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Sean Rubin
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This Very Tree: A Story of 9/11, Resilience, and Regrowth Kindle Edition

by Sean Rubin (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 287 ratings
See all formats and editions

A deeply moving story about community and resilience, from the point-of-view of the Callery pear tree that survived the attacks on September 11, from Eisner Award-nominated author-illustrator Sean Rubin.

* "A resonant, beautifully rendered testament to life and renewal." —Kirkus, starred review

In the 1970s, nestled between the newly completed Twin Towers in New York City, a Callery pear tree was planted. Over the years, the tree provided shade for people looking for a place to rest and a home for birds, along with the first blooms of spring.

On September 11, 2001, everything changed. The tree’s home was destroyed, and it was buried under the rubble. But a month after tragedy struck, a shocking discovery was made at Ground Zero: the tree had survived.

Dubbed the “Survivor Tree,” it was moved to the Bronx to recover. And in the thoughtful care of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, the Callery pear was nursed back to health. Almost a decade later, the Survivor Tree returned home and was planted in the 9/11 Memorial to provide beauty and comfort…and also hope.

This is the story of that tree—and of a nation in recovery. Told from the tree’s perspective, This Very Tree is a touching tribute to first responders, the resilience of America, and the restorative power of community.

Previous page
  1. Reading age
    6 - 8 years, from customers
  2. Print length
    48 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    1 - 2
  5. Publisher
    Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
  6. Publication date
    May 11, 2021
  7. Page Flip
    Not Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Not Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Not Enabled
  10. Sticky notes
    Not Enabled
  11. ISBN-13
    978-1250788504
  12. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 1–4—Rubin tells of a pear tree that lived between the World Trade Center's Twin Towers. "She" enjoys her life, giving people shade and birds a place to rest. Then one day, everything goes dark and falls down around her; she is buried under the rubble. When she is discovered days later, she is taken to a park to recover and grow strong again. This is the story of one tree—and one city's journey toward healing and regrowth. The gentle line drawings and watercolor illustrations depict a beautiful city and a diverse population. Illustrations treat the events of 9/11 with care; without becoming graphic, the story is evident. There are scenes showing the slow rebuilding of the One World Trade Center tower and the regrowth of the tree; both grow stronger and are eventually reintroduced to the public. Back matter includes an author's note, a brief history of the World Trade Center, a recounting of the events of 9/11 and the real surviving tree, and a note on the illustrations and selected sources. VERDICT What an unusual way to capture that day; this beautiful book deserves a spot in elementary collections across the country.—Sara Thomas, New Castle P.L., DE

Review

A Chickadee Award nominee, Children's Literature Assembly Notable Children’s Book in the Language Arts, Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year, and Bank Street Best Book of the Year

* "Splendid illustrations . . . A resonant, beautifully rendered testament to life and renewal." ―Kirkus, starred review

* "Rubin’s lively and energetic cartoon art takes the focus quickly from destruction and desolation to growth and renewal . . . A volume that could be part of any unit on 9/11 for children, or a lesson on resilience. " ―Horn Book, starred review

"A poignant tribute to a city’s resilience and a powerful introduction to the topic for young readers." ―Publishers Weekly

"This beautiful book deserves a spot in elementary collections across the country." ―School Library Journal

"A stirring story of hope and healing in the aftermath of immense tragedy." ―Bookpage

"Inspiring . . . Particularly striking is the growth of the tree and the new tower at the site of the World Trade Center, shown in a series of parallel illustrations. Although the circumstances are different, this story of urban resilience and rebuilding remains relevant today." ―Booklist

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08ZLMH2G9
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) (May 11, 2021)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 11, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 63371 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Not enabled
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 48 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 287 ratings

About the author

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Sean Rubin

Sean Rubin

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Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9 out of 5
287 global ratings
Sensitive handling of the 9/11 attacks that focuses on resiliency and hope
5 Stars
Sensitive handling of the 9/11 attacks that focuses on resiliency and hope
This book really sensitively addresses what happened on 9/11 from the perspective of one of the trees that was planted in the World Trade Center Plaza and survived the attacks. It doesn’t directly say what happened, it alludes to it in a way that will almost certainly prompt a child to ask what happened and allows the parent to answer in their own way. But most importantly, the book is about how to respond to traumatic events with a sense of hope and resilience. That it’s okay to be scared and learn new ways to move forward.Be forewarned, any parent who was old enough to personally experience 9/11 will cry reading this book. But again, I think it was handled really sensitively and delicately so that most parents will be proud to use the story of the survivor tree as a teaching tool. It’s not a traumatic reenactment of the attack. I shared photos of the pages that directly talk to the twin towers falling so that you can see for yourself.
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Top reviews from the United States

Anna
5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely story!
Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2023
Verified Purchase
Added this lovely story to my school library.
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dd
5.0 out of 5 stars tactful, touching, moving
Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2021
Verified Purchase
the most important thing to know about this book (especially if you might be hesitant about the idea of a 9/11 children's book), is that it is told by the tree, the survivor tree. the book is not *about* 9/11; it is the *experience* of it. (the tree doesn't know or understand everything; it lives it.) the full experience: the normalcy before, the surprise and trauma, the questioning, the recovery.

and every step of the story and book is handled with tact and tender care, from the opening E.B. White expert to the author's and historical notes.

lastly, one sign of the story's truth and artistry, it can be moving and meaningful for readers of any age, and with any level of understanding of the events of 9/11: from young children who've never heard of 9/11 but sense the scariness of being uprooted from home, to adults who lived through their own 9/11 stories of trauma, recovery, and--in the book's beautifully hopeful end--regrowth.
6 people found this helpful
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Graham Scharf
5.0 out of 5 stars A picture book that teachers and parents will share again and again
Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2021
Verified Purchase
As a second- and third-grade teacher in Brooklyn, I always looked for picture books that connected with my students. The very best were so visually compelling that children sat alert, taking in each page. The prose helped my students to experience the story. A few books were so good that they "worked" without fail, capturing the emotions and imaginations of children.

