De tienjarige Deja gaat naar de vijfde klas op een nieuwe school. Thuis is het moeilijk: pap is altijd ziek en verdrietig, ma is altijd aan het werk en Deja zorgt altijd voor haar broertje en zusje als pap slaapt. Haar nieuwe school is anders dan waar Deja ooit is geweest, en de recente geschiedenis die Deja krijgt, zal haar leven en dat van haar vrienden en familie voor altijd veranderen.
De leerlingen illustreren de impact van 9/11 op de personages in Towers Falling.
Storyboard Tekst
Dia: 1
Pop and Ma
How are you feeling today, honey?
Ik heb hoofdpijn.
Pop was in the North Tower when it collapsed. He lost friends and colleagues, and feels tremendous guilt over surviving. He has headaches and breathing problems, and is often too down to leave bed. Ma worries about him and works long hours to support the family.
Dia: 2
Miss Garcia
Miss Garcia was in fifth grade in Manhattan on September 11th when the planes hit the towers. Her mother rushed to pick her up. She saw it first hand, and that is most likely why she is so passionate about teaching it.
Dia: 3
Sabeen
Sabeen’s family is Muslim. They have experienced a lot of prejudiced and judgement since September 11th.
Dia: 4
Ben
Ben’s father is in the military and fought in Afghanistan after September 11th. The experience changed him. His parents are now divorced and Ben rarely sees his father.
Dia: 5
Deja
Deja's family has struggled financially for years because of her father’s inability to work due to the emotional and physical impact that 9/11 left on him. Because of this, Deja’s mother is always at work and she must take care of her younger siblings.