*This post is from author Gae Polisner and reprinted with her permission.*
This September 11th marks a staggering 20 years since many of us watched in horror, over and over again, as the iconic twin towers fell, and our nation was under attack.
Many of us still grieve the shock and trauma of that day, while students in desks become ever more removed, not yet born in 2001, and, thus, without any first-hand understanding. Now those students are experiencing shared trauma of their own: constant gun drills and mass shootings, political unrest, and, yes, even quarantine and a pandemic. Indeed, it is now well understood and documented that story -- via literary fiction -- builds empathy and understanding even better than text or non-fiction ever could. Stepping into story, and the metaphorical shoes of children their own age, to "witness" that day and the days after, to feel with their own hearts how we rose from grief as a nation, is one of the most instructive ways for children today to also learn to cope with their ongoing grief. Nora Raleigh Baskin's NINE, TEN: A SEPTEMBER 11 STORY; Tom Rogers' ELEVEN (both for ages 9-12) and Gae Polisner's THE MEMORY OF THINGS (ages 12+) are all stories about growing up, coping with tragedy, and so much more, each set against the unforgettable terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Please watch and share this brief video with your colleagues and administrators and have us in, either individually or together, to help your students step into that moment and truly understand. youtube.com/watch?v=-P7fOX To never forget, #ReadAndRememberBe sure to watch the powerful video featuring Gae, Nora, and Tom.
If you're looking for more 9.11 books, check out this post. Additional books have published since the original post, but it will get you started.
This is a powerful guest post, and I appreciate the sentiment about how kids today can find ways to deal with their generation's challenges by looking at how people dealt with 9/11. Thank you for sharing!
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