Module 13 - The 9/11 Report: A Graphic Adaptation

Summary:

Authors Sid Jacobson and Ernie Colon have created a story based on the 9/11 Report to convey what is a graphic adaption on what happened and where we need to build up the nation in preparation of future terrorists attacks on the US.  The use of their skills at creating comics and storytelling this book is able to present the actions that took place on September 11, 2001.  Appropriate for children from 9 years and older.

Citation:

Jacobson, Sid and Colon, Ernie. "The 9/11 Report: A Graphic Adaptation" Farrar, Straus and Giroux, New York. 2006.

My Impressions:

I am not a big fan normally of graphic novels, but this book was interesting and provided information directly from the 9/11 Commission Report.  The writers laid out what happened chronologically and listed names of terrorists with timelines to show how events occurred.  The graphics are in "comic" style and remind me of classic comic drawings of the past.  For readers who have not been able to read the 9/11 Commission Report this would be a good alternative.

Reviews:

KLIATT


This is a dignified, carefully accurate graphic presentation of the basic narrative and conclusions of the 9/11 Report. It's quite astounding what the format is capable of conveying. The text is concise and well organized. The graphics are dramatic and emotional. If there is an agenda, it is that of the 9/11 Commission: to point out the mistakes made leading up to 9/11 and on the day of the attacks—the inadequate resources, the uncoordinated intelligence—and the final report (December 5, 2005), which gives our nation very low grades in correcting the errors revealed in the commission's findings. This belongs in every library.



VOYA

The 9/11 Commission Report on the events of that day weighs in at a formidable eight hundred pages of small text. Developed with the blessing and support of the Commission, this volume condenses the eight-hundred-page report and uses the graphic novel format both to streamline the retelling of events and to enable the report to reach a new audience. The book begins by retelling what happened that morning and then details what factors led to the attack. It ends with a series of recommendations to prevent the recurrence of similar events in the future. Although a "September 11 comic book" might not sound like a good idea, this book does a great job in making the report accessible. The format enables the reader to understand how synchronous events thousands of miles away from each other combined to devastating results. The majority of the text is taken from the report and is largely used for narration or documented remarks. Text that is not from the report is used for dramatic effect and is readily apparent. It does, however, require active participation from the reader to fit the pieces together. It follows the report's structure, rather than providing a chronological narrative. This technique tends occasionally to force the reader to flip back a few pages to remember who was who. Although this problem might cut down on its appeal, students looking for an accessible way to approach the 9/11 Report will seek out this book.

Suggested Use:

1.  Essential reading for remembrance of 9/11 as part of history lesson.

2. Can be displayed as part of Memorial Day and Veteran's Day book displays.


Book Cover: