CHIEF: The Life of Peter J. Ganci, a New York City Firefighter

With an emotional, worshipful tone only a loved one could provide, the author remembers the life and career of his late father, chief of the Fire Department of New York, who died at the age of 54 in the September 11 attack on the World Trade Center. In an account gleaned from personal experience and the recollections of family, friends and colleagues, readers learn of Peter Ganci's humble beginnings in Brooklyn and on Long Island and his early leanings toward becoming a firefighter. Numerous on-the-job challenges and examples of bravery mark Peter's rise to chief, but the author tempers this list with just as many descriptions of lighter moments and personality quirks unique to his father. And in a brief but gripping passage, Chris describes the chief's final day. While a poignant tribute to a courageous man, the text conveys relatively raw feelings; at times, readers may feel that they are eavesdropping on his private musings ("My father gave up his life in the line of duty, and he wouldn't have had it any other way.... No way my dad would have run from that. No way he would have left with all his guys still inside"). The oversize format showcases the many (uncaptioned) photographs, from both the FDNY and the Ganci family; insider terms (explained on the last page) are sprinkled throughout the text. Ages 9-up. (May)