In Which Sue Decides What To Do With 9/11 Books

A few months ago I started putting together a list of holidays and dates to use for displays. That was the first time I thought of 9/11 as a retailer. I knew right away that we wouldn't have promotions related to this horrible date and I was sure we wouldn't display 9/11 books. But.....

There are really interesting books out commemorating 9/11. Some had already been published, some reissued, but they got me thinking. A bookstore is a place of ideas. The books are no different than any history book. Displaying them is not the same as marketing or exploiting them.

Like everyone else I will pay my respects to those who lost loved ones that day. Brian and I were fortunate not to have a close connection. His sister lives there but we heard she was OKearly on. My brother lost a close friend but I never knew the friend. I was an American who counted my blessings and was sad for the victims and the nation as a whole.

Matt was in sixth grade and Meg was a fourth grader. We talked about it as much as any families may have but I avoided any and all news coverage after the first few days. I had lost my mom, dad and grandma in 1998 so to be honest I was not looking for anything else to grieve.

I knew there were countless incredibly sad stories being told but I chose not to face them. At about the five-year mark I made a point to watch anniversary coverage and prayed for the victim's families that were depicted so sadly.

After the deaths I experienced I vowed never to judge how anyone grieves. That said, I personally found some of these books an interesting way to pay my respects. Not exactly the same as knowing history so as not to repeat it but close to that.

Please feel free to come in and take a look at these books over the next week or so. Or not... (well, I mean come in anyway, you know what I mean!) 

1. "Angel In The Rubble The Miraculous Rescue of 9/11's Last Survivor"

Genelle Guzman-McMillan

 The title is self explanatory. This book has been described as impossible to put down and inspiring. It chronicles Genelle's life fulfilling the promises she made to God if she were to survive as she lay trapped for hours. 

2. "Faces Of Hope, Babies Born On 9/11" (2002)

There is also an updated version showing cute pictures of these now 10 year olds. Christina Naman Pesera compiled this book as a way of expressing her grief and looking for hope which anyone can find in the faces of newborns. 

She also concludes a sad but fitting tribute to Christina Taylor Green who was shot and killed on 1/8/2011 in Tucson. 

3. "The Legacy Letters: Messages Of Life and Hope From The Families Of 9/11" 

Ten years after the tragic events of September 11, 2001, the family members of one hundred of the individuals lost on that terrible day look back-and forward-in this inspiring collection of letters.

The letters are written by brothers, mothers, sisters, any and all family members in the hope of honoring their loved one's memories and add to the purpose of their lives taken away so tragically.

1. The People Speak

I love this one. It is short but very moving. It is a compilation of messages that have been left at the Trade Center site. Below is the description of the author, Lee Ielpi: 

Lee Ielpi is a native of Great Neck, New York. Lee is a father of two girls, Anne Marie and Melissa, and two boys, Jonathan and Brendan, and grandfather of seven grandchildren. Lee volunteered with his local Great Neck Vigilant Fire Department and spent his career as a firefighter with the New York City Fire Department serving as a member of Rescue 2. Since losing his son Jonathan Lee Ielpi, Squad 288, FDNY, at the World Trade Center, Lee has dedicated himself to responding to the attacks on the World Trade Center with an eye towards making tomorrow a better day. He joined with the September 11th Families' Association in November 2001 to represent the interests of the 9/11 community. Lee has served on the Board of Directors since 2002 and has served as the Board President since 2007. In 2004, Lee along with Jennifer Adams co-founded the Tribute WTC Visitor Center.

 There is also the official 9/11 Report and books on Al Qaeda and The Patriot Act, every subject related to the last 10 years.

Lastly, there are even a few children's books. One of them will have me thinking for a long time. I would love to know what people think of it when they come in the store.

1. "America Is Under Attack: September 11^th", 2001 by Don Brown

Don Brown is apparently known for writing non-fiction really well for children. He has written military stories and about the Titanic etc. I have read his 9/11 book a few times now. It is written really well. I think the illustrations are fantastic too and that's my problem. Even as a mom who discussed anything and everything with our kids at a level they could understand, i.e. teachable moments I can't imagine reading this to them! That is not a judgment in any way about anyone who would. I also know there is already discussion about making sure future generations understand what happened that day. Well make no mistake about it, if you read this to them at bedtime, they'll know!

The other children's book we have I highly recommend:

Fireboat: The Heroic Adventures of the John J Harvey. Written by Maira Kalman in 2002 it does a great job of explaining what the fireboats did and do and how they were called into action that day.

So, yes, I will admit that I like that book much better because of its “happy” ending. I'm not giving too much away if I tell you the John J Harvey was retired, a hero, after 9/11. (They depict the tragedy that the boat is responding to but the beginning and end are about the boat.)

Maybe some of you will think its obvious to want the “happy” ending book, maybe not. That's what makes parenting such a challenge.

No matter what I hope you stop in and take a look. We'll still have most of the titles later but they'll be mixed back in on the shelves. One last note: please ask about the books related to Hurricane Katrina. Just as fascinating and poignant.