“ALL WE HAVE LEFT,” by Wendy Mills, Bloomsbury USA Childrens, Aug. 9, 2016, Hardcover, $17.99 (young adult)
It’s hard to believe the events of Sept. 11, 2001, happened almost 15 years ago. What’s even harder to believe is a whole generation of children who don’t remember life pre-Sept. 11. My memories of that day are vivid, but I am somewhat far-removed from what happened. I didn’t have a personal connection. Even though it’s a work of fiction, “All We Have Left,” by Wendy Mills, creates that personal connection.
“All We Have Left” tells the stories of two girls whose lives are greatly impacted by the Sept. 11 attacks.
Jessie was barely a toddler on Sept. 11, 2001. Now 16, she’s still dealing with the aftermath of her brother’s death. No one knows why her brother was in Manhattan that day, and that not knowing has contributed to years of anger and grief. When Jesse allows that grief to fuel one hate-filled decision, it starts her down a path that will allow her to truly know her brother.
Sixteen-year-old Alia is proud to be Muslim, so much so that she decides Sept. 11, 2001 will be her first day to wear a head scarf. After being grounded for a stupid mistake, Alia decides to appeal to her father at his Manhattan office. But Alia’s father isn’t there, and when planes collide with the Twin Towers, she finds herself alone and trapped. As Alia makes her way out of the building, she meets a boy who changes everything.
Told from two points of view, “All We Have Left” gives readers a true sense of how “now” and “then” aren’t really that different. Author Wendy Mills brings out the rawest of emotions in the quietest of spaces. She knows when to push readers and when to step back. I never felt her writing was heavy handed.
In light of today’s political climate, there are some people who will hate this book without even opening the cover. They will not want to see non-Christians in a favorable light. The fact that Alia is an American who wants to cover her head will be disturbing to them.
That’s why they should read it.
In writing “All We Have Left” Wendy Mills has chosen to look for the light in dark places. This is not a book about blame. Instead, it focuses on common ground an understanding — something Americans could stand to do a little more of these days.
