"All We Have Left "was definitely the best 9/11 novel I have read. Told from two girls' perspectives, one being in the towers when the plane struck, and the other fifteen years later, this book gave an insight into the horrific events of that day and how they changed and shaped people's lives forever. For some, this meant increased hatred and revenge but for others it made them realise their common humanity.

Although the first 100 pages are a little slow, hang in there because the plot improves dramatically afterwards and all I wanted to do was keep reading. I became totally invested in Jesse, Alia and Travis, and the end brought tears to my eyes. A poignant, heart-breaking and uplifting read. ( )

Two powerful 9/11 stories, told in alternating viewpoints, reveal the profound connection between present-day Jesse, whose brother died in the attacks, and Alia, a Muslim girl trapped in one of the Towers on that tragic day.

I liked it but it had too much pro-Muslim for me. It made me think. ( )

Alia dreams of going to art school for comics, but a stupid teenage mistake now seems to have obliterated any chance that her parents will even consider it. On the morning of September 11, 2001, in a last-ditch effort to confront her father and convince him to change his mind, she ascends the north tower of the World Trade Center. Fifteen years ago Jesse's older brother Travis perished in the WTC disaster. To this day her parents refuse to talk about him, and why he was in one of the towers at all continues to haunt them, tearing their family apart.

I really liked the flow of the narrative, despite the time difference between alternating chapters. Some parts were not easy reading; I was almost able to imagine myself in Alia's and Travis' shoes, among the horror and experiencing their panic, compassion and determination. Some of the messages are a bit heavy-handed at times, but many scenes throughout the book are powerful. Highly recommended. ( )

The story bounces between Alia and Jesse. Alia is a teen in the World Trade Center on 9/11 and Jesse is an angry teen anger now. Jesse's brother was in one of the towers on 9/11 and didn't survive. Her family won't talk about it, and it has left her angry and confused. She makes some bad choices that get her arrested and in community service. After a slow start, the pieces start to connect making the read compelling. The structure of the narrative is a hook in for students for whom 9/11 is history and helps illustrated the lasting impact of the event on NYC and American life. ( )