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

Author: Sean Rubin

Narrator: Jennifer Ceci

Unabridged: 16 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 05/11/2021


Synopsis

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

About Sean Rubin

Sean Rubin was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He is the illustrator of The Astronaut Who Painted the Moon: The True Story of Alan Bean, and the author/illustrator of the Bolivar series. In 2018, he was nominated for an Eisner Award for Bolivar. Sean graduated from Princeton University, where he met his wife, Lucy. They have two sons and live in Charlottesville, Virginia.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Darla on March 29, 2022

In NEW YORK CITY there once stood two towers. For a time, they were the tallest buildings in the world. Below the towers was a busy plaza. That's where I was planted. When visiting NYC in 2012, the school group I was with got to stand next to this tree and hear its story. I am so happy to see this bo......more

Goodreads review by Bookishrealm on September 25, 2023

I haven’t had a picture book make me cry in a very long time. This very tree is more than just a story about September 11. It’s a story about the hope and resilience that existed in so many after the events that occurred that day. I still vividly remember September 11 and where I was and how it impa......more

Goodreads review by Abigail on November 06, 2021

Author/illustrator Sean Rubin, native New Yorker and creator of the graphic novel Bolivar, about the adventures of a dinosaur in that city, turns in this deeply moving picture-book to the subject of 9/11. This is the story of the terrorist attack that devastated the city that day, and the little......more

Goodreads review by Silvis on June 16, 2021

I didn't expect to get emotional over a tree. The use of this tree that stood and stands again where the twin towers fell to teach children about the emotional impact of 9/11 was just the right balance of gentle and serious; somber but hopeful. ~Shay......more

Goodreads review by Zan on June 25, 2021

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 t......more


Quotes

"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."- AudioFile


* "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