When we read the book Nine, Ten, we know that author Nora Baskin must have done a lot of research to set the scene. Remember, the book was written in 2016, 15 years AFTER the events of 9/11. So the only way to have so much detail is to go back and look at what actually happened.
Consider This
Nora was 54 when she published this book. The book is about 13 and 14 year olds. How does someone that is 40 years older than the characters relate to what the characters might be going through? The answer is that she has to talk to people that are that age. How does she relate to characters that live across the country when she herself lives in New York City? She has to talk to people across the country.
What does this mean?
It means we have to talk to people that have different experiences than our own so we can understand how others experience the world.
Who do we talk to?
I would start with a parent for your first interview. Talk to them about their experiences related to your topic. You will be comfortable with them, PLUS they might have ideas of other people that you might be able to talk to. Maybe an old friend that happened to live in Washington D.C. or NYC at the time, or a cousin that works in the topic area that you are researching. Interviews often lead to more ideas, more questions, and more people to interview. This is normal and fun!