Authors: Wendy Mills
All We Have Left (38 page)
As with any religion, there are many different ways in which a Muslim approaches the practice of his or her faith. It is impossible to capture the full breadth and scope of any religion, and the words and actions of my characters are not necessarily reflective of every Muslim's beliefs. I think it is also important to remember that 9/11 happened to all Americans, no matter what their religious affiliations. People of all faiths died together that day.
The more I read about the profound courage displayed that day, not only in the towers, but at the Pentagon, and in the air over that Pennsylvania field near Shanksville, the more I realized that
this
is what needs to be remembered about 9/11. Even in the face of incomprehensible evil, the human spirit prevailed. This is what I hope the children of today and tomorrow will understand about the day the world changed.
A big shout-out to my editor, Mary Kate Castellani. This is a much stronger, better book because of your thoughtful suggestions, Mary Kate. Thank you! Also, my thanks to
all
of the awesome people at Bloomsbury who have worked hard to make my books look so pretty inside and out, and to get my stories into the hands of readers.
I met every week for nine months with a delightful group of people as I researched and wrote this book. I appreciate you all for taking me into your homes and hearts, and showing me what real-life Islam looks like.
Thank you, Bapak, for your patience as I bombarded you with questions about Indonesia, and an increasingly frantic list of questions about names and pronunciations. Also, thank you, Jill Nelson, for reading my climbing scenes over and over. I am so lucky to have friends and family with such diverse, interesting life experiences. As always, any mistakes are my own.
If you ever get the chance to visit the 9/11 Memorial Museum, I would highly recommend it. The staff is helpful and informed, and the experience left me both humbled and uplifted. I would also like to thank the staff at the Rock and Snow in New Paltz for answering all of my nosy questions.
Thank you to my agent, Sarah Davies, who is the best agent an author could have. Truly. Also, thank you to Bettina Restrepo for reading this book in its early stages.
Thank you, Mom and Aunt Joyce, as always. I don’t know how I could do it without you.
And to my readers, including the many dedicated book bloggers: You guys rock! Thank you so much for supporting my books.
Finally, to the loves of my life: Zack, Gavin, and Eddie. You are my world.
Copyright © 2016 by Wendy Mills
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
First published in the United States of America in August 2016
by Bloomsbury Children’s Books
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For information about permission to reproduce selections from this book, write to Permissions, Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 1385 Broadway, New York, New York 10018 Bloomsbury books may be purchased for business or promotional use. For information on bulk purchases please contact Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at [email protected]
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Mills, Wendy, author.
Title: All we have left / by Wendy Mills.
Description: New York : Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 2016.
Summary: In interweaving stories of sixteen-year-olds, modern-day Jesse tries to cope with the ramifications of her brother’s death on 9/11, while in 2001, Alia, a Muslim, gets trapped in one of the Twin Towers and meets a boy who changes everything for her as flames rage around them.
Identifiers: LCCN 2015037717
ISBN 978-1-61963-343-8 (hardcover) • ISBN 978-1-61963-344-5 (e-book)
Subjects: LCSH: September 11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001—Juvenile fiction. |CYAC: September 11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001—Fiction. | Interpersonal relations—Fiction. | Conduct of life—Fiction. | Muslims—Fiction. | Love—Fiction. | BISAC: JUVENILE FICTION / Love & Romance. | JUVENILE FICTION / Social Issues / Friendship. | JUVENILE FICTION / Historical /United States / 21st Century.
Classification: LCC PZ7.M639874 All 2016 | DDC [Fic]—dc23
LC record available at
https://lccn.loc.gov/2015037717
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