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
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“Narrator Jennifer Ceci is the voice of the ‘Survivor Tree’…Her tone is light and proud as the tree recalls its early days of providing shade and beauty…[and] subtle wind and bird sounds add atmosphere. Ceci’s voice, made more powerful by the absence of sound effects, becomes somber and slower paced as the tree recalls, with a hint of disbelief, the day everything changed. Afterward, as the tree’s years at a nursery pass and it heals, Ceci’s voice becomes gradually stronger and hopeful until the tree is finally returned to the site, a living memorial, in 2010. An author’s note and brief history add context.”
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