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Remembering 9-11

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The 10th anniversary of the events of Sept. 11, 2001, is just around the corner. If you’re looking for ways to commemorate that day beyond buying one of the many t-shirts or bumper stickers now available everywhere, here are some books, movies, music, and more you might consider.

Books

Angel in the Rubble by Genelle Guzman-McMillan. The “last survivor” of 9-11, who was found beneath the remains of Tower One of the World Trade Center, tells the story of that horrific event, her rescue, and her life since. (Howard Books)

Let’s Roll! by Lisa Beamer. Todd Beamer, Lisa’s husband, was on United 93, the flight that crashed in rural Pennsylvania rather than in Washington, D.C., due to the heroic acts of the passengers. Lisa shares her memories of her husband as well as her hope in life. (Tyndale House)

Middletown, America by Gail Sheehy. Sheehy spent more than two years looking at the impact that 9-11 had on one town: Middletown, N.J.  Middletown has the lamentable claim of 9-11’s “largest concentrated death toll.” (Random House)

9-11 Seriesby Karen Kingsbury. Starting with One Tuesday Morning, inspirational fiction author Karen Kingsbury produced three popular novels that center on the tragic events. (Zondervan)

Children’s Books

The Man Who Walked Between the Towers by Mordecai Gerstein. An exciting, Caldecott Medal-winning picture book that remembers the Twin Towers by telling the story of a French aerialist who walked a wire between the buildings in 1974. Ages 4-8. (Roaring Brook Press)

14 Cows for America by Carmen Agra Deedy. A village in Kenya makes a generous donation in the wake of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Ages 4-8 (Peachtree)

Movies

9/11. French documentary makers, brothers Jules and Gedeon Naudet, intended to make a film about a rookie firefighter. Instead they ended up documenting the World Trade Center attack and collapse. (Paramount)

United 93. A critically acclaimed movie about the ill-fated flight that went down outside Shanksville, Pa. (Universal)

World Trade Center. Oliver North’s more well-known movie version of 9-11 events. (Paramount)

Websites

9/11 Memorial. If you can’t visit in person, you can explore the website to find out more about New York’s National September 11 Memorial and Museum. The memorial will open to visitors on the 10th anniversary. The website also offers teaching guides for working with children.

Flight 93 National Memorial. The U.S. National Parks Service will be the caretaker of this Pennsylvania memorial to United Flight 93. The organization is still in the process of raising funds.

Understanding 9/11. This website collected news coverage of the events from all over the world, including news reports from Mexico City, London, Beijing, and Baghdad.

Music

Bruce Springsteen‘s album The Rising is gathered around the events of Sept. 11. “You’re Missing” is a quiet, aching song about loss. (Sony)

Leonard Cohen lends his distinctive vocal style to his remembrance song “On that Day,” from his album Dear Heather. (Sony)

Alan Jackson had a sad but hopeful take in “Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning,” while The Eagles lamented the “Hole in the World.”

Rock the Universe 2011. Rock the Universe is an annual Christian music festival at Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla. This year there will be added events for Sept. 11.

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