66 pages • 2 hours read
Jewell Parker RhodesA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
In Jewell Parker Rhodes’s Towers Falling, fifth-grader Dèja Barnes navigates her new school, grappling with her family's homelessness and her father's mysterious illness. Through a new curriculum focusing on 9/11, Dèja learns about the attacks' lasting impact, uncovering her father's direct connection to the tragedy. Ultimately, she gains a deeper understanding of her family’s struggles and the importance of remembering history. Sensitive topics include the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and their traumatic aftermath.
Jewell Parker Rhodes' Towers Falling has received positive reviews for its sensitive handling of 9/11 and its impact on children today. Reviewers appreciate the novel’s exploration of historical events and their resonance with young readers. Some critiques mention that certain character developments feel rushed. Overall, the book successfully engages a younger audience with an important, complex topic.
Readers who would enjoy Towers Falling by Jewell Parker Rhodes are typically middle-grade students, ages 8-12, who appreciate historical fiction and realistic fiction. They may also enjoy books like Number the Stars by Lois Lowry and Echo by Pam Muñoz Ryan, which weave historical events with personal growth and resilience.
Lexile Level
410LHistorical Fiction
American Literature
Children's Literature
Race / Racism
Relationships
Grief / Death
September 11 Attacks
Emotions/Behavior: Grief
Identity: Race
Society: Community