Claire

Claire is a seventeen-year-old twelfth-grade student when the tragic events of 9/11 occur. She lives with her mother and younger brother ten blocks away from the World Trade Center, and they are not allowed back in their apartment for quite some time.

Claire struggles to find people with whom she can share the experience of the tragedy of 9/11. She is deeply, deeply affected by the huge sense of loss. But she is also inspired by the beautiful gestures of blossoming humanity all around her.

Claire encourages people to volunteer and make a difference. This is her reaction to the tragedy. She needs to act, if only by lighting candles of remembrance.

Sammy

Sammy is Claire's younger brother and he is in grade two at the school across the street from Claire's when the planes hit the towers. Claire cares for Sammy very much and often walks him to school...