Ground Zero
Ground Zero by Alan Gratz is a historical fiction novel featuring two intertwined narratives set on September 11th. One storyline follows Brandon, a nine-year-old boy, as he navigates the terrifying events inside the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11, 2001, after planes strike the towers. Separated from his father, Brandon must find a way to survive the collapse and chaos. The second narrative takes place eighteen years later, on September 11, 2019, in a village in Afghanistan, focusing on eleven-year-old Reshmina. Her community is caught amidst ongoing conflict between the Taliban and American forces, and she faces a difficult decision when she encounters a wounded American soldier. The book explores themes of survival, war, humanity, and the lasting impacts of the 9/11 attacks on individuals and global events. Targeted towards middle-grade and young adult readers, the novel aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the 9/11 tragedy and its repercussions for a generation born after the events. It delves into intense and challenging historical events, presenting them through the eyes of young protagonists who experience profound danger and loss. While emotionally resonant and fast-paced, the content includes vivid descriptions of violence, death, and wartime struggles, which may be intense for younger or more sensitive readers.
Concerns
Violence
HighThe book contains high levels of intense and graphic violence, central to both storylines. Readers witness the horrors of the 9/11 attacks and a war in Afghanistan, including direct depictions of deaths, injuries, and destructive battles.
Brandon's narrative during 9/11 includes descriptions of people falling to their deaths from the World Trade Center towers, an elevator crashing with people inside, and seeing 'bodies, and parts of bodies. Broken, bloody things too awful to think about' on the plaza. In Reshmina's story, her village experiences a battle where 'Taliban bullets struck the guard, and he fell to the ground, dead,' and her home is destroyed by bombings. Additionally, Reshmina is struck by her brother Pasoon 'hard on the side of her face with his open palm,' causing her to fall and taste blood.
Scary & Intense Content
HighThe book features consistently high levels of scary and intense content, driven by the catastrophic events of 9/11 and ongoing warfare. Scenes include graphic survival situations, mass casualties, and direct threats to the protagonists' lives.
Brandon's experience involves a 'fiery nightmare of terror and confusion' inside the World Trade Center after the plane strikes. He witnesses a woman 'burst into flames' from jet fuel with severe burns. Reshmina's story is filled with the constant danger of war, including 'a battle in which buildings are destroyed and people are shot, with at least one death.' Both children are in 'deadly peril more than once.'
Profanity
MediumThe book includes mild profanity and religious exclamations, primarily consisting of common milder curse words and instances of taking God's name in vain. This language is present but not pervasive or used with extreme intensity.
Reviews indicate '15 religious exclamations' and '4 mild obscenities' throughout the book. Specific examples include 'several uses of God's name in vain,' a few uses of 'crap,' 'hell,' and 'damn.' One review notes 'two 'hells,' two misuses of Jesus' name and one of God's' under high-stress circumstances.
Substance Use
MediumThe book contains mentions and discussions of substance use, particularly in the context of the conflict in Afghanistan and its broader societal implications, including the drug trade. These mentions are not glamorized but contextualize real-world issues.
The narrative includes a 'discussion of heroin use and the drug trade' and 'adults smoke cigarettes.' The 'Poppies' chapter within Reshmina's storyline describes how the Taliban cultivates poppies for opium, explaining its use in making illegal drugs. There is also a brief mention of a drug as a negative thing.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumInstances of disrespect and rebellion are present, primarily through a child protagonist's initial misbehavior and the ideological conflict within the Afghan family, where traditional roles are challenged and authority questioned.
Brandon is initially sent to work with his father because he was suspended from school for 'punching another student,' demonstrating early rebellious behavior. In Afghanistan, Reshmina's brother, Pasoon, chooses to join the Taliban, going against established family norms and creating significant 'tension within the family.' He also physically assaults Reshmina when she tries to stop him from leaving.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
LowNo explicit LGBTQ+ themes, characters, or representation were found in Alan Gratz's 'Ground Zero.' The narrative focuses on historical events and personal survival without engaging with topics of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Searches for 'Ground Zero' by Alan Gratz combined with keywords such as lgbtq, gay, lesbian, transgender, queer representation, and LGBTQ characters, along with 'Alan Gratz lgbtq' to find creator statements, yielded no relevant results indicating LGBTQ+ content within this specific book.
Romance and Sexual Content
LowRomantic and sexual content is minimal to absent in 'Ground Zero'. The focus is on survival and the impact of conflict, not on developing romantic relationships. One review mentions adults kissing in a non-explicit context.
The book mentions 'Adults kiss' as the extent of romantic or sexual content, which is presented briefly and without explicit detail. This occurs as a minor, incidental detail and does not involve the main child protagonists or contribute to any suggestive themes.
Witchcraft & Occult
LowThere is no content related to witchcraft, sorcery, occult practices, magic, demons, spells, or supernatural themes in 'Ground Zero.' The narrative is grounded in historical reality and the consequences of human conflict.
No instances or discussions of witchcraft, occult, or supernatural elements are mentioned across the available reviews and summaries of 'Ground Zero.' The book adheres strictly to real-world historical and geopolitical events.
Anti-Christian Themes
LowThe book does not contain direct anti-Christian themes or mockery. It addresses 'religious extremism' and 'jihad' within the context of the Afghan conflict and the Taliban's ideology, which serves to explain historical events rather than promote anti-Christian sentiment.
The novel discusses 'religious extremism' and 'holy war/jihad' as elements of the conflict in Afghanistan, particularly concerning the Taliban. These mentions are contextual to the historical events and cultural backdrop of Reshmina's storyline and are not presented as an attack on Christian beliefs.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
12+ due to intense and graphic depictions of violence, death, and suffering during the 9/11 attacks and wartime in Afghanistan, alongside thematic explorations of terrorism and religious extremism. While generally considered middle-grade, some content may be disturbing for readers younger than mid-teens.
Additional Notes
Parents should be aware that while the book is often recommended for middle-grade readers, the explicit and unvarnished portrayal of the 9/11 attacks and the realities of war in Afghanistan can be emotionally challenging and disturbing. Discussions around the historical context and the heavy themes of death, trauma, and political conflict are highly recommended to accompany the reading experience.
Related Reviews
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