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

by Sean Rubin Narrated by Jennifer Ceci

Overview

A deeply moving story about community and resilience, from the point-of-view of the Callery pear tree that survived the attacks on September 11, from Eisner Award-nominated author-illustrator Sean Rubin.

"A resonant, beautifully rendered testament to life and renewal." -Kirkus, starred review

In the 1970s, nestled between the newly completed Twin Towers in New York City, a Callery pear tree was planted. Over the years, the tree provided shade for people looking for a place to rest and a home for birds, along with the first blooms of spring.

On September 11, 2001, everything changed. The tree's home was destroyed, and it was buried under the rubble. But a month after tragedy struck, a shocking discovery was made at Ground Zero: the tree had survived.

Dubbed the “Survivor Tree,” it was moved to the Bronx to recover. And in the thoughtful care of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, the Callery pear was nursed back to health. Almost a decade later, the Survivor Tree returned home and was planted in the 9/11 Memorial to provide beauty and comfort¿and also hope.

This is the story of that tree-and of a nation in recovery. Told from the tree's perspective, This Very Tree is a touching tribute to first responders, the resilience of America, and the restorative power of community.

A Macmillan Audio production from Henry Holt and Company

Editorial Reviews

SEPTEMBER 2021 - AudioFile

Narrator Jennifer Ceci is the voice of the “Survivor Tree,” which miraculously survived the 9/11 attack that toppled the Twin Towers and buried it. Her tone is light and proud as the tree recalls its early days of providing shade and beauty to workers and visitors to the World Trade Center. In those moments subtle wind and bird sounds add atmosphere. Ceci’s voice, made more powerful by the absence of sound effects, becomes somber and slower paced as the tree recalls, with a hint of disbelief, the day everything changed. Afterward, as the tree’s years at a nursery pass and it heals, Ceci’s voice becomes gradually stronger and hopeful until the tree is finally returned to the site, a living memorial, in 2010. An author’s note and brief history add context. N.E.M. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine

Publishers Weekly

04/05/2021

Twenty years after 9/11, Rubin revisits the tragedy through the eyes of a tree that survived the devastation, providing a poignant tribute to a city’s resilience and a powerful introduction to the topic for young readers. The Callery pear tree, planted at the World Trade Center Plaza in the 1970s, narrates the true story in personal prose: “It was an ordinary morning. Until it wasn’t.” After sunny, green-tinged spreads turn dark, black and gray frames depict the tree as it stands buried under tons of twisted rubble. Paneled illustrations aptly speed or slow the narrative, following the subject’s wounding, rescue, and rehabilitation—in an uplifting spread, the growing tree is shown in parallel with the construction of One World Trade Center—to its eventual replanting at the ground zero memorial, where its blossoming branches symbolize hope. Back matter includes more details on 9/11 and the tree, noting that many of its seedlings have been gifted to other communities that have experienced a tragedy. Ages 4–8. (May)

From the Publisher

A Chickadee Award nominee, Children's Literature Assembly Notable Children’s Book in the Language Arts, Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year, and Bank Street Best Book of the Year

* "Splendid illustrations . . . A resonant, beautifully rendered testament to life and renewal." —Kirkus, starred review

* "Rubin’s lively and energetic cartoon art takes the focus quickly from destruction and desolation to growth and renewal . . . A volume that could be part of any unit on 9/11 for children, or a lesson on resilience. " —Horn Book, starred review

"A poignant tribute to a city’s resilience and a powerful introduction to the topic for young readers." —Publishers Weekly

"This beautiful book deserves a spot in elementary collections across the country." —School Library Journal

"A stirring story of hope and healing in the aftermath of immense tragedy." —Bookpage

"Inspiring . . . Particularly striking is the growth of the tree and the new tower at the site of the World Trade Center, shown in a series of parallel illustrations. Although the circumstances are different, this story of urban resilience and rebuilding remains relevant today." —Booklist

School Library Journal

05/14/2021

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. VERDICT What an unusual way to capture that day; this beautiful book deserves a spot in elementary collections across the country.—Sara Thomas, New Castle P.L., DE

SEPTEMBER 2021 - AudioFile

Narrator Jennifer Ceci is the voice of the “Survivor Tree,” which miraculously survived the 9/11 attack that toppled the Twin Towers and buried it. Her tone is light and proud as the tree recalls its early days of providing shade and beauty to workers and visitors to the World Trade Center. In those moments subtle wind and bird sounds add atmosphere. Ceci’s voice, made more powerful by the absence of sound effects, becomes somber and slower paced as the tree recalls, with a hint of disbelief, the day everything changed. Afterward, as the tree’s years at a nursery pass and it heals, Ceci’s voice becomes gradually stronger and hopeful until the tree is finally returned to the site, a living memorial, in 2010. An author’s note and brief history add context. N.E.M. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine

Kirkus Reviews

★ 2021-03-17
The inspiring true story of a tree’s regrowth literally from ashes.

Dubbed the “Survivor Tree,” a Callery pear tree that once stood in the plaza of the World Trade Center narrates, in first person, present tense, this moving tale of life before and after the horrors of 9/11. The tree was proud of its “job”—offering shade and a nesting spot for birds and serving as an early harbinger of spring. Then the unimaginable occurred. The tree was eventually discovered, seemingly lifeless, beneath mounds of rubble and removed to Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx for rehabilitation. Miraculously, it flourished, and, after nine years, was returned to a newly rebuilt plaza, where it stands today, a beacon of renewed hope. The simple, quietly touching text focuses on the tree as a symbol of regeneration rather than devastation. The splendid illustrations include several spreads that depict, in a stark yet nonfrightening manner, scenes of chaotic destruction. Many also highlight vertical lines and aerial perspectives, prompting viewers to focus attention upward, aptly symbolizing soaring architecture and the tree’s growth and also helping readers understand the rise of hope and spirits in the wake of tragedy. Additionally, the illustrations’ delicate lines and muted palette have a freshness and airiness that suits the theme of life’s rebirth, echoed in the tree’s final reassurance that “spring will come.” People are portrayed diverse in gender, race, ethnicity, and physical ability. A heartfelt author’s note and historical material conclude the book. (This book was reviewed digitally with 11-by-18-inch double-page spreads viewed at 77.8% of actual size.)

A resonant, beautifully rendered testament to life and renewal. (Informational picture book. 4-8)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940172823091
Publisher:	Macmillan Audio
Publication date:	05/11/2021
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	Up to 4 Years

Videos