September 11th Books for Kids
The events of September 11, 2001, are not easy to talk about for many reasons. And if you’re teaching elementary-age students, your audience wasn’t around when the attacks even happened.
However, the events of 9/11 are nonetheless important for students to know and think about. This list of books about September 11, 2001, will help you! The books are sorted into categories to help you navigate them, and a short summary of each book is also included.
Picture Books
Chapter Books
Due to the sensitive nature of the events, be sure to preview all books and videos before sharing them with your students.
The 9/11 Memorial in New York City’s "9/11 Fact Sheet for Early Childhood Students" and "Talking to Children about Terrorism" are great resources to reference when approaching conversations about September 11, 2001, with your students. You can also register to take your students on an interactive, age-appropriate virtual field trip through 9/11 Memorial Museum.
Picture Books
Before the Attacks
The Man Who Walked Between the Towers by Mordicai Gerstein
French aerialist Philippe Petit anchored a tightrope between the two towers of the World Trade Center in 1974. He spent 90 minutes performing tricks in the sky along the rope. This book won the Caldecott Medal in 2004, among other notable awards. This book introduces children to the idea of what the Trade Center towers once were.
What Happened
America is Under Attack: September 11, 2001: The Day the Towers Fell by Don Brown
This book is a straightforward retelling of the event of the September 11th attacks in a way that is sensitive to young readers.
If you’re looking for a meaningful way to honor Patriots’ Day and commemorate September 11, 2001 alongside this book by Dan Brown, you’ll want to check out the read-aloud nonfiction unit that pairs with the book. It covers key informational text reading skills with activities that go along with the content of the book.
Nationational Geographic Readers: September 11 by Libby Romero
This nonfiction reader includes age-appropriate images alongside text that explains the attacks and shares the spirit of hope for the nation’s recovery after the fact.
September 11 Then and Now (A True Book: Disasters) by Peter Benoit
Do your students enjoy the True Book series? This installment covers the events before, during, and after the attacks of 9/11.
Heroes in Action During the Attacks
This book tells the story of a boat named John J. Harvey that was once one of the fastest and shiniest fireboats until one day, it was no longer needed. Harvey was retired until a group of people decided to restore it. When the attacks of September 11th happened, the fire department called on Harvey to help put out fires after the attacks when firetrucks needed help.
Saved by the Boats by Julie Gassman
This book tells the story of passengers on boats who risked their lives to carry survivors of the attacks to safety. “While more than one million people searched for escape, hundreds of boat captions sailed into the destruction… They were ordinary people who became heroes on a day when greatness was desperately needed”.
The Man in the Red Bandana by Honor Crowther Fagan and John Crowther
Welles Crowther’s father once gifted him a red bandana when he was seven years old. Welles’ father always carried his blue bandana, so Welles grew up always carrying his red bandana with him. When Welles grew up, he followed his father in another way: becoming a volunteer firefighter. When he wasn’t saving people from burning buildings, Welles worked on the 104th floor of one of the Twin Towers. When the attacks of September 11, 2001 unfolded, Welles tied his bandana around his mouth to keep out the smoke as he risked his life to save as many people as he could from the burning towers. For his heroic acts and the bandana he wore, Welles became known as the “Man in the Red Bandana” that day.
President Obama speaks about the heroism of the “Man in the Red Bandana” here.
10 True Tales: Heroes of 9/11 by Allan Zullo
This nonfiction reader shares ten true stories of modern-day American heroes who took action risked their own lives to help others during the attacks of September 11, 2001.
After the Attacks
30,000 Stitches by Amanda Davis
In the days after the attacks, a massive American flag hung near Ground Zero. The “torn”, “tattered”, and “tired” flag that hung on by a thread was eventually taken down and carefully stored for several years, until one day, it was found and brought out of storage. The people who found it saw “glimmers of hope” within it and decided it needed to be patched back together. The flag traveled across all 50 states, and people were invited to help stitch the flag back to life with bits of retired flags from every state. Today, the flag can be found at the National September 11th Museum.
You can share this video of author Amanda Davis sharing her story here.
14 Cows for America by Carmen Agra Deedy
This New York Times bestseller is the true story of how a man born in Kenya returns to his people from America bringing with him a story that “burned a hole in his heart.” The people of the village are so moved by the story of the attacks of September 11, 2001, that they offer the most heartfelt gift they can: 14 cows. To the Maasai people living in villages in Kenya, “the cow is life.”
You can listen to the author Carmen Agra Deedy read aloud the story here.
The Little Chapel That Stood by A. B. Curtiss
Written in the form of a beautiful rhyming poem, this book paints the picture of the history of a little chapel that stood for centuries in NYC. Eventually, the Twin Towers were built near the little chapel, amongst many other sky-scraping modern structures. “The stress of power, the rush of people/ found comfort and rest beneath its steeple. But doom, doom was coming all the time. Doom, doom to a city fair and fine. Doom, doom was in the planes that climbed. Doom, doom, and then the sirens whined.”
You can hear the author A. B. Curtiss read aloud the story here.
