He offers Reshmina help getting her into a program that would train her to be a UN interpreter. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Brandon impulsively grabs a stuffed animal of the Tasmanian Devil from the debris as a good luck token. Oscar, Elizabeth. Alan Gratz is the bestselling author of a number of novels for young readers. It is September, 2019, in a west Afghan mountain town near Asadabad along the Pakistan border. I did not think the two stories blended, despite the clever bridge by author Gratz. This Study Guide consists of approximately 62pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - Ground Zero Summary | GradeSaver September 11, 2020, Afghanistan: Reshmina has grown up in the shadow of war, but she dreams of peace and progress. Should she help Taz - and put herself and her family in mortal danger? As fate would have it, his father also dies prematurely after attacks. September 11, 2001, New York City: Brandon is visiting his dad at work, on the 107th floor of the World Trade Center. Turns out, cell service wasn't working very well that day as everyone was trying to get ahold of loved ones. Ground Zero - Alan Gratz When governments engage in endless wars, citizens tend to bear the brunt of war consequences. In the caves, there is an angry confrontation about the prolonged American occupation between Taz and the villagers. Ground Zero Study Guide: Analysis | GradeSaver This book was real - I had both tears and chills. The chapters detailing Brandons experiences surviving the attack and collapse of the Twin Towers alternate with those of an equally young Afghanistan girl named Reshmina. We did and saw the mess that happen after but it does make you wonder if it was all worth it. Should she help himand put herself and her family in mortal danger? Reshmina is barely in her teens but sympathizes with a wounded American soldier who appears deeply hurt. Not sure about reading more. Brandon is nine-years-old on September 11, 2001 and is planning to spend the day with his father who works at the restaurant which occupies the top floors of the North Tower. Out of nowhere an airplane slams into the tower, creating a fiery nightmare of terror and confusion that threatens everyone in the building. Alan Gratz. Richard and Brandon begin the descent. I'm the author of a number of books for young readers, including Refugee, Allies, Grenade, Projekt 1065, Prisoner B-3087, and Ban This Book. This action-packed novel tackles topics both timely and timeless: courage, survival, and the quest for home. Her twin brother, Pasoon, never forgave the American infidels and vows to join the Taliban insurgency. 2021 Amazon.com Childrens Top 20 Best Books of the Year So Far His father talks to Richard. How much detail do we share? Nine-year-old Brandon Chavez heads into Manhattan with his father who works in the Windows on the World, the toney restaurant atop the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Ground Zero by Alan Gratz. Oscar, Elizabeth. Gratzs deeply moving writing paints vivid images of the loss and fear of those who lived through the trauma of 9/11. And Brandon is in the middle of it all. Summary: Brandon has been suspended from school and is spending the day of September 11, 2001 with his dad, who works at the Windows of the World restaurant in the World Trade Center. Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club thats right for you for free. The author of the Anastasia books as well as more serious fiction (Rabble Starkey, 1987) offers her first historical fictiona story about the escape of the Jews from Denmark in 1943. This item cannot be shipped to your selected delivery location. Ground Zero Background | GradeSaver Can Brandon surviveand escape? 2021 Grateful American Book Prize The novel covers in alternating chapters the stories of two characters, Brandon Chavez, a nine-year-old boy living in New York City in 2001, and Reshmina, an 11-year-old Afghan girl living near Asadabad in 2019. help you understand the book. The fierce fighting between the Afghan National Army, supported by the Americans, and the Taliban insurgents who seek to return the country to a rigid Muslim theocracy has raged for close to 20 years. But Reshmina also learns something surprising about the roots of this endless war. Reshmina dreams of being more than the dutiful wife and mother that her Muslim culture demands her to be. Ground Zero - Pages 1 - 73 Summary & Analysis Alan Gratz This Study Guide consists of approximately 62 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of Ground Zero. Brandon accompanies his father to the World Trade Center on that fateful day. This story, however, is merely about connections and coincidence, not connections and conspiracies. Ground Zero by Alan Gratz - Books on Google Play Really bad idea, especially when Brandon is separated from him, eventually finding a friend in Richard. Study Guide: Ground Zero by Alan Gratz (SuperSummary) [SuperSummary] on Amazon.com. When his father isnt looking, Brandon sneaks out to buy a toy in the mall. Two kids. You can help us out by revising, improving and updating It is a crisp September Tuesday in 2001. Best summary PDF, themes, and quotes. Lois Lowry As a girl, Reshmina worked from the moment she woke up until she went to sleep at night. CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | She is in fact teaching herself English. On the subway, Brandons father lectures his son. As he tries to climb along a ledge to get to the opposite stairwell, Brandon gets dizzy and almost falls to his death when he is rescued by the man he helped earlier, whose name is