When alone, D looks in the suitcase and finds photo of dad smiling with three guys, walkie-talkie, flashlight, wallet, name tag that says World Trade Center.D questions if Pop was at the twin towers when they fell?.how come I didn’t know? Pop’s history affects me.” 140 My world is shattered.” “History is relevant.

“How does he know about what was seen? It hits me.

15 years ago, kids saw twin towers fall during the day – Miss Garcia was 5th grade – parents had to pick up kids.

D sees herself better via looking at history and past of America.

Pop going to talk to school, doesn’t want D to know about 9/11.

D meets all of Sabeen’s family who are incredibly kind.

D asks if Sabeen’s mom speaks English and then realizes it was a dumb question – mom speak English, Turkish, and Arabic.

D watches video of attack on twin towers.

Sabeen talks about not leaving house on 9/11 and then Sabeen is upset.

niqab = garment of clothing that covers the face which is worn by a small minority of Muslim women as a part of a particular interpretation of hijab (“modesty”).

how are we connected with the people in the towers – Americans.

D wants to know what happened to the people in the two towers.

Deja’s family is her home, not the place she is living.

Ben draws where he wishes he was with his dad.

Blessed by Allah.” “Who’s Allah?” “‘God’ in Arabic.” 50

Deja, Ben and Sabeen are group for school to talk about home.

Deja talks about two towers at home and dad is angry and says she is too young.

15th anniversary, kids don’t care because they weren’t born.

Kids look out window and learn the two towers used to be there but are now gone.

Deja stands up for Ben but misunderstood the issue so she is embarrassed.

meets Ben, new also, everyone else talking and friends already.

Keisha, bff, stopped speaking when they are homeless.

Pop not work, bad headaches and bad cough.

family lives in shelter w/ cockroaches, no water, no fridge, no stove and one room.

Pop nightmares, Ma, sister Leda, and brother Raymond.

Setting – Character: Deja, oldest child in family, start new school, 5th grade, Jamaican.

September 11, 2011, terrorist attack, family arguments, family homeless, shelter with no water, no fridge, no stove, parent not working due to trauma, family secrets, gangs, dad can be scary, prejudice, details of fathers experience on 9/11.

“I still see, feel, hear, smell every last bit of it.” Dad page 210.

how come I didn’t know? Pop’s history affects me.” page 140 Blessed by Allah.” “Who’s Allah?” “‘God’ in Arabic.” page 50 “Dedicated to all who were lost and all who survived”

Towers falling book