A children's book about 9-11 presents a difficult task. We want to shield children from violence and fear, but we don't want to shield them from courage and heroism. We want to protect them, but we also want them to grow up brave and strong. 

St. Paul's Chapel, dwarfed by the Twin Towers right across the street, stood strong after "the giants around it had come to a fall" on 9-11. 

When the blackness cleared, the old wooden steeple was still there. Some say the 150-year-old sycamore trees took the brunt of the blast and saved the chapel. Others say it was a miracle.

On 9-11, St. Paul's became a service depot immediately. Firemen hung their shoes on the iron fence as they pulled on their boots. Many brave men did not return to get their shoes.

St. Paul's was built in 1766. For safety its chandeliers were packed away during the two world wars. When George Washington was inaugurated in New York City as the first president, he walked to the chapel to offer his prayers for the new nation.

St. Paul's reminds us that terrorism and violence are insubstantial and temporary; freedom and courage are abiding. And no one is too small to be brave or make a difference.

From the dust jacket