Saved by the Boats: The Heroic Sea Evacuation of September 11 by Julie Gassman Illustrated by Steve Moors

 


Saved by the Boats: The Heroic Sea Evacuation of September 11 by Julie Gassman tells the little-known story of the boatlift that rescued nearly half a million people from lower Manhattan on September 11, 2001. When bridges, tunnels, and subways shut down after the attacks, ordinary boat owners, fishermen, ferry captains, and tugboat operators, rushed into New York Harbor to carry people to safety. It was the largest boat rescue in history, even surpassing the evacuation at Dunkirk during World War II.

This picture book is a moving reminder that in times of crisis, everyday people step forward with extraordinary courage. For middle and high school classrooms, it provides a human-centered, hopeful way to discuss one of the most difficult days in American history.

Curriculum Connections

Social Studies / History  

  • 9/11 Education: Offers students a personal and community-based entry point into learning about the attacks.

  • Maritime History: Connects the rescue to other large-scale evacuations, like Dunkirk, allowing for comparative analysis.

  • Civic Responsibility: Encourages discussions about how ordinary citizens contribute to collective action in times of need.

English Language Arts

  • Narrative Nonfiction: Students can study how historical events are shaped into stories for younger readers.

  • Perspective & Voice: The story highlights multiple viewpoints, from rescuers to evacuees.

  • Writing Connections: Students could write eyewitness-style accounts or journal entries from the perspective of someone on a boat that day.

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)

  • Community & Cooperation: The story emphasizes working together to save lives.

  • Courage & Empathy: Highlights bravery in ordinary people and the importance of helping others.

  • Hope & Resilience: Offers a positive lens in teaching about a tragic event.

Other Cross-Curricular Tie-Ins

  • Geography: Students can map the evacuation routes across New York Harbor.

  • STEM / Engineering: Explore how different types of boats operate and why ferries, tugboats, and fishing vessels were so effective in the evacuation.

Discussion Questions

Social Studies

  1. Why do you think the boat rescue of 9/11 is less well-known than other parts of the day’s history?

  2. How can ordinary citizens make a difference during emergencies?

  3. How does the boatlift compare to other large evacuations in history, such as Dunkirk?

English Language Arts

  1. How does the author make a complex historical event accessible for younger readers?

  2. What role do illustrations play in conveying the emotions of the day?

  3. How might the story feel different if it were told from the perspective of one of the boat captains or an evacuee?

Social-Emotional Learning

  1. What does this story teach us about the power of community?

  2. How can acts of kindness and bravery change the way people experience tragedy?

  3. How do stories of hope help us process difficult historical events?

Saved by the Boats offers a story of courage, unity, and resilience in the midst of tragedy. By focusing on the collective bravery of ordinary New Yorkers and boat crews, it gives middle and high school students an opportunity to see history not just as a series of events, but as moments shaped by human choices and compassion. This book reminds us that in times of crisis, the best of humanity often shines through.

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