Just a Drop of Water by Kerry O'Malley Cerra

Genre: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction
Source: I purchased a copy

I have read three stories in the last few days about 9/11 for middle grade students. This story is by far my favorite. Jake and Sam  have been best friends for years. They run cross country together.  They have become friends with the new kid Kirk.  His father works in Washington. When 9/11 happens their friendship will be tested. Shortly after this terrible event, Jake's mother begins to flip out. When Jake and Sam's friend Bobby turns against Sam, Jake takes revenge.The reason is simple, Sam is a Muslim American.  He has never practiced his religion so he knows nothing about it. When his father is questioned and then taken away by the FBI, people begin to think the worst.

This story shows two things. It shows how so many people came together, and it also shows how some people let fear affect them. When prejudice rears its ugly head what lessons will each of the characters learn?

This is a book I will be reading with my students starting next week.  I am so pleased to have had several sites recommend this as a must read book for middle grade classrooms.

Nine, Ten by Nora Raleigh Baskins

 Genre: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction

Source: I purchased a copy

This is the story of four teens from different parts of the country. Amy’s mom has a new job in New York City. They have just moved to California. She doesn’t fit in with the girls there. The girls in her new school  assume that the reason her mom has a job in New York, and she and her dad are in California is because her parents are splitting up.  This causes all kinds of anxiety for her.  Sergio  lives with his grandmother. He hates the father who left him and his mom.  Will is angry because his father died trying to help a man  along the side of the road.  He is more angry because he learns the man was already dead and in his mind his dad died for no reason.  Nadira is a Muslim girl who is proud of the scarf she wears. However, at her new school she is beginning to feel uncomfortable when someone asks her about her scarf.  Even though these kids don’t know each other they all have one thing in common, 9/11.

This is a must read book. You need to read it to see how each of their lives were changed on that day. Another great book to put on my shelves for my students.

Eleven by Tom Rogers

Genre: Realistic Fiction,  Middle Grade

Source: I purchased a copy.

Eleven is one of those books that is a quick read because it holds your attention from the very beginning.

Alex Douglas is almost eleven and he knows what he wants for his birthday. After all he has two things he loves. Planes and dogs. He isn’t old enough to fly a plane yet, but his parents have talked to him about being more responsible before they will get him a dog. That is the only thing he wants. The night before his birthday he really blows things. He has argued with his mom and then he tells his dad he hates him.  Could things get any worse?  When he wakes up the next morning on September 11^th he has no idea how bad things can get. He is sure he won’t be getting a dog for his present. On the bus he becomes the target of the school bully.  Shortly after school starts he is sent to pick up his sister from school and told to go to his mother’s work. No one will tell him anything. He is told to go home and not to watch the TV.

Alex had seen a stray dog on his way to school and then he sees him on his way home with his sister Nunu. He is sure this is meant to be his dog.  Then he learns the terrible truth about event of the day. His father drives a PATH train that stops under the Twin Towers.  His last words to his dad was “I hate you.” He starts making deals. If he takes the dog back to his rightful owner, then his dad will come home safe. The strange thing is, he meets a man who lives next door to where the dog used to live. He too has been making deals in hopes his son will come home.

I made it all the way to the end before I started crying. Mac, the old man and Alex for a bond that was not expected. They have a connection through the love of planes.  This is a book that keeps you reading to see who will and who won’t survive.  I couldn’t put the book down. The events were well researched and not too heavy for middle school students. I am proud to put this book on my shelves for my students.