Richard Lowery. The main characters are Brandon Chavez and Reshmina. Alan Gratzs books always hit where it hurts, in the best possible way, but Ground Zero might just be the one to have the most impact for me. Ground Zero study guide contains a biography of Alan Gratz, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. If I hadn't been forced to read it for school I wouldn't of. When her brother finds out, he is livid and heads up to the mountains to tell the Taliban who hide out in caves. Many others weren't as lucky though, and this story was definitely an important one to be told and to remember the lives that were lost and the brave souls who sacrificed their lives helping others. Following September 11, 2001 attacks, the American soldiers wage war on Afghanistan to revenge against the atrocities committed by the terrorists. We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make your own. Oscar, Elizabeth. everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of Ground Zero. During this time the building starts tremoring convulsively. The rumor had been started by the Taliban itself who then ambush the government troops. After you claim a section youll have 24 hours to send in a draft. Richard tells Brandon he can home with him. Scholastic Press, 2021. The Question and Answer section for Ground Zero is a great The alternating event occurs in the countryside region of Afghanistan in 2019. Lois Lowry, by Ground Zero by Alan Gratz - Center for Teaching & Learning You can help us out by revising, improving and updating USA Today Bestseller List, 2022 Hampshire (UK) Book Award Winner Ground Zero will appeal to middle-grade readers, who were born after the events of 9/11, and to those adults who lived through it and will never forget. Code of Honor Alan Gratz No preview available - 2018. It looks like WhatsApp is not installed on your phone. With over 100+ Common Core aligned materials, students will develop their literacy skills while deeply engaging with the novel through this 6-WEEK unit. Ground Zero Summary & Study Guide - www.BookRags.com Without warning, Afghan and American troops swarm the village going door to door looking for a Taliban weapons cache. We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make yourown. What do we tell them? Taking turns, chapter by chapter was annoying. When Taz is found wounded by Reshmina, he recalls the events that occurred eighteen years ago and understands the importance of working together. When shes not saving the world, reading Nancy Drew or eating Dreamsicles, Glory shares the heartache of being the kid sister of a preoccupied teenager, friendship gone awry and the terrible cost of blabbing peoples secrets mostly in a humorously sassy first-person voice. The story shows how retribution causes more troubles rather than solutions. 2021-2022 Junior Tome Society It List All Rights Reserved. Alan Gratz has done it again. Horn Book, Gratzs deeply moving writing paints vivid images of the loss and fear of those who lived through the trauma of 9/11. Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. You can help us out by revising, improving and updating Gratz moves back and forth between the two narratives in short, nail-biting chapters that create a vivid picture of each setting and make readers feel invested in each characters relationships and choices, and in the high-stakes global forces that affect the intimate details of their lives. Brandon has been dismissed from the school following the physical altercation between him and another boy. Two years earlier, Reshminas older sister had been killed when her wedding had been strafed by American drones dispatched under the mistaken assumption that wedding guests firing off rifles to celebrate were in fact a Taliban sniper nest. Nominee for Best Middle Grade & Children's (2021). . It was really good and had a great climax. by Alan Gratz Hardcover . Lois Lowry Trying to fix the damage done due to standing up to a bully, Brandon sneaks away from his father, who is a chef at Windows on the World. 2021 Amazon.com Best Books of the Year, 2023 Wisconsin Golden Archer Middle Grade Book Award Nominee Desperate, Reshmina follows to head him off. Suddenly, an airplane hits the building, forever changing Brandon's life, his father's life, the thousands of lives of the people working in the skyscraper, and the world. However, this nuance doesnt extend to the Afghan characters; Reshmina and Pasoon feel one-dimensional. Print Word PDF Take our free Ground Zero quiz below, with 25 multiple choice questions that help you test your knowledge. Scholastic Press, $17.99 (336p) ISBN 978-1-338-24575-2. He is not nearly as happy about the changes wrought by the American influence on his country and is making plans to join the Taliban. Brandons father, Leo Chavez, works as a chef at one of the restaurants situated in the North Tower. Gratzs deeply moving writing paints vivid images of the loss and fear of those who lived through the trauma of 9/11. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . As with all Gratz books, students will be submitting holds because no matter how many copies I purchase for my library I wont have enough. I was a bit worried going into this one. Then Brandon feels the ground shudder overhead and then everything goes dark. We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make yourown. There are rulesYou punch somebody, you get suspended, no matter why you did it (5). A must-have. Finally, she decides to help the soldier from being killed by the Taliban. Ground Zero - Kindle edition by Gratz, Alan. Children Kindle eBooks resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss thenovel. 