(3) YA History's Great Structures series. In this volume, the history of the iconic Twin Towers complex, from birth to destruction to resurgence is explored from various angles including economic impact, architectural significance, and cultural relevance. Modern and archival photographs, maps, diagrams, sidebars, and definitions supplement the rich, detailed, but still easy-to-read text. Numerous quotations from primary and secondary sources add academic weight. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) 4-6 Dog Heroes series. The work of "dog heroes" includes assisting military personnel (Soldiers) and first responders (Ground Zero). Talented dogs can also overcome physical challenges (Disabled) and compete in surfing competitions (Surf), both of which inspire humans to face obstacles. The volumes are accessible, with numerous photographs and personal anecdotes rounding out the texts. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers this Dog Heroes title: Disabled Dogs, Ground Zero Dogs, Soldiers' Dogs, and Surf Dog Miracles.

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo

(4) YA Place in History series. Archival photographs, maps, and sidebars combine with engaging texts to present thorough histories of the featured sites and landmarks. The chronological unfolding of events, interesting facts, personal accounts, and the current perspective provide well-rounded discussions of the impact and significance of these settings. The cramped design is a drawback. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Place in History titles: The Twin Towers, Hiroshima, Pearl Harbor, The Berlin Wall, Auschwitz, and The Normandy Beaches.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(1) 4-6 Actual Times series. Brown's approach is solid and journalistic, emphasizing the facts rather than causes or effects. The text is continuous, weaving the events of the morning with the experiences of some of the victims and survivors. Illustrated with line-and-wash pictures that are forthright but never sensational, the book is superbly focused and completely honest. An author's note supplies grim statistics. Bib.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2011

(4) K-3 Stranded in New York City by the September 11 terrorist attacks, two sisters from South Africa turn the 2,400 roses they had intended to display at a flower show into a public memorial to the fallen towers. Winter's spare handwritten text and restrained art, with its judicious use of black-and-white and color, dignifies this moving, if rather thin, anecdote of hope in the face of tragedy.

Reviewer: Christine M. Heppermann

(3) 4-6 Peter J. Ganci, Jr., chief of New York's fire department, was last seen heading into the collapsed south tower of the World Trade Center. Chris Ganci's reminiscence of his father is an affectionate account of a man who died in the line of duty on September 11. The book's sincerity is moving, and the bold design and large photos provide appeal for reluctant readers. Glos.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton

(1) K-3 Is this another September 11 book? No--and yes. In 1974, Philippe Petit, the French street performer and high-wire walker, couldn't resist the temptation to dance between the twin towers of the World Trade Center. Gerstein pulls the reader into the story with a conversational style extended by playful pen and paint illustrations. Like Petit, Gerstein conceals much careful planning behind an obvious enjoyment of his subject.

Reviewer: Lolly Robinson | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2003

(4) YA Headline Court Cases series. In each case--the early nineteenth-century trial of politician Aaron Burr and the late-twentieth-century trial of terrorists Ramzi Yousef and Eyad Ismoil--the flatly written books begin with background on the circumstances around the crimes, then relate the court proceedings and the closure (or lack thereof) that followed. Burr is illustrated with reproduced art; Terrorist has black-and-white photos and a timeline. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Headline Court Cases titles: The Aaron Burr Treason Trial and The Terrorist Trial of the 1993 Bombing of the World Trade Center.]

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) 4-6 Constructed of text excerpts and photos from the Times coverage, this is a beautifully (if not effectively) designed commemoration of the events and aftermath. With topical, picture-heavy double-page spreads on such aspects as "Escape from the Towers" and "Canine Helpers" arranged haphazardly, this has limited reference value, but the excellent photos and diagrams make it suitable for browsing. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton

(4) 4-6 War on Terrorism series. Each volume in this series covers a different aspect of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, including homeland defense, rescue workers, and the response of the global community. The prose is adequate, and the accompanying color photos are not always well reproduced, but the events are so intrinsically dramatic that the books are sure to garner readers. All but Leaders and Eagle contain timelines. Glos., ind. [Review covers these War on Terrorism titles: Operation Noble Eagle; Ground Zero; Heroes of the Day; United We Stand; America's Leaders; September 11, 2001.]

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(2) YA In this revision of his book The Terrorists, Meltzer "examine[s] the motives and the actions of terrorists. Not only for September 11, but for acts that took place long before." This carefully researched book includes black-and-white photos and a discussion guide at the back. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc. | Horn Book Magazine Issue: February, 1984

(4) 4-6 Great Disasters: Reforms and Ramifications series. Each of the books in this series begins with an account of the disaster it concerns, followed by background including what is known of the origins and outcomes. Illustrated with black-and-white photos and a few diagrams, the detailed texts reward close reading. Chronologies end the books, and World Trade Center has an epilogue about September 11. Bib., ind. [Review covers these Great Disasters: Reforms and Ramifications titles: The Salem Witch Trials, The Dust Bowl, Three Mile Island, The Explosion of TWA Flight 800, The 1993 World Trade Center Bombing.]

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) 4-6 American Disasters series. These books examine six disasters--three natural and three caused by human intent or neglect--that occurred within the United States during the past decade. The simple texts describe the events, their causes and consequences, how individuals and communities were affected, and what steps have been taken to improve safety in possible future occurrences. The dramatic color photos sometimes lack clarity but won't fail to draw readers. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta