The Man Who Walked Between the Towers by Mordicai Gerstein

Summary

 This is about the French aerialist Philippe Petit who, in 1974, put a tightrope between the two towers of the World Trade Centers. It chronicles his difficulties, oppositions, and success with this dangerous, but awe inspiring act. 

Genre

 Biography

"Biography tells about a real person's life. The subjects of biography are usually people who are famous [...], but there are also many biographies [...] that are about 'ordinary' people who do extra ordinary things"
(Galda, Cullinan, & Sipe, 2010, p. 18)

 Illustrations

 

This book is illustrated with bold paintings  that fill up most of the page. The pictures are very realistic and accurately depict both the setting and the character.

Classroom Activity

Reader's Response Question

1.  Why would they be afraid to have someone walk between the top of the towers?
2.  From what country is Philippe from?
3.  Why didn't the police walk out there to get Philippe?   

Instruct students to determine the Author’s Message in the story  and apply the meaning to their own life. Students create new ideas and construct new ways of thinking.

Personal Response

Mordicai Gerstein is the Caldecott medal winner 2004, 2004 Boston Globe - Horn Book Award for Picture Books, 2006 Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Children's Video.

 Similar Work

McCully, Emily Arnold. Mirette on the HighWire

Wells, Rosemary. Wingwalker

Petit, Philippe. To Reach the Clouds.

Reference

Galda, L., Cullinan, B.E., & Sipe, L.R. (2010). Literature and the child (7th ed.). Belmond, CA:Wadsworths, Inc.

  Gerstein, M. (2003). The man who walked between the towers. New Milford, CT: Roaring Book   Press, a division of Holtzbrinck  Publishing Holdings Limited Partnership