Module 3 | The Man Who Walked Between the Towers

PLOT SUMMARY
The Man Who Walked Between the Towers recounts the true story of Philippe Petit, a French high wire artist who in 1974 strung a tightrope between the World Trade Center towers. To onlookers' amazement, Petit walked, danced, knelt, and rested on the rope for nearly an hour.

MY IMPRESSIONS
The book won the 2004 Caldecott medal for its brilliant illustrations by Mordicai Gerstein, some of which are full page, some panels, and some fold-out. The book's title page shows the towers under construction, which makes its final pages even more heartbreaking: "Now the towers are gone. But in memory, as if imprinted on the sky, the towers are still there. And part of that memory is the joyful morning, August, 1974, when Philippe Petit walked between them in the air." The story is a wonderful celebration of the World Trade Center, Petit's zest for life, and the weird, fantastical moments that make up our history.

REVIEWS
"Gerstein's simple words and dramatic ink-and-oil paintings capture the exhilarating feats, the mischief, and the daring of the astonishing young acrobat."
Hazel Rochman, Booklist, Nov. 1, 2003, Vol. 100, No. 5

"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."
Kirkus Reviews, Aug. 1, 2003, Vol. 71, No. 15

"The Man Who Walked Between the Towers captures the poetry and magic of [Petit's] feat with a poetry of its own: lyrical words and lovely ink and oil paintings that present the detail, the daring, and ─ in two dramatic foldout spreads ─ the vertiginous drama of Petit’s feat."
Cherry Shults, The Lorgnette: Heart of Texas Reviews, Vol. 16, No. 4
 
USES IN THE LIBRARY
The book would be an excellent choice as part of a children's display about 9/11. In addition, it would be great to incorporate the book into a story time or general discussion about amazing feats in history, which could include the Wright Brothers first flight, Annie Taylor's plunge over Niagara Falls, and Harry Houdini's various magic tricks, among others.

CITATION
Gerstein, Mordicai (2003). The man who walked between the towers. Brookfield, Connecticut: Roaring Brook Press.