We All Fall Down (novel)

"We All Fall Down" (2006) is a novel which is about 9/11 and the World Trade Center in Manhattan by Eric Walters.

This story takes place during September 11, 2001. The main characters are two people, Will Fuller and his father. A novel from one of the country’s most prolific and popular YA authors, this book, set in New York City on September 11th, shows us how the experiences of that day profoundly changed one teenager’s life and relationships.

Will finds himself and his dad trapped in the World Trade Center, above where the plane had crashed into. The story describes how they get down safely without the help of rescue personnel. At first, Will finds this trip very boring, but when he reaches the towers, he is incredibly amazed by the height and size of them. He starts the day on the observation deck with his dad, staring out across the New York skyline and city. In almost no time at all, they start walking down to the eighty-fifth floor where Will's dad works. About one hour after they entered the building, the first plane crashes. Since John, Will's dad, is also the fire warden of that floor, he orders everyone to evacuate from the building even though it was the other building that was hit. After the second plane hits, Will finds himself and his dad trapped above the floors that were hit, but amazingly, they get out safely. During the trip down, they find and help rescue a Chinese woman named Ting, who was injured by a blow to the head. Will and his father have to help her get down safely by piggy-backing her down the stairs.

A touching and inspiring read for all ages.