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Branches of Hope: The 9/11 Survivor Tree Kindle Edition

by Ann Magee (Author), Nicole Wong (Illustrator) Format: Kindle Edition
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 97 ratings
See all formats and editions
“This true-life fable about a tree that survived 9/11 commemorates the attack while evoking a resilient spirit and the healing power of nature."
—Carole Boston Weatherford, author of Newbery Honor book BOX

“Branches of Hope is a tribute to resilience and hope, a gentle way to talk with our youngest readers about the memory of 9/11.”
—Kate Messner, author of The Brilliant Deep: Rebuilding the World's Coral Reefs

The branches of the 9/11 Survivor Tree poked through the rubble at Ground Zero. They were glimpses of hope in the weeks after September 11, 2001.

Remember and honor the events of 9/11 and celebrate how hope appears in the midst of hardship. The Survivor Tree found at Ground Zero was rescued, rehabilitated, and then replanted at the 9/11 Memorial site in 2011. This is its story.

In this moving tribute to a city and its people, a wordless story of a young child accompanies the tree's history. As the tree heals, the girl grows into an adult, and by the 20th anniversary of 9/11, she has become a firefighter like her first-responder uncle. A life-affirming introduction to how 9/11 affected the United States and how we recovered together.
Previous page
  1. Reading age
    4 - 7 years
  2. Print length
    32 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Preschool - 2
  5. Publisher
    Charlesbridge
  6. Publication date
    May 18, 2021
  7. Page Flip
    Not Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Not Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Not Enabled
  10. Sticky notes
    Not Enabled
  11. ISBN-13
    978-1623541323
  12. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

♦ Text and pictures attest to the resilience of New Yorkers and a remarkable tree following 9/11.
A pear tree is discovered—scarred, burned, and buried—under mounds of rubble after the collapse of the Twin Towers and replanted in a nursery in the Bronx, where it eventually regrows and thrives. This deeply touching book equates the tree’s extraordinary renaissance with New Yorkers’ reawakened strength, spirit, and hope in the aftermath of the tragedy. One particular family—portrayed as an interracial couple (mom presents Black and dad, White) and their very young child—stand in for all New York’s and, indeed, America’s citizens and are depicted in opening scenes innocently enjoying daily life. Everything changes after they watch in bewildered horror as the awful events unfold on TV. Illustrations very ably accompany the simple, solemn text, using both double-page spreads and paneled insets; they highlight and interconnect the passing of time for tree and humans. The “Survivor Tree” is reborn, ultimately returned to its original site and replanted; first responders at ground zero work diligently; the child grows and gains a baby sibling; ordinary activities continue; seasons change; and a 9/11 memorial is built. At book’s end, the child has grown to adulthood and become a New York City firefighter. Several somber-colored illustrations capture the disaster, but the artwork doesn’t dwell on devastation, instead focusing on bright, uplifting images of hope and recovery. An author’s note and information about the tree conclude the book.
Moving and poignant, a tender tribute in this 20th-anniversary commemoration of 9/11.
—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“Season after season, the tree grew./ Each spring arrived with warm whispers and healing rain.” Commemorating 9/11 two decades after its occurrence, debut author Magee’s free verse narrative focuses on a city’s endurance as symbolized by New York City’s Survivor Tree, a Callery pear in the World Trade Center Plaza that survived the buildings’ collapse. Alongside the visual story of the attacks and their aftermath, Wong’s detailed digital illustrations present the wordless tale of a child, a toddler during the attacks, growing up and becoming a first responder. In a scrapbook-style layout, snapshots of the brown-skinned, biracial child’s family life appear alongside full-bleed illustrations of the tree’s recovery, new growth, and replanting at ground zero a decade later. The combination of picture and verse effectively delivers the message that comfort can be found in remembrance and the continuity of life. Back matter includes contextualizing information about the Survivor Tree, an author’s note, and a selected bibliography.
—Publishers Weekly

A young girl, who is biracial, and her family experience the tragedy of the terrorist attacks of 9/11 in New York City, with the special lens of having a family member who is in the New York City Fire Department. Through juxtaposed wordless illustrated scenes and illustrations with text, readers experience the tragedy of the day, the aftermath, and the healing of the city and those who bravely came to the rescue. Also featured is a tree, a Callery pear tree that survived the destruction of the World Trade Center. The tree was excavated from the rubble and years later replanted near the South Pool at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. Digital illustrations do not shy away from the destruction and tragedy of 9/11 but the focus on the helpers and the passage of time allow for hope to form the central essence of the book. Connections to the Survivor Tree in Oklahoma City (as detailed in Chris Barton’s All of a Sudden and Forever) speak to the resilience of nature and humankind in the face of tragedy. Back matter includes information regarding the Survivor Tree Seedling Program. VERDICT Highly recommended for a generation of elementary students looking for a hopeful entry point to a hard moment in American history.
—School Library Journal

This memoir-like story, told in spare, careful sentences that recall helping actions around 9/11, portrays the day and subsequent years by following the growth of a little girl and of a tree that survived the attack. The 9/11 Survivor Tree was found at Ground Zero and moved to a nursery, a move that, like some other events in the book, is shown only in the art, thoughtfully leaving adults to fill in children’s questions with the level of detail a child can handle. Seasons change, the years pass, and the tree eventually returns as part of the 9/11 memorial. Paralleling that story is that of thelittle girl, part of an FDNY family, who lives near the World Trade Center with her Black mom and white dad. Gentle text and bright, detailed images with lots of trees and plants show the best parts of life after tragedy. An afterword gives more advanced details on 9/11 and on the 9/11 Survivor Tree Seedling Program, which shares hope with cities that have experienced tragedy. A great addition to public and school library shelves.
—Booklist

A pear tree that survived the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York City has become a symbol of hope in adversity. Magee's respectful, lyrical text follows the tree's story through the seasons from its discovery as "something green among the ashes," to its regrowth off-site, to its replanting at Ground Zero ten years later. Wong's softly textured illustrations incorporate a wordless fictional story, told via inset panels, featuring a mixed-race girl and her family (including an FDNY firefighting relative); their lives parallel the tree's resilience. Both text and art present events soberly but with a young audience in mind; the girl's reassuring story helps temper more scary aspects. "More About the Survivor Tree's Journey," an author's note, and selected bibliography are appended.
—The Horn Book

About the Author

Debut author Ann Magee has been a Jersey girl all her life. A former elementary-school teacher, she loves teaching reading and writing. She lives with her husband and three children--her favorite people--in New Jersey.

Nicole Wong has illustrated many books for children, including Flying Deep; To the Stars!; No Monkeys, No Chocolate; Maxwell's Mountain; and Wild Rose's Weaving. www.nicole-wong.com

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08GJT8RQ5
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Charlesbridge (May 18, 2021)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 18, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 15103 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Not enabled
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 97 ratings

About the author

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Ann Magee

Ann Magee

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Ann Magee is an elementary school educator, children’s writer, and lifelong learner. She lives in New Jersey and is married with three grown children—her favorite people in the world. In her free time, you can find her volunteering for several community organizations or reading everything from picture books to poetry and mystery novels. She’s more of an ‘inside-girl’ and enjoys cooking, baking, and doing anything creative. One fun fact about her is that she has an identical twin sister named Donna, and her husband has an identical twin brother named Don. To find out more, please visit her website www.annmagee.net.

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
97 global ratings
Resiliency and hope
5 Stars
Resiliency and hope
This lovely illustrated and written picture book is a reminder how resilient we all are as individuals and as a nation. It’s a must read for all ages, from preschool on.Amongst the ashes at ground zero was this little tree; still very much alive.This book is a gentle way to expose young readers to the tragedy that happened on September 11th. It allows families to dive deeper into the illustrations and text on their own time and in their own words.
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Top reviews from the United States

Sarah Wilson
5.0 out of 5 stars Resiliency and hope
Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2022
Verified Purchase
This lovely illustrated and written picture book is a reminder how resilient we all are as individuals and as a nation. It’s a must read for all ages, from preschool on.

Amongst the ashes at ground zero was this little tree; still very much alive.

This book is a gentle way to expose young readers to the tragedy that happened on September 11th. It allows families to dive deeper into the illustrations and text on their own time and in their own words.
Customer image
Sarah Wilson
5.0 out of 5 stars Resiliency and hope
Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2022
This lovely illustrated and written picture book is a reminder how resilient we all are as individuals and as a nation. It’s a must read for all ages, from preschool on.

Amongst the ashes at ground zero was this little tree; still very much alive.

This book is a gentle way to expose young readers to the tragedy that happened on September 11th. It allows families to dive deeper into the illustrations and text on their own time and in their own words.
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Jafferty Slumlough
5.0 out of 5 stars AN OUTSTANDING BOOK - A MUST-HAVE FOR EVERY LIBRARY
Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2021
Verified Purchase
This is a book that needs to be in every classroom or library. The gorgeous prose combined with the parallel story told through the illustrations, is a powerful combination for telling the story of 9/11 to young readers. BRANCHES OF HOPE is a deeply-moving book that gives children room to process their thoughts and emotions of an American tragedy, while finding hope for the future. Congratulations to Ann Magee, debut author, and Nicole E. Wong on creating an important book for generations to come.
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Samantha A.
5.0 out of 5 stars Gentle introduction to 9/11 for kids
Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2022
Verified Purchase
I knew I wanted to teach my kids about the importance of this day but they are too young for the whole truth. This was perfect to introduce the significance of 9/11 at a younger age
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kevin toth
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book to help children learn about 9/11
Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2021
Verified Purchase
Especially with the 20th Anniversary coming up, this book is a great book to help children learn about what happened on Sept. 11, 2001. But it does more than that. It teaches the children about hope in the face of tragedy and that they can make the world a better place. I wish I had this book when my children were small to help them deal with this very difficult topic.
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Kieran Dilks
5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended
Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2021
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Excellent book for our children.
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NC Mom
5.0 out of 5 stars Important book with message of hope and resilience
Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2022
This book is a great way to discuss the tragic events of 9/11 with children. It is age appropriate, and by focusing on a tree that survives, it ends with a message of hope and resilience.
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Kory A Dordea
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing story!
Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2021
As a former elementary school teacher turned homeschool mom, I found this to be a heartwarming book about the little-known story of the 9/11 survivors' tree. With soft, peaceful illustrations and lyrical writing, the author of Branches of Hope, explains the story of how the tree became what it is today. The book does not explain what happened on 9/11, other than some tasteful illustrations, which I feel creates the perfect opportunity for teachers or parents to speak to their kids about 9/11 in a way that makes them comfortable. I had never heard of the survivor's tree before reading this book, but now I would like to take my kids to visit it someday.
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Jacquie Sewell
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful story of hope
Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2021
I had not heard about the 9/11 Survivor Tree until I read this book. Ann Magee's almost poetic text conveys the story of 9/11 through the story of a pear tree that somehow, miraculously, survived the devastation of the terrorist attack. Nicole Wong's illustrations help inform the story of the tree while also sharing the story of a child whose parents wisely protected her from the brunt of the horrific attack. Tree and child grow and thrive, giving hope for the future. A beautiful book that provides parents and teachers with a positive way to tell children about 9/11.
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