The day that changed the world

by: Michele, Children's Librarian

My book group was reading the book 102 Minutes: The untold story of the fight to survive inside the Twin Towers, written by two New York City journalists, Jim Dwyer and Kevin Flynn.

This book tells of the men and women who saved themselves and others in the final minutes before the World Trade Towers collapsed on September 11, 2001, and includes testimonies from workers in the buildings, police and fire personnel, a construction manager, and a window washer.

Amazing stories of friends who stayed behind with people whom they knew would never get out and of cell phone calls to loved ones from people who knew they were trapped. I cried when I read these very real and very personal accounts of real life heroes.

If September 11th, or Patriot day, as it is listed on my calendar, seems like a long time ago and not important in today's world, stop and read about these amazing events. This books gives details of the Twin Towers and helps you understand the background of the buildings. The local building codes that played a role in the placement of the staircases in the building and the 1993 bombing in the Trade Center Parking Garages the affected the way workers in the building reacted when the buildings were hit.

This book is one of my favorites. My book group recalled being glued to their televisions for days, hoping that some of these trapped people would be found alive and saved. We reflected on the fragility of life, and how that day was a regular work day like any other. The people who worked in these buildings got up and got ready for their day without knowing what fate was going to do to them and to their families and to their nation. We concluded that we need to remember to take time to appreciate our families and our life.

If September 11th is made a national holiday and patriot day becomes official, I think that it should be a day to celebrate our blessing and spend time with those we love. What do you think?