Eleven

by Tom Rogers

Overview

Alex Douglas always wanted to be a hero. But nothing heroic ever happened to Alex. Nothing, that is, until his eleventh birthday. When Alex rescues a stray dog as a birthday gift to himself, he doesn't think his life can get much better. Radar, his new dog, pretty much feels the same way. But this day has bigger things in store for both of them. This is a story about bullies and heroes. About tragedy and hope. About enemies with two legs and friends with four, and pesky little sisters and cranky old men, and an unexpected lesson in kindness delivered with a slice of pizza. This is Eleven: the journey of a boy turning eleven on 9/11.

A best-seller at the 9/11 MEMORIAL MUSEUM, a Kirkus "Best Books" selection, and winner of Writer's Digest and Moonbeam Children's Book awards.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780991181001
Publisher:	Alto Nido Press, LLC
Publication date:	01/14/2014
Pages:	202
Sales rank:	4,475
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.46(d)
Age Range:	10 - 12 Years

About the Author

Tom Rogers is a novelist and the screenwriter of numerous animated films, including The Lion King 1-1/2, Kronk's New Groove, LEGO: The Adventures of Clutch Powers, and Disney's Secret of the Wings and Legend of the Neverbeast. Originally from Texas, he now lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Jennifer. Eleven is his first novel for young adults.

Editorial Reviews

"Riveting debut middle-grade novel....Perfect for young readers...or for classrooms hoping to explore this event in recent history." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"A thoroughly engaging piece about a very difficult subject. Very well written - funny and emotional from beginning to end. And I loved Radar." - Alan Horn, Chairman, The Walt Disney Studios

"Tom Rogers has told the story in a way that most parents and educators have struggled to accomplish. It's a thoughtful and important book for readers of all ages." - Downtown Magazine NYC

From the Publisher

★ 2014-09-06
A young boy's birthday falls on Sept. 11, 2001, in Rogers' riveting debut middle-grade novel.There are two things that Alex Douglas loves more than anything else: dogs and airplanes. He's convinced that his 11th birthday will be the best ever because his parents have promised to get him a dog—if he proves he's responsible enough by getting better grades. But the day before his birthday, he realizes that he didn't hold up his end of the bargain. Worse, he has an awful fight about it with his father, ending it with three regrettable words: "I hate you." Alex's birthday seems back on track the next morning after he has a pancake breakfast. But then school bully Jordan smashes his cupcakes on the bus, and later, school lets out early without explanation before Alex's birthday celebration. He must take care of his little sister until their mother, a nurse, gets home, but it gives him a chance to track down a stray dog, with whom he connects immediately. Then he finally hears the news that terrorists have crashed planes into the World Trade Center. All Alex can think about is his dad, who drives the PATH commuter train to the twin towers, and what he can do to bring him home safely. Rogers displays deft insight into the 11-year-old mind, and by alternating chapters among Alex, an older man named Mac and a mysterious "Man in the White Shirt" at the World Trade Center, he makes Alex's legitimate worries, and the story as a whole, much more intense. Young readers will easily sympathize with Alex as they're drawn into the terror of an event that, most likely, happened before they were born. As a result, the book may help them understand that tragedy's personal side. Overall, it's perfect for young readers who enjoy survival or disaster novels or for classrooms hoping to explore this event in recent history.A touching, terrifying book about family, growing up and an event that shook the United States.

Kirkus Reviews