This Very Tree: A Story of 9/11, Resilience, and Regrowth

Gr 1-4–Rubin tells of a pear tree that lived between the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers. “She” enjoys her life, giving people shade and birds a place to rest. Then one day, everything goes dark and falls down around her; she is buried under the rubble. When she is discovered days later, she is taken to a park to recover and grow strong again. This is the story of one tree—and one city’s journey toward healing and regrowth. The gentle line drawings and watercolor illustrations depict a beautiful city and a diverse population. Illustrations treat the events of 9/11 with care; without becoming graphic, the story is evident. There are scenes showing the slow rebuilding of the One World Trade Center tower and the regrowth of the tree; both grow stronger and are eventually reintroduced to the public. Back matter includes an author’s note, a brief history of the World Trade Center, a recounting of the events of 9/11 and the real surviving tree, and a note on the illustrations and selected sources.