Title: My Son Christopher: A 9/11 Mother’s Tale Remembrance
Author: Maureen Crethan Santora
Illustrator: Christopher Echevarria
Publisher: Ewings Publishing LLC
ISBN: 9798894190044
Genre: Non-Fiction
Reviewer: Barbara Bamberger Scott
Hollywood Book Reviews
Educator, author, and devoted mother Maureen Crethan Santora pays homage to her lost son in this emotive true story that blends tragedy with the promise of brighter futures based on her memory of his courageous sacrifice.
With empathic drawings by illustrator Echevarria, Santora’s story begins when little Christopher is a baby in the arms of his smiling, obviously proud parents. Readers will learn the boy liked action toys and enjoyed making a mess. Christopher wanted to go to school like his older sisters, but once he began, he found much of his studies boring, and disliked having to follow the many rules required for his early education. Though he was always somewhat rebellious, standing up for his own ideas and principles, he liked music and played clarinet in the school band and enjoyed sports participation in middle school. He studied history in college, with, as his mother stresses, a special admiration for those remembered because they “stood up for their beliefs and fought for freedom.” As a schoolteacher, he managed to interject history and its heroes into all subjects he taught. But teaching was not his true dream. Christopher wanted to follow in his firefighting father’s footsteps, so in 2001, he began working as a firefighter in New York City. He lost his life while trying to save lives in the wake of the horrific 9-11 attack. Santora follows the saga of her brave son’s brief life with an exhortation to all readers to remember the events of September 11, 2001, and honor those like her son who gave their lives to save others.
Santora’s book is colorful and memorable, citing happenings and heroes who are now a part of America’s history. Each segment of her son’s life concludes with the reminder that “Christopher was special…because he was my son.” Christopher and his fellow courageous firefighters have been honored since 9/11 in numerous ways: a scholarship fund was created in Christopher’s memory, and a school, basketball court, playground and street in New York all bear his name. Following Santora’s clear, emotionally charged narrative are several pages of color photographs of Christopher and his family, and a reminder to students, children, and parents to appreciate family affection and obey the rules of life that can lead to success. Her message can be shared in home or classroom settings and impress both older readers and youngsters like Christopher once was, conveying his determination to follow through with his goals, his courage in situations of great peril, and his willingness to fearlessly face the possibility of sacrifice.
For anyone seeking to understand the personal toll of 9/11 or looking for a story of love, loss, and resilience, this book is a must-read.