All We Have Left

All We Have Left 

• Genre: Fiction; contemporary; young adult 
• Originally Published: 2016 
• Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 880L; grades 7-12 
• Structure/Length: Approximately 368 pages; audiobook length about 9 hours and 17 minutes. 
• Protagonist/Central Conflict: The novel intertwines the stories of two girls from different times: Alia, a Muslim girl who finds herself trapped in the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 (9/11), and Jesse, a teenager in 2016 dealing with the fallout of her brother’s death in the attacks. The central conflict revolves around Jesse’s journey to understand her brother’s actions and Alia’s fight for survival, exploring themes of prejudice, forgiveness, and healing. 
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Themes of terrorism; Islamophobia; loss and grief; depiction of the September 11 terror attacks; emotional trauma

Wendy Mills, Author 

• Bio: An author known for her ability to tackle complex and sensitive topics within young adult literature, Wendy Mills explores themes of history, tragedy, and the resilience of the human spirit in her works. Her storytelling is characterized by deep emotional insights and a commitment to portraying realistic and meaningful narratives. 
• Other Works: Positively Beautiful (2015) 

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:

• The Lasting Effects of 9/11
• The Pain of Adolescence
• Family Disapproval of Romantic Relationships

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Teaching Guide, students will: