Overview

From award-winning author Jewell Parker Rhodes, a powerful novel set fifteen years after the 9/11 attacks. When her fifth-grade teacher hints that a series of lessons about home and community will culminate with one big answer about two tall towers once visible outside their classroom window, Deja can't help but feel confused. She sets off on a journey of discovery, with new friends Ben and Sabeen by her side. But just as she gets closer to answering big questions about who she is, what America means, and how communities can grow (and heal), she uncovers new questions, too. Like, why does Pop get so angry when she brings up anything about the towers? Award-winning author Jewell Parker Rhodes tells a powerful story about young people who weren't alive to witness this defining moment in history, but begin to realize how much it colors their every day.

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9781478965688

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Reviews

"History made personal-and what a person! Deja's voice is real and memorable, her compelling story one of hope unmarred by sentimentality. -- ""Linda Sue Park, New York Times bestselling author"" Jewell Parker Rhodes expresses Deja's strong feelings eloquently in her book. -- ""AudioFile"" Rhodes approaches a complex, painful topic with insight and grace, providing context to an event distant to the book's audience. -- ""Publishers Weekly"" Rhodes doesn't assume her readers know the magnitude of 9/11; she walks them tenderly through it...In Deja, Rhodes offers a believable portrayal of the kid who feels as if she's always giving the wrong answers in class, leading to sulking and outbursts. -- ""New York Times Book Review"" Rhodes' new novel offers a way to discuss the events of 9/11 with children too young to remember this pivotal event. ...This is a welcome contribution to children's literature, on a topic not many authors have broached for this age group, and it will function well as a teaching tool. It reads easily and offers educators the opportunity to not only address the events of September 11 from a historical perspective but also from a social one. Themes include community, diversity, and socioeconomic disparities. -- ""School Library Journal"" This tender retelling of tragedy is a solid vessel to help young readers understand the gravity of 9/11 and how it touches all Americans, no matter where we come from. -- ""Kirkus Reviews"""

Jewell Parker Rhodes expresses Deja's strong feelings eloquently in her book. -- AudioFile Rhodes' new novel offers a way to discuss the events of 9/11 with children too young to remember this pivotal event. ...This is a welcome contribution to children's literature, on a topic not many authors have broached for this age group, and it will function well as a teaching tool. It reads easily and offers educators the opportunity to not only address the events of September 11 from a historical perspective but also from a social one. Themes include community, diversity, and socioeconomic disparities. -- School Library Journal This tender retelling of tragedy is a solid vessel to help young readers understand the gravity of 9/11 and how it touches all Americans, no matter where we come from. -- Kirkus Reviews Rhodes approaches a complex, painful topic with insight and grace, providing context to an event distant to the book's audience. -- Publishers Weekly Rhodes doesn't assume her readers know the magnitude of 9/11; she walks them tenderly through it...In Deja, Rhodes offers a believable portrayal of the kid who feels as if she's always giving the wrong answers in class, leading to sulking and outbursts. -- New York Times Book Review History made personal-and what a person! Deja's voice is real and memorable, her compelling story one of hope unmarred by sentimentality. -- Linda Sue Park, New York Times bestselling author

Author Information

Jewell Parker Rhodes is the author of several books, including Sugar, winner of the Jane Adams Peace Association book award, and Ninth Ward, which was named a Coretta Scott King Honor Book, a Notable Book for a Global Society, and a Today Show Al's Book Club for Kids selection. She has also written many award-winning books for adults.

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