Seven and a Half Tons of Steel by Janet Nolan
Did you know that a steel beam from one of the fallen World Trade Center towers was given to the United States Navy? The seven-and-a-half-ton beam became the bow of a ship. This book is illustrated by the same artist as 14 Cows for America, which is listed above.
9/11 Survivor Tree
The Survivor Tree by Cheryl Somers Aubin
“For more than 20 years, a Callery Pear Tree lived on the World Trade Center Plaza in New York City. On September 11, 2001, the Twin Towers collapsed near her, covering her in debris… Just like our country, the tree was scared, sad, and in shock. But over time, and with great care, she recovered. This is her story.” Though the tree had scars from the attacks, she was able to once again grow strong over time. The story of this tree is inspired by the true story of a tree in the 9/11 Memorial Plaza that is known as the “9/11 Survivor Tree”.
Similar to the story above, The Survivor Tree tells the story of the attacks of September 11 from the point-of-view of the Callery pear tree that survived the attacks. It was moved to the Bronx to recover after the attacks, restored back to health, and then planted in the 9/11 Memorial Plaza.
In another beautiful book about the 9/11 Survivor Tree, Magee poetically retells the events of the attacks with a focus on the tree’s survival and recovery. “Burned bark, like scars, covered the tree… Season after season, the tree grew…The tree grew taller, smooth bark emerging from the rough.” Behind the words, another story is told without words. Through the pictures, the readers can follow a young girl who is a toddler with a family member serving in the NYC Fire Department at the time of the attacks. Years later, the young girl becomes a first responder herself.
Survivor Tree by Marcie Colleen
This book uses powerful images (from a Caldecott-nominated illustrator) alongside poetic and simple words to share about the events of the attack. It is told poetically and symbolically through the lens of the Callery pear tree and its leaves.
Chapter Books
Before the Attacks
Nine, Ten: by Nora Raleigh Baskin
”From the critically acclaimed author of Anything But Typical comes a “tense…and thought-provoking” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) look at the days leading up to the tragic events of September 11, 2001, and how that day impacted the lives of four middle schoolers.
Ask anyone: September 11, 2001, was serene and lovely, a perfect day—until a plane struck the World Trade Center.
But right now it is a few days earlier, and four kids in different parts of the country are going about their lives. Sergio, who lives in Brooklyn, is struggling to come to terms with the absentee father he hates and the grandmother he loves. Will’s father is gone, too, killed in a car accident that has left the family reeling. Naheed has never before felt uncomfortable about being Muslim, but at her new school she’s getting funny looks because of the head scarf she wears. Aimee is starting a new school in a new city and missing her mom, who has to fly to New York on business.
These four don’t know one another, but their lives are about to intersect in ways they never could have imagined. Award-winning author Nora Raleigh Baskin weaves together their stories into an unforgettable novel about that seemingly perfect September day—the day our world changed forever.” - Amazon
The Day of the Attacks
“Alex Douglas always wanted to be a hero. But nothing heroic ever happened to Alex. Nothing, that is, until his eleventh birthday. When Alex rescues a stray dog as a birthday gift to himself, he doesn't think his life can get much better. Radar, his new dog, pretty much feels the same way. But this day has bigger things in store for both of them. This is a story about bullies and heroes. About tragedy and hope. About enemies with two legs and friends with four, and pesky little sisters and cranky old men, and an unexpected lesson in kindness delivered with a slice of pizza. This is Eleven: the journey of a boy turning eleven on 9/11. A best-seller at the 9/11 Memorial Museum, a Kirkus "Best Books" selection, and winner of Writer's Digest and Moonbeam Children's Book awards.” - Amazon
What Happened
Ground Zero by Alan Gratz
”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.” - Amazon
I Survived the Attacks of September 11, 2001 by Lauren Tarshis
”On the day that shocks the world, one boy just wants to find his family. A powerful addition to the gripping I Survived series.
The only thing Lucas loves more than football is his Uncle Benny, his dad's best friend at the fire department where they both work. Benny taught Lucas everything about football. So when Lucas's parents decide the sport is too dangerous and he needs to quit, Lucas has to talk to his biggest fan. So, the next morning, Lucas takes the train to the city instead of the bus to school. It's a bright, beautiful day in New York. But just as Lucas arrives at his uncle's firehouse, everything changes -- and nothing will ever be the same again.” -Amazon
You can find the graphic novel version of the story (shown in the image to the right) here:
I Survived the Attacks of September 11, 2001 Graphic Novel by Lauren Tarshis
What Were the Twin Towers? by Jim O’Connor
“Discover the true story of the Twin Towers — how they came to be the tallest buildings in the world and why they were destroyed.
When the Twin Towers were built in 1973, they were billed as an architectural wonder. At 1,368 feet, they clocked in as the tallest buildings in the world and changed the New York City skyline dramatically. Offices and corporations moved into the towers—also known as the World Trade Center—and the buildings were seen as the economic hub of the world. But on September 11, 2001, a terrorist attack toppled the towers and changed our nation forever. Discover the whole story of the Twin Towers—from their ambitious construction to their tragic end.” - Amazon
After the Attacks
Towers Falling by Jewell Parker Rhodes
”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, Dèja 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.” - Amazon
Looking for more?
Check out this list of kid-friendly videos for September 11th:
