2022 Lectio Book Award Master List. 2021 Amazon.com Childrens Top 20 Best Books of the Year So Far Ground Zero study guide contains a biography of Alan Gratz, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. And not just for young people. Gratz moves back and forth between the two narratives in short, nail-biting chapters that create a vivid picture of each setting and make readers feel invested in each characters relationships and choices, and in the high-stakes global forces that affect the intimate details of their lives. everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of Ground Zero. Ground Zero will appeal to middle-grade readers, who were born after the events of 9/11, and to those adults who lived through it and will never forget. There, Brandon struggles to understand the news reports about the terrorists who had attacked the Towers. 2022 Kansas NEA Reading Circle Recommended Titles,Junior Level Alan Gratz is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of several highly acclaimed books for young readers, including Ground Zero, Allies, Grenade,Refugee, Projekt 1065, Prisoner B-3087, and. thissection. His new book is "Ground Zero." Alan Gratz is the New York Times bestselling author of several books for young readers, including "Allies," "Grenade," "Projekt 1065," "Prisoner B-3087," and "Code . Barnes & Noble Best Young Reader Books of 2021 Brandon should be in school, but he has been suspended for punching a bully who took another kids toy Wolverine gloves. What do we tell them? Their lives are threatened, when Reshmina rescues an American soldier seriously injured in a surprise attack. When the two finally make their up and out, through the smoke and falling debris they see the South Tower is gone. On September 11, 2001, Brandon accompanies his father, Leo Chavez, to the World Trade Center. What a read! Can Brandon surviveand escape? illustrated by Categories: During this time the building starts tremoring convulsively. will review the submission and either publish your submission or providefeedback. Fin Oscar, Elizabeth. The two storylines develop in parallel through alternating chapters. As a girl, Reshmina worked from the moment she woke up until she went to sleep at night. 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. That was how I learned that Brandon's story takes place the year 9/11 happened and Reshmina's story takes place on 9/11 only 20 years later. 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. It is during this time the first plane is flown into the twin towers. Meanwhile, Reshmina is just now hearing about the stimulating event for that American military presence in her country from Taz who, she learns, was actually in the towers the day of the attack and lost his father who worked there. But, I should've known better and trusted Gratz. The alternating narration explores two events that occur almost two decades apart. In time for the twentieth anniversary of 9/11, master storyteller Alan Gratz (. ) document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Categories: Summary: Brandon has been suspended from school and is spending the day of September 11, 2001 with his dad, who works at the Windows of the World restaurant in the World Trade Center. Taz tells her he understands loss, that as a child he lost his father in the 9-11 attacks in New York, that afterwards he was adopted by a man he met in the Towers that day. With two action-packed perspectives, Gratz powerfully explores the ways in which the past shapes the present. It went beyond 9/11. Customers who viewed this item also viewed. Reshmina saves the life of an American Soldier and puts her whole village in danger. The novel explores the consequences of war on innocent civilians who have no comprehension of the happenings leading up to the confrontation. Alan Gratz has done it again. Alan Gratz is the bestselling author of a number of novels for young readers. Way to go! You can help us out by revising, improving and updating On the way into the Tower, Brandon helps a Black man trying to board an escalator while juggling three cups of coffee and his briefcase. 336 pages; grades 5-8. GradeSaver, 23 February 2022 Web. Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. $15.99. Because she has been allowed to learn English as a result of the American presence in her country, they are actually able to speak and understand each other whenever massive cultural differences do not obstruct things. resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss thenovel. Brandons father, Leo Chavez, works as a chef at one of the restaurants situated in the North Tower. A soldier gets hurt and Reshmina gets her family to help him but at what cost. When two planes hit the towers, Brandon and his father are trapped inside a fiery nightmare as terror and confusion swirl around them. 2023 Mississippi Magnolia Award Nominee Should she help Taz - and put herself and her family in mortal danger? His only chore was to take the goats up into the mountains to graze for a few hours. Library 2035 S. Naper Blvd., Naperville, IL 60565 . Can they survive when their army is after him? 2021 Goodreads Choice Awards Finalist The novel was published in early 2021 to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks and quickly became a New York Times bestseller. With his signature accessibility and insight, Gratz tackles events on both U.S. soil and abroad inGround Zero.. 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. Reshmina is a witty girl and advises Taz to stop what they are doing because they (American soldiers) cannot help build the nation and at the same time destroy what they are building. 11- year-old Reshmina has never not known war. Brandon goes to work with his Dad on 9/11 who works on the 107 floor of the World Trade Center. After you claim a section youll have 24 hours to send in a draft. While performing his duty, a fire erupts in the kitchen and the young boy sneaks out to purchase the Wolverine gloves to hand over to his friend once he gets back to school. Book was ok until near the end where the author called Americans bullies and inserted his political views. 2021 Amazon.com Best of the Month February CHILDREN'S HISTORICAL FICTION, by Flood. He accompanies his father to the restaurant where his father works, The Windows of the World, on the 107th floor of the North Tower of the World Trade Center complex. I love this author their work is great. In the confusion, Reshmina watches helplessly as an American missile destroys her familys home. Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations. Taz, reunited with his outfit, moves about the shellshocked villagers offering them money to cover their losses. Not sure about reading more. All opinions expressed are my own. Readers are certain to be inspired by the courage and determination shown by Brandon and Reshmina in Ground Zero. It is September, 2019, in a west Afghan mountain town near Asadabad along the Pakistan border. Suspended from school for standing up to a bully, he goes to work with his father on 9/11. The telling of the two narratives are separate, but intricately intertwined with imagery, political philosophical, and even characters. at the World Trade Center in New York City. The American soldier, disguised in a burqa, joins the family as they head to the caves under the village to hide before the Taliban arrives. When a battle erupts in her village, Reshmina stumbles upon a wounded American soldier named Taz. As fate would have it, his father also dies prematurely after attacks. Descriptions of the Talibans Afghan victims and Reshmina's gentle father notwithstanding, references to all young men eventually joining the Taliban and Pasoon's zeal for their cause counteract this messaging. Copyright 1999 - 2023 GradeSaver LLC. Trying to fix the damage done due to standing up to a bully, Brandon sneaks away from his father, who is a chef at Windows on the World. She leads the helpless soldier back to her home. Pre-publication book reviews and features keeping readers and industry Reading the raw account of events from that day brought back so many memories and emotions. September 11, 2001, New York City: Brandon is visiting his dad at work, on the 107th floor of the World Trade Center. I really liked the book and the broken under ground mall part was great and the building falling over I do recommend it. Fights and revenge lead to more troubles rather than resolving the issues. My ten year old loves this book. 2022-2023 Pennsylvania Young Readers Choice Award Nominee I live in the mountains of western North Carolina with my family, where I enjoy reading, playing games, and eating pizza. The first event occurs on September 11, 2001. He is not nearly as happy about the changes wrought by the American influence on his country and is making plans to join the Taliban. More books than SparkNotes. I have looked it up and no the story line in the My son loved this book, he was done it in 2 days, the only thing I would say is that he was confused if the story line in the book was a real story from a little boy and girl that dealt with this tragic even from that day. resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss thenovel. Reshmina returns to her village. Finally, she decides to help the soldier from being killed by the Taliban. The Ground Zero Community Note includes chapter-by-chapter summary and analysis, character list, theme list, historical context, author biography and quizzes written by community members like you.