Seven and a half Tons of Steel

Peachtree Publishers, 2016

Reviews

“A deeply felt but not overwrought telling of a story that will be new to most young readers.”

—Kirkus Reviews

“Gonzalez’s breathtaking spreads dazzle… The emphasis is not on damage and destruction, but on America’s power to recover. Teachers and parents looking for picture books that celebrate the nation and its military will welcome Nolan and Gonzalez’s work.”

—Publishers Weekly

“This beautiful, sober, and hopeful recounting of a difficult chapter in American history is a stellar addition to history collections.”

—School Library Journal

There is a ship, a navy ship. It is called the USS New York. It is big like other navy ships, and it sails like other navy ships, but there is something special about the USS New York.

Following the events of 9/11, seven and a half tons of steel from a beam in the World Trade Center was gifted to the US Navy, where it traveled to New Orleans and weathered Hurricane Katrina to become the bow of the USS New York in an inspiring and hopeful story of rebuilding and redemption.

Seven and a Half Tons of Steel

• Delaware Diamonds Award, 2018 

• Kentucky Bluegrass Award, 2018 - 2019 

• Magnolia Book Award, 2019 

• Show Me Readers Award!, 2018 - 2019

• Comstock Read Aloud Honor Books, 2017

• Kansas State Reading Circle, Recommended Reading List, 2017

• The Georgia Center for the Book – Books All Young Georgians Should Read, 2017

• ILA 2017 Teachers’ Choice Reading List 

• Illinois Reads (Grades 3-5) Illinois Reading Council, 2017

• A Junior Library Guild Selection