Review Title: 9/11 Flag Restoration Tour (Review of 30,000 Stitches: The Inspiring Story of the National 9/11 Flag by Amanda Davis)

Reviewer: Janice S. Garey

***** 5 Stars

I won this astonishing picturebook from a reviewer’s website contest, and knew nothing about this wonderful restoration tour of the 9/11 flag until I received the book.

The flag was first displayed at the 9/11 disaster site by construction workers. Over time it became tattered and gray from weather and smoke. Eventually the time came to take down and store the flag away. Six years later, a group of New York volunteers were headed out to help rebuild a town in Kansas that had been destroyed by a tornado. The small town wanted to build a memorial site and asked for the NY volunteers to bring a memento from the 9/11 disaster area. Thus began the first stop in the flag’s journey around the nation where a variety of people would put restorative stitches into the flag.

This book with its illustrations and story touched my heart more than expected. I, like most Americans, have a vein of sadness related to 9/11. The wonder of this book is found in how it shows the people of our nation, especially those affected by tragedies and disasters of various sorts, pulling together to work with ingenuity, creativity, diligence, and dedication to restore and make stronger the damaged and broken parts of the symbol of our nation.

This book is one I wish I’d had for homeschooling. It covers a limited geography of the USA in an interesting way along with some historical events. It would make a great springboard to learning about volunteers who risk their lives to save others. However, it also serves as a perfect seasonal coffee table book to remember 9/11 and how it brought out the best in those who rose to the occasion to serve others.

As mentioned previously, I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through a review blogger’s contest. I have no obligation to give a positive review. I post reviews to help readers decide if they want to read a book or share it with their children. I highly recommend this book.