2022 Texas Library Association Lone Star Reading List In time for the twentieth anniversary of 9/11, master storyteller Alan Gratz (Refugee) delivers a pulse-pounding and unforgettable take on history and hope, revenge and fear -- and the stunning links between the past and present. Pros: Alan Gratz has produced another historical fiction novel filled with compelling characters and heart-pounding action. 2022-2023 Tennessee State Book Award Nominee Brandon is the 9-year old son of a chef at Windows on the World, the restaurant atop the North Tower at the World Trade Center. This book was very hard to read and upsetting, due to the nature of the subject matter. Brandon and Reshmina cannot discern the purpose served by the attacks. Brandon goes to work with his Dad on 9/11 who works on the 107 floor of the World Trade Center. GROUND ZERO by Alan Gratz RELEASE DATE: Feb. 2, 2021 Parallel storylines take readers through the lives of two young people on Sept. 11 in 2001 and 2019. Ground Zero Middle Grade Book Alan Gratz - bookroo.com Ground Zero is a realistic fiction work for young readers by Alan Gratz about both September 11 and life in Afghanistan two decades later. On September 11, 2001, Brandon joins his father at his job in the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Without telling his Dad he tries to go to the shopping center floor and there he gets stuck in the elevator when the 1st plane hits. by Alan Gratz Ground Zero Summary These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community. Fights and revenge lead to more troubles rather than resolving the issues. Ground Zero - Pages 1 - 73 Summary & Analysis - www.BookRags.com More books than SparkNotes. $15.99. While heading to the workplace, Leo advises his son against engaging in fistfights. Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2022. An editor RELEASE DATE: Jan. 1, 2012. Ground Zero Quotes by Alan Gratz - goodreads.com Its free and takes less than 10 seconds! Flood. For a Middle Grader reading this I recommend a parent reading this 1st to see if it is a story you child should read? The book expanded our perspectives. In Stock. In the case of any war, there is no winner. This item: Ground Zero. In 2001, Brandon Chavez is spending the day with his father, who works at the World Trade Centers Windows on the World restaurant. It is during this time the first plane is flown into the twin towers. I also felt like this book would be much too intense for my 11 year old. She is a young girl living in war-ravaged Afghanistan who must grow up too quickly to enjoy conveniences like optimism: "You Americans think you can fix everything by throwing money at itBut your friend was right. Ground Zero: A Novel of 9/11 by Alan Gratz | A Kids Book A Day Captain America: The Ghost Army (Original Graphic Novel), Children's Action & Adventure Books (Books), Learn more how customers reviews work on Amazon, Scholastic; 1st edition (February 4, 2021). War has a negative impact on the lives of people. Retrieve credentials. It is a harder read even for me a 52 year old. I spent a week reading all of the Goodreads Choice Awards finalists in the Middle Grade category, complete with my entire thoughts on each book, and which books I think should have won and in what order. As it turns out, Taz and the rest of his platoon have been lured int a trap by the Taliban and he is badly wounded. The entire book was oh I'm going to live!, oh wait no I'm not!, oh I'm going to live! The telling of the two narratives are separate, but intricately intertwined with imagery, political philosophical, and even characters. I liked this book until the last chapter when the author felt the need to put his political opinion in rather than stick to the historical background he used in the rest of the book. Sexton, Timothy. ; Get it as soon as Monday, Jan 16. Categories: Hes a fantastic writer, Im looking forward to this one. There, Brandon struggles to understand the news reports about the terrorists who had attacked the Towers. The Ground Zero Community Note includes chapter-by-chapter summary and analysis, character list, theme list, historical context, author biography and quizzes written by community members like you. influencers in the know since 1933. Taz is the nickname of an America soldier who develops a close bond with Reshmina. While performing his duty, a fire erupts in the kitchen and the young boy sneaks out to purchase the Wolverine gloves to hand over to his friend once he gets back to school. Should we leave? After the fierce gunfight, Reshmina finds an American soldier wounded and left behind. An editor Can they escape -- and what will the world be like when they do? Ground Zerowill appeal to middle-grade readers, who were born after the events of 9/11, and to those adults who lived through it and will never forget. Explanations for the U.S. military invasion of Afghanistan in the authors note and in characters conversations too simplistically present the U.S. presence. His 2017 novel. This is a riveting story told from two points of view that finally converge. Ground Zero Metaphors and Similes | GradeSaver Reshmina declines and returns to her family and the rubble that is her village. Please try again. Alan Gratz. This book captivated me and I read it in a day. Your email address will not be published. Not affiliated with Harvard College. Library 2035 S. Naper Blvd., Naperville, IL 60565 . The two young characters are directly affected by the war they know nothing about. 