Love is the Higher Law by David Levithan was written in 2009. The novel for young adults follows the story of three students on September 11, 2001, the day the Twin Towers fell in New York City.

Claire, whose apartment is ten blocks away from the World Trade Center, is at her high school when the news breaks. College student Jasper is home alone in Brooklyn sleeping when the planes hit, and it is noon before he finds out what has happened. Peter is making a pit-stop at Tower records on his way to school when he gets word. He then witnesses the impact of the second plane and the collapse of the towers. These three young adults now try to get their bearings in this new post-9/11 world.

Each of these students follows their own unique journey through the horror of the tragedy. Claire wants to connect with others, but she is not sure how to do that. Peter is looking for something good to emerge out of the ashes. And Jasper retreats into himself, unable to feel.

Peter and Jasper were supposed to have a date on September 11. They cancel due to circumstances but Peter is determined that they reschedule as soon as they can. When they do go out, it is awkward and Jasper is all over the place emotionally. He is not available to Peter.

Eventually, Jasper wants to emerge from his solitude, and he meets Claire as she searches for connection. They can understand each other. He tells her about Peter, who happens to go to Claire's school, and soon Claire and Peter become friends as well. Eventually, all three students, who had solitary journeys through this maze, emerge bonded to each other, and stronger for it.