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Towers Falling  By  cover art

Towers Falling

By: Jewell Parker Rhodes
Narrated by: Jewell Parker Rhodes
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Publisher's summary

From award-winning author Jewell Parker Rhodes, a powerful novel set 15 years after the 9/11 attacks in a classroom of students who cannot remember the event but live through the aftermath of its cultural shift.

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.

©2016 Jewell Parker Rhodes (P)2016 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Rhodes approaches a complex, painful topic with insight and grace, providing context to an event distant to the book's audience." (Publishers Weekly)

"This is a welcome contribution to children's literature." (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)

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What listeners say about Towers Falling

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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Amazing Story; Killer Narration

I read this book with my students to teach them about 9/11, characters, and social issues. This book was amazing and was loved by many of my students (including several of my reluctant readers). However, I was not able to listen to more than 5 minutes of this audio version as the narration voice was beyond annoying; it was like nails on a chalkboard. I can't say enough amazing things about this book, unfortunately the audio is not the same.

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5 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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From an adults POV

My daughter bought this book to listen to the story, that she had read for a school book report. My take on the story, is it was a good story, just everything didn't fit. The 5th grade girl is written very youngish. she seems more like a 2nd grade then a 5th. There were parts of the story that just didn't fit with the plots. The story is a strong one with great meaning, just missing something.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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Narration is incredibly annoying

I have purchased many books that claim to have annoying voices in narration, and I have been fine with them all. This one however is intolerable. I can't make it to the end because the author is so whiny. I don't know if she is changing her voice to reflect a 10 year old girl from the story or what is going on, but it is to much!

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3 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Couldn't get past the narration

I had to stop listening to this book very early on because the narration was intolerable. I realize that the author was reading her own work, but I just couldn't take it. Her writing is good; narration not.

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2 people found this helpful

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Towers Falling Review

The narrator was a bit boring but the story was lovable and so was the main character. You can put yourself in her shoes and you feel what she feels through out the book. I do think it took a little long for the book to end and get interesting and I also think there were some moments that did not need to be in there. Overall I think the book was entertaining and fun but I do not think the plot was fully developed as well as some of the characters.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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This book is hard to rate.

If you are picky about your narrator you may want to try a sample of this book first. Although the author reads it, I found her voice to be pretty grating and irritating.
However, the story makes up for the narrator. This story is really intense, especially as the book nears the climax and conclusion. I would recommend it to grades six and up.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Family. Home. Beautiful.

A great story about love, understanding, friendships and family. As well as a compassionate way for children to learn about 911.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Jewel Parker Rhodes is AMAZING!

What made the experience of listening to Towers Falling the most enjoyable?

It was fascinating to think of what 9/11 means to NYC kids that weren't even alive 9/11/01.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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great read but the narration was a rough listen

The story was fantastic! I read it along with my 4th grade b/g twins. I loved the angle at which is was written.
However, the narration was hard to listen to. Both my children and I felt like we were being yelled at the whole time. The intensity was too high too often. Even the parts we would have read gently were still very clipped and loud and intense.
I wish I had just read the paperback this time, which is unusual for me.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Terrible Narration

I could not finish listening to this book. The narration was incredibly whiny, high pitched, and annoying. I also didn’t care for the story. I think the author was trying to tackle too many issues in one book. I think there are better options to teach children about 9/11.

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