August 1, 2014
The tragedy of 9/11 forces a 13-year-old Florida boy who has always lived with a comfortable, straightforward code of conduct to explore the issues of loyalty, patriotism and fair play. In this tale that should be just the supplemental material middle-grade history teachers are looking for, Cerra presents three cross-country teammates: a Christian Everykid, a Muslim whose father had a routine business interaction with one of the terrorists, and a Jewish boy whose Navy officer father died during the attack. The story is narrated by Jake Green, the Christian boy, who is best friends with Sameed "Sam" Madina, a child of Saudi Arabian descent from a nonobservant Muslim family. Prejudice rears its ugly head directly after the attack: Sam is assailed by a bigoted classmate, and Jake rushes to his defense, striking Sam's attacker. Later, Jake is shocked to discover that he's not supported by his coach, many of his classmates and his parents, particularly his emotionally distraught mother, whose old psychological wounds have been reopened by the event. Sam too has changed, particularly after his father comes under suspicion, leaving Jake confused and alone. Although the tale is didactic and slow in spots, Cerra does a good job of re-creating the combination of fear, confusion, patriotism, prejudice and community spirit the attack engendered, and readers should identify with Jake's plight. A perceptive exploration of an event its audience already sees as history. (Historical fiction. 10-14)
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September 1, 2014
Gr 5-8-This historical novel takes place in Coral Springs, Florida in the days leading up to and after September 11, 2001. Jake Green struggles with the knowledge that one of the hijackers was living in his town prior to the attacks. His best friend and neighbor, Sam Medina, an Arab Muslim, is targeted by boys in their class whose actions and behavior toward persons of Arab descent is disrespectful and volatile. Sam's father is taken into FBI custody after the discovery that he serviced the hijacker at the bank he worked at prior to the attacks. Jake soon finds himself at odds with his immediate family as he defends his best friend's honor and tries to help bring Mr. Medina home. Tensions run high at Jake's house as he tries to make sense of his mother's prejudices. His interest in history and war leads him to develop a relationship with a mysterious neighbor who lived through the attack on Pearl Harbor and its aftermath. The author, a former history teacher, uses the friendship between two boys to transport middle grade readers into the highly emotional experience of a pivotal point in modern American history. Historical fact and realistic fiction elements are woven together with an expert hand, making readers care about this moment in history and giving educators an excellent book sure to spur thoughtful discussion.-Samantha Lumetta, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH
Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
October 15, 2014
Grades 5-7 September 11th changed life both nationally and personally. On September 10th, Jake's most pressing issues are becoming captain of the middle-school track team and hanging out with his best friend, Sam Madina. But as the towers fall, Jake's life is upended. His mother becomes fearful, avoiding the Madinas, who are Muslim. A classmate bullies Sam, and Jake gets into trouble for defending his friend. Then he learns Sam's father, a banker, is being questioned by the FBI because he had dealings with one of the terrorists. What's going on? Cerra makes a common first-time-novelist mistakeplot and characters devised to fit slots (e.g., a Jewish classmate's father is killed at the Pentagon, yet he remains friendly with Sam, exemplifying tolerance). But there are some terrific things here as well. Jake finds himself in a true moral quandary as he tests the limits of friendship and family, and readers will wonder what they might do in the same situation. This title, one of the few on the topic, also gives kids a feel of what life was like during those terrible, confusing days.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)