2021 Sandhills Bestseller List These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community. The story is told in alternation chapters. Brandon would not normally be available to spend an early September day at his fathers place of employment, of course, but it just so happens that he was recently suspended. Ground Zero by Alan Gratz | Goodreads Ground Zero. resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss thenovel. Anyone of any age can learn from this book and others by this author. Ground Zero: A Novel of 9/11 by Alan Gratz Share Item #101764 in Online-Only Grades: 5 - 8 Ages: 10 - 13 Format: Paperback Book Write a review Short Summary In this work of historical fiction, the anniversary of 9/11 reminds two young people of the tragic events that changed their lives forever. RELEASE DATE: April 1, 1989. thissection. Get it Jan 19 - 24. Wow. These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community. She lives in a remote village where the Taliban lurk, and her twin brother is trying to find his own way. Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video! Brandon seems haunted by what happened in the school leading to his suspension. 2022-2023 Ohio Buckeye Book Award Nominee It went beyond 9/11. 2022 Kansas NEA Reading Circle Recommended Titles,Junior Level In his characteristic style, he ends each chapter with a cliff-hanger, then picks up the narrative of the other character. Follow me on Twitter: @alangratz, The plot starts at a heart-pounding pace and never relents A contemporary history lesson with the uplifting message that humanitys survival depends on us working for, not against, one another. With his signature accessibility and insight, Gratz tackles events on both U.S. soil and abroad inGround Zero.. will appeal to middle-grade readers, who were born after the events of 9/11, and to those adults who lived through it and will never forget. These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community. Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2022, Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2022. Suspended from school for standing up to a bully, he goes to work with his father on 9/11. Apart from Lise's offstage death, there is little violence here; like Annemarie, the reader is protected from the full implications of eventsbut will be caught up in the suspense and menace of several encounters with soldiers and in Annemarie's courageous run as courier on the night of the escape. Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2023. A few moments later, Brandon and his father arrive at the working place. Descriptions of the Talibans Afghan victims and Reshmina's gentle father notwithstanding, references to all young men eventually joining the Taliban and Pasoon's zeal for their cause counteract this messaging. Brandons mother died recently after a long battle with cancer. Jonathan Stroh, by I really liked the book and the broken under ground mall part was great and the building falling over I do recommend it. Tazs nickname is earned as a result of the stuffed Tasmanian Devil figure that never leaves his side, working as a powerful talisman of good fortune in the face of overwhelmingly bad odds of survival. 20 Total Resources View Text Complexity Discover Like Books Audio Excerpt from Ground Zero; Video Book Trailer for Ground Zero; Name Pronunciation with Alan Gratz; Grade; 4-8; Genre; Historical Fiction; Year Published 2021. I love this author their work is great. Ground Zero by Alan Gratz - Book Review | lit-lessons.com Thank you Rockstar Book Tours and Scholastic for a complimentary copy. will review the submission and either publish your submission or providefeedback. The novel explores the consequences of war on innocent civilians who have no comprehension of the happenings leading up to the confrontation. If I were still teaching 6th or 7th grade reading, this author would be one I could recommend to certain students. Especially toward the middle. The two storylines develop in parallel through alternating chapters. Ground Zero Alan Gratz Activities Teaching Resources | TPT The author of the book, Alan Gratz, deliberately uses children to demonstrate how revenge culminates in the suffering of innocent victims. I voluntarily reviewed this book. Her family and village become targets when they decide to extend sanctuary according to Muslim tradition when he enters their home. The author through the characters stresses the importance of working together and avoiding the situations that lead to wars. Explosions from overhead rock the caves. Reshmina and Pasoon thus becomes engaged in a face-off over the fate of the soldier with the strange doll attached to his uniform. Brandon knows his father is dead. GradeSaver, 17 February 2022 Web. Barnes & Noble Best Young Reader Books of 2021 Alan Gratz This Study Guide consists of approximately 62 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of Ground Zero. The authors note tied everything up well - the history and his connection to this horrific day. Eleven year old Reshmina has grown up in the shadow of war, but she dreams of peace and progress. Both events occur due to war conflict between America and middle east countries. I remember 9/11 like it was yesterday so the fact we are coming up on the 20th anniversary is mind blowing. Our 12 year old is not a huge reader, but he is devouring this book. at the World Trade Center in New York City. And that perfectly logical coincidental series of events is how any number of conspiracy theories are born. I loved this book. War leads to a lose-lose situation. September 11, 2001, New York City: Brandon is visiting his dad at work, on the 107th floor of the World Trade Center.