heetlibrarian's review
5.0
A very intense look at the lives of two children living different but somehow similar lives. The descriptions of events taking place through the eyes of a child during 9/11 were haunting but riveting. The life of a child in modern day Afghanistan was equally interesting and eye opening. I don't recommend this for elementary aged children, but would for Middle School.
bobbys's review
adventurous
informative
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This book is about two characters Brandon and Reshima. Brandon is in the world trade center tower as it vet hits by airplanes and he loses his dad in the process. Reshima is in Afghanistan in her local village and her village is a war zone for the Americans vs the Taliban. Both characters lose someone in a war of the world. This shows war is not good and ruins lives.
lanfisch's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
tishreads's review
3.0
This was a hard book to read, but an important book to read. I'm not sure if middle schoolers and high schoolers will have as hard a time with it as I did since they didn't live through the events of 9/11.
urmomreadsalot's review
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
kfalter's review
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
jcarsrud's review
5.0
This book gave me chills the entire way. Even though I was in southern Illinois during the 9/11 attacks, this was a huge part of my growing up and it changed the way we did things. The idea that anyone could attack at anytime was very scary and it continues to threaten many today. I highly recommend this and will get it for the library and recommend it to my students.
clairenelson's review
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
otroy's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I love the fast paced adventurous theme. I also love how Alan Gratz can fit 2 times about 8 years apart into one book.
literatehedgehog's review
4.0
My 5th grade students are currently obsessed with this book after it lost to Keeper of the Lost Cities in elementary book March Madness bracket. While I love to see readers pick up historical fiction (eek, that something during my teen years counts as historical fiction, need to unpack my feelings there later), this book is not for everyone. It may be marketed or shelved as middle grade, but early YA (13-15) might be the most receptive audience.
Like Gratz's other 5th grade favorite, Refugee, this is an unflinching realistic portrayal of two kids' lives at significant points in time. I think he does an excellent job explaining the nuances and effects of the wars in Afghanistan, though those details may go over the heads of many upper elementary readers. The same goes for 9 year old Brandon (who acts and talks more like a 12 year old, tomato tamata) escaping the falling North Tower. I Survived survival adventure this is not! It is a more dramatic, more detailed, more intense portrayal of those events - and rightly so.
It's not enjoyable or easy to read by any means. As you frantically turn the pages between his cliff-hanger alternating chapters, there is still a leaden feeling in your stomach - there are no tied up endings or satisfying conclusions to be had here.
Like Gratz's other 5th grade favorite, Refugee, this is an unflinching realistic portrayal of two kids' lives at significant points in time. I think he does an excellent job explaining the nuances and effects of the wars in Afghanistan, though those details may go over the heads of many upper elementary readers. The same goes for 9 year old Brandon (who acts and talks more like a 12 year old, tomato tamata) escaping the falling North Tower. I Survived survival adventure this is not! It is a more dramatic, more detailed, more intense portrayal of those events - and rightly so.
It's not enjoyable or easy to read by any means. As you frantically turn the pages between his cliff-hanger alternating chapters, there is still a leaden feeling in your stomach - there are no tied up endings or satisfying conclusions to be had here.