Holmdel Students At Satz School Meet 9/11 Author Of "Eleven"

HOLMDEL, NJ — Last Monday, April 16, students at Satz School were visited by Tom Rogers, author of the novel "Eleven," the story of a young boy whose birthday falls on Sept. 11, 2001.

Rogers, pictured above, center, is also the author of many screenplays for Disney television shows and movies, such as the show "Princess Elena of Avalor," which features the first Hispanic Disney princess. He also penned Disney's "The Lion King 1 1/2."

But the main thing he talked about last week was his writing process in creating the novel "Eleven."

"Eleven" is the story of Alex, a ten-year-old boy who is turning eleven and desperately wants to get a dog for his birthday. But the day does not go as expected, as the audience learns that the story is taking place on September 11, 2001.

Many Satz students said the book deeply touched them, and admitted they were crying during several places in the story. For other Holmdel children, "Eleven" was very personal, as they had family members who were directly affected by the 9/11 attacks.

"I wasn't there. I did not feel the feeling of those who watched as the towers disappeared forever, leaving, as Tom Rogers put it, 'a hole in the sky,'" said Satz student Alex Rabkin. "But this book provides me an opportunity to almost get level with those there on that day ... I got to see this moment in history through the eyes of someone my age, and it changed my perspective entirely."

"Through [the novel], I learned to appreciate my parents and everything they do for me and now I take every chance I can to tell them I love them," said student Genna Fernand.

"Thank you, Tom Rogers, for this amazing, influencing book that has taught me to appreciate everything that I have," agreed Satz student Gregory Lin.

Rogers said two things inspired him to write "Eleven:" First, he met with teachers who told him they lacked materials to teach 9/11 in a way appropriate for young students. Also, he was struck by an interview with a Holocaust survivor.

"There are terrible things in our history we need to learn about," he said. "There are two phrases that came after the Holocaust: 'Never forget,' and 'Tell the story.' In order to never forget, you have to know. And to know, you have to tell the story. 'Never forget' also became part of the discussion of 9/11."

He also explained that books are important in the middle school years to help students understand that "the world isn't always fair and just. Through stories, we put ourselves in the shoes of people going through difficult times."

Rogers's visit was part of a program at Satz called "One School, One Book, One Read," in which every student and teacher is invited to read the same book, and then discuss it. Rogers also had a private lunch with a group of students who had participated in a contest to win lunch with the author. In addition to the lunch, Rogers gave presentations to both the 7th grade and 8th grades.

"Thank you Mr. Rogers! I cannot thank you enough because you wrote this amazing book that has changed the way I see the world," said Satz student Andrew Wang.