1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Gerstein, Mordicai. 2003. THE MAN WHO WALKED BETWEEN THE TOWERS. Roaring Brook Press. ISBN 0761317910
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Philippe Petit is a young French man who is skilled at many things like dancing, juggling, riding a unicycle and tight roping. While watching the World Trade Center towers in New York being built, Philippe has an idea to walk along a rope between the towers over 200 stories high. In the middle of the night Philippe and several friends sneak into the towers and begin to construct the cable rope. After several small mistakes Philippe finally ties the cable and begins the very high and long walk.
Philippe Petit is a young French man who is skilled at many things like dancing, juggling, riding a unicycle and tight roping. While watching the World Trade Center towers in New York being built, Philippe has an idea to walk along a rope between the towers over 200 stories high. In the middle of the night Philippe and several friends sneak into the towers and begin to construct the cable rope. After several small mistakes Philippe finally ties the cable and begins the very high and long walk.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Mordicai Gerstein’s Caldecott Medal book is both entertaining and educational. Based on a true story of Philippe Petit who loves to entertain children and adults with his unique talents we watch him conquer the World Trade Center which is also a very pivotal character in this picture book. Once deciding that Philippe wants to take the risk of walking between the towers the reader goes on an exciting adventure to see if Philippe can walk the cable and what will be the consequence of his actions. The writing of the book is very simple and straightforward but you want to turn the page to see what happens next. The illustrations that Mr. Gersteain drew are extremely detailed and help create the mood of the book. What I love is the reaction on the people’s faces as they see Philippe walking across the New York style. Also, on the last several pages you are able to open the page to get an additional illustration that makes reading this book even more exciting. The illustrations also give you a true sense of the New York atmosphere and setting.
Mordicai Gerstein’s Caldecott Medal book is both entertaining and educational. Based on a true story of Philippe Petit who loves to entertain children and adults with his unique talents we watch him conquer the World Trade Center which is also a very pivotal character in this picture book. Once deciding that Philippe wants to take the risk of walking between the towers the reader goes on an exciting adventure to see if Philippe can walk the cable and what will be the consequence of his actions. The writing of the book is very simple and straightforward but you want to turn the page to see what happens next. The illustrations that Mr. Gersteain drew are extremely detailed and help create the mood of the book. What I love is the reaction on the people’s faces as they see Philippe walking across the New York style. Also, on the last several pages you are able to open the page to get an additional illustration that makes reading this book even more exciting. The illustrations also give you a true sense of the New York atmosphere and setting.
4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
* Kirkus Reviews- “Readers of all ages will return to this again and again for its history, adventure, humor, and breathtaking homage to extraordinary buildings and a remarkable man.” * School Library Journal- “Gorgeous oil-and-ink paintings capture the aerialist's spirited feat and breathtaking perspectives high above Manhattan harbor.”
* Publishers Weekly- “Gerstein's dramatic paintings include some perspectives bound to take any reader's breath away.”
5. CONNECTIONS
* Read other books on Philippe Petit: MAN ON A WIRE by Philippe Petit. ISBN 9781602393325. Also a movie the students could watch.
* Create a timeline about Philippe Petit’s life with illustrations.
* Other books for children on tight rope walking: MIRETTE ON THE HIGH WIRE by Emily Arnold McCully. ISBN 9780698114432. HAROLD’S CIRCUS by Crockett Johnson. ISBN 9780064430241.
* Have students brainstorm if they could set a world record what would it be and how did it feel after you set the record. Example, I ate 500 hotdogs in 2 minutes and afterwards I didn’t feel very well but I was very excited.
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