eelsmac's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Spoiler
one of the main characters claims to have been in Afghanistan as a SF soldier for 10 years - maybe that is rotating through multiple deployments over the course of 10 years, but "...been here for 10 years..." does sort of imply continuous...I both like and dislike the constant back and forth between Brandon's story of escaping the North Tower and Reshmina's story from late-War in Afghanistan in Kunar Province. It's a bit too much of a constant back and forth, I think if the chapters were a bit more consolidated it would feel less jarring/forced.
That being said, there were some things that I think are unique to this particular j-fiction (juvenile fiction) novel that are worthy of some praise. Number 1, this book connects 9/11 with the Global War on Terror in a meaningful way - I am not talking about
Spoiler
the fact that the solider that Reshmina helps is later revealed to be Brandon, that is pretty predictable for Gratz and I get why it's necessary in j-fiction but it does make me roll my eyes a bitSpoiler
And Brandon's dad dies in the North Tower which again sort of subverts that tendency of j-fiction about 9/11 that doesn't have someone directly connected to the main character die. I don't know if Brandon's dad dying is actually a spoiler because obviously if he was going to work at Windows on the World that morning and was there when the plane hit, there was no chance. But that might not be as common of common knowledge.So generally, I was pleasantly surprised by Ground Zero. I might have to give Gratz another chance (to be fair Projekt 1065 was fine, I just really hated Code of Honor).
Graphic: Violence and War
Moderate: Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Death of parent
This book gives a bit more graphic detail about 9/11 attacks than is the status quo in most j-fiction. Including talking about people falling/jumping from the towers. The lexile is 690L which means technically 3rd graders have the ability to read it. I would say for children in grades 3-7 it would be beneficial to read with an adult so that the adult can address any other questions that might come up, or can provide appropriate comfort given the difficult subject matter.greenlivingaudioworm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Child death, Misogyny, War, and Confinement
booksojwhi's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Violence, Death, Grief, Gun violence, Death of parent, War, Medical trauma, Fire/Fire injury, and Genocide
sierranorgan's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Violence, Blood, Grief, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, War, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
vy5687's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and War
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
atamano's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Violence, War, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Grief
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Islamophobia
frankietheavidreader's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Grief, Gun violence, Police brutality, and War
Moderate: Confinement
Minor: Xenophobia
rdemares2's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Moderate: Blood, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, War, and Violence
Minor: Islamophobia