"This Very Tree" is going to land on the short list of teachers everywhere (and particularly in NYC) for its visual and literary power. The author doesn't diminish the darkness of 9/11 or its pain. It is his use of chiaroscuro - contrasting the light of the blossoms with the blackness beneath the rubble - that invites children (and all of us) into the possibility of hope that emerges from utter darkness.

I'm a New Yorker. I lived through the attacks of 9/11. This story of resilience and healing rings true. I suspect I won't be the only one sharing it with children for its tender way of sharing our history.
9 people found this helpful
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Jonathan Keller
5.0 out of 5 stars The definitive book to introduce your young kids to the events of 9/11
Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2021
Verified Purchase
This book engages with trauma in a way that young children can relate to. Being told from the perspective of a pear tree that survived 9/11 but didn't know what was going on before/during/after but had to survive nonetheless makes this something that my kids (four of them 8 and under) were able to relate to. Everyone experiences trauma at some point. 9/11 was a lot of trauma for the whole US all at once, and being able to reflect on that from the perspective of a tree in an illustrated (not graphically violent) story format gives kids an accessible way to start understanding this traumatic series of events. I would highly recommend this book for any parent who has struggled with how to talk about 9/11 with their kids.
The post-script of the book has a more detailed and well-written explanation of the events of 9/11 which was helpful for my older children who wanted to learn more after reading the book.
4 people found this helpful
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K. Goss
5.0 out of 5 stars A Thoughtful New Take on the 9/11 Narrative
Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2021
Verified Purchase
This book offers a retelling of the way 9/11 reshaped so many lives and transformed a city from a new perspective - from that of the Survivor Tree. Emotionally moving and an accurate reminder the days and years felt in New York following the event, this book succeeds at grappling with one of the most traumatic days in our nation's recent history. Sean Rubin's portrayal of how survivors cope with and grow following such experiences is sensitive and well thought out. This narrative, the retelling of 9/11, and the description of the Survivor Tree's particular history are all told in a way that can initiate meaningful dialogues with even the youngest of readers.
As always, Rubin did an excellent job beautifully illustrating the very city that this tale honors. This comes as no surprise following similarly epic portrayals of New York in his Bolivar series.
A masterpiece for sure with no detail unconsidered - even down to the choice of fonts.
5 people found this helpful
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Working Mom of 2
5.0 out of 5 stars Sensitive handling of the 9/11 attacks that focuses on resiliency and hope
Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2021
Verified Purchase
This book really sensitively addresses what happened on 9/11 from the perspective of one of the trees that was planted in the World Trade Center Plaza and survived the attacks. It doesn’t directly say what happened, it alludes to it in a way that will almost certainly prompt a child to ask what happened and allows the parent to answer in their own way. But most importantly, the book is about how to respond to traumatic events with a sense of hope and resilience. That it’s okay to be scared and learn new ways to move forward.

Be forewarned, any parent who was old enough to personally experience 9/11 will cry reading this book. But again, I think it was handled really sensitively and delicately so that most parents will be proud to use the story of the survivor tree as a teaching tool. It’s not a traumatic reenactment of the attack. I shared photos of the pages that directly talk to the twin towers falling so that you can see for yourself.
Customer image
Working Mom of 2
5.0 out of 5 stars Sensitive handling of the 9/11 attacks that focuses on resiliency and hope
Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2021
This book really sensitively addresses what happened on 9/11 from the perspective of one of the trees that was planted in the World Trade Center Plaza and survived the attacks. It doesn’t directly say what happened, it alludes to it in a way that will almost certainly prompt a child to ask what happened and allows the parent to answer in their own way. But most importantly, the book is about how to respond to traumatic events with a sense of hope and resilience. That it’s okay to be scared and learn new ways to move forward.

Be forewarned, any parent who was old enough to personally experience 9/11 will cry reading this book. But again, I think it was handled really sensitively and delicately so that most parents will be proud to use the story of the survivor tree as a teaching tool. It’s not a traumatic reenactment of the attack. I shared photos of the pages that directly talk to the twin towers falling so that you can see for yourself.
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11 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-Read for September and 9/11.
Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2021
Verified Purchase
This book is a must-read, must-enjoy, must-heal visual experience, cathartic for all ages. Whether you remember 9/11 or some other difficult life-chapter, This Very Tree is a journey in regrowth.
One person found this helpful
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Lois Zollinhofer
5.0 out of 5 stars This Very Tree does not disappoint!!
Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2021
Verified Purchase
The author/illustrator, Sean Rubin, whose previous books have captured reader’s imaginations, has been able to capture a tragic event in our history (911) with tenderness, poignancy and hope. I have given this book to my 4 and 5 year old grandchildren and have had 4th grade children in my home who have thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Educationally, it’s a great template for a circle writing project, it could be a dig-deeper challenge for a research project and a wonderful discussion starter on hope and restoration. I highly recommend this book to moms and dads, nanas and grand-dads, teachers and anyone who wants to inspire and enrich the lives of those around them.
3 people found this helpful
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