30,000 Stitches

The Inspiring Story of the National 9/11 Flag

Contributors

By Amanda Davis

Illustrated by Sally Wern Comport

Formats and Prices

Price

$17.99

Price

$22.99 CAD

Format

Hardcover

Format:

Hardcover $17.99 $22.99 CAD

An MASL Dogwood Reader’s Award Title

Discover the inspiring story of the American flag that flew over Ground Zero, traveled across all fifty states as it was repaired, and returned to New York as a restored symbol of unity.

In the days following September 11th, a 30-foot American flag hung torn and tattered at 90 West Street, across from Ground Zero. A few weeks later, the flag was taken down by a construction crew and tucked away in storage, where it stayed for nearly seven years.

The flag was brought out of storage in 2008 when the New York Says Thank You Foundation headed to Greensburg, Kansas, a town nearly destroyed by a tornado. NYSTY brought the flag with them, sparking a grassroots restoration effort that traveled over 120,000 miles across all fifty states, bringing together thousands of people, and helping America heal and rebuild . . . hand by hand, thread by thread, one stitch at a time.

This book is the story of that journey, a journey that ended at the opening of the National September 11 Museum, where the flag remains today. Along the way, the flag was restored using pieces of retired flags from every state—including a piece of the flag that Abraham Lincoln was laid on after he was shot at Ford’s Theater and threads from the original Star-Spangled Banner flag, which flew at Fort McHenry in the War of 1812 and inspired Francis Scott Key to write the national anthem. The pieces and threads were stitched in by military veterans, first responders, educators, students, community-service heroes, and family members of 9/11 victims, among others. At each stop, communities came together to remember, to heal, and to unite.
 
 

  • Moonbeam Children's Book Awards 2021—Gold Medal 
    An MASL Dogwood Reader's Award Title

     
  • "Davis outlines the flag’s journey through each of the 50 states. . . . Comport adds intricately collaged multimedia spreads so textured they’re almost tangible. . . . [a] nonfiction narrative that effectively informs about a symbol of hope." 
    Publishers Weekly

On Sale
May 4, 2021
Page Count
40 pages
Publisher
WorthyKids
ISBN-13
9781546013693

Author Amanda Davis posing with her dog

Amanda Davis

About the Author

Amanda Davis is a teacher, artist, writer, and innovator. After losing her father at a young age, Amanda turned to art and writing as a way to cope and a way to tell her story. That experience inspired her to pursue to teaching, which in turn enabled her to encourage and empower her students to tell their own stories. She is the author of the award-winning 30,000 Stitches: The Inspiring Story of the National 9/11 Flag, and the recipient of the Ann Whitford Paul—Writer’s Digest Most Promising Picture Book Manuscript Grant. Amanda was also named Massachusetts Secondary Art Educator of the Year.  She is an active member of SCBWI, 12×12, The Writer’s Loft, and National Art Education Association. When she’s not busy creating, you can find Amanda sipping tea, petting dogs, and exploring the natural wonders of the Bay State. Amanda lives in the Boston area with her family and rescue pup, Cora.
 
Michelle Jing Chan is a Chinese-American illustrator who grew up in Colorado and now lives in the Pacific Northwest. Ever since she could hold a pencil, she has been captivated by art as a way to bring the daydreams in her head to life. Michelle grew up with a deep love of folklore, fantasy, and fairytales and loves capturing ordinary moments through a lens of magic and wonder. Central to all of her work is a focus on diverse characters, rich stories, and empowering messages that she would have loved to read growing up. When not drawing, Michelle can be found attempting TikTok recipes, playing flute or piano, curling up with a new book, or binge-watching spooky TV shows.

Learn more about this author