This Very Tree
A Story of 9/11, Resilience, and Regrowth
by Sean Rubin
Henry Holt and Company (BYR) 2021
Great fit for 3rd grade
Reading level and content both target K–3rd grade · ages 5–9
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Genre
Themes
- resilience
- community
- healing
- hope
- remembrance
- nature
- loss
- recovery
About this book
Told from the perspective of the Callery pear tree that survived the attacks on September 11, this gentle picture book traces its injury, care, and return to the World Trade Center site. With spare, evocative text and detailed art, it introduces young readers to a difficult moment in history through a lens of hope. It’s a compassionate entry point for conversations about resilience, community, and healing. Ideal for ages 5–9 and for classrooms or families looking to remember and reflect together.
Setting: Lower Manhattan, New York City, 1970s to the present
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is This Very Tree right for my child?
Yes — This Very Tree is a great fit for 3rd grade. The reading level is AR 3.5, which is typical for 3rd grade. The interest level is rated Lower Grades (K–3), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 5–9 (K–3rd grade). Themes include resilience, community, healing.
How long does it take to read This Very Tree?
At a typical 3rd grade reading pace, This Very Tree takes around 7m to finish. The book has 900 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does This Very Tree have an AR quiz?
Yes — This Very Tree has an AR quiz available, worth 0.5 points. Your child will need to take and pass the quiz through their school's Accelerated Reader program to earn credit. The quiz is typically 5–20 multiple choice questions about plot, characters, and setting.
What grade level is This Very Tree?
This Very Tree has an AR reading level of 3.5, which places it at a 3rd grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Lower Grades (K–3) — this reflects the age-appropriateness of the content and themes, not just the reading difficulty. A strong younger reader may handle the words fine while the themes are aimed at an older audience, or vice versa.