Ground Zero

Written by Alan Gratz

Narrated by Bernardo de Paula and Ariana Delawari

In time for the twentieth anniversary of 9/11, master storyteller Alan Gratz (Refugee) delivers a pulse-pounding and unforgettable take on history and hope, revenge and fear -- and the stunning links between the past and present.

September 11, 2001, New York City: Brandon is visiting his dad at work, on the 107th floor of the World Trade Center. Out of nowhere, an airplane slams into the tower, creating a fiery nightmare of terror and confusion. And Brandon is in the middle of it all. Can he survive -- and escape?

September 11, 2019, Afghanistan: Reshmina has grown up in the shadow of war, but she dreams of peace and progress. When a battle erupts in her village, Reshmina stumbles upon a wounded American soldier named Taz. Should she help Taz -- and put herself and her family in mortal danger?

Two kids. One devastating day. Nothing will ever be the same.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Scholastic Audio Books
• Release date: Feb 2, 2021
• ISBN: 9781338739114

Alan Gratz

ALAN GRATZ was born in Knoxville, Tennessee. After graduating from the University of Tennessee, he began a succession of jobs—newsletter writer, high school teacher, university lecturer, bookseller, radio commercial writer, advertising copy writer, middle school teacher, library shelver—all the while working on various writing projects. In 2006, he published his first novel, Samurai Shortstop, an ALA 2007 Top Ten Book for Young Adults. Alan’s award-winning books include The Brooklyn Nine, Fantasy Baseball, Starfleet Academy: The Assassination Game, Prisoner B-3087, and The League of Seven, the first in a series of alternate history middle grade fantasy novels. When he’s not writing, he’s usually reading other people’s books or creating an awesome new costume for science fiction/fantasy conventions. He lives with his family in North Carolina.

Reviews for Ground Zero

[Becky Baumgartner · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Alan Gratz's most thought-provoking book yet. I really appreciate the way he portrayed both sides (American and Afghan) equally well. The narrators did a splendid job.

[Brock Bruce · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very good book. Hit the spot. I enjoyed it just like his other books. Well worth the read!!

[Anna · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I have always loved books by Alan Gratz, and this one is no different. Alan Gratz has a way of making fictional history actually exciting!

[Lance Jacob Anaya · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow! This is an amazingly well written book. I and my granddaughter loved reading it together. Thank you.

[Anna Bigham · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Alan Gratz did a amazing job with this book! I recommend that many people should read or listen to this book.

I'm only fourteen, and I already feel awful and horrified what happened that day. My parents have told me stories of that day and I have seen the footage of the twin towers when they got hit and when they fell. What happened that day should always be remembered, but not just because of what happened with the attacks. It should be remembered also for all those people that didn't make it out, for the firemen, policemen, and paramedics. It should be remember for the hero's that saved people's lives that day, to the hero's trying to save people in the buildings, to the people that were brave enough to take the plane that ended up in the field in Pennsylvania. Even though they crashed they saved probably hundreds of lives that day thanks to their courage and bravery.

If we as a country together, can stand up after that day then we can stand up against anyone else who thinks they can take our freedom and our lives away.

[Anne Spillane · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It was stupid of you I’ve ever seen goodbye baby

[april watko · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book just like his other books are amazing! It is a very good read for long car ride.

[Michelle Gutierrez · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a great read! Got me in my feelings. Reading after my 11 year old spoke so highly of it.

[Jaclyn Lee · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I loved the parallel storylines in this book, and the expression of perspectives from characters on both sides of the war. There were no easy answers given to resolution of the conflict; because in a world as complex as ours, there really are none. My only qualm is I felt the stories was a bit overwritten at times (key points were emphasizes two or three times on the same page when just one statement would have sufficed). Overall this was a great and at times emotional read! I’d recommend it.