Picture Book 17: The Man Who Walked Between the Towers

Author: Mordicai Gerstein

Illustrator: Mordicai Gerstein

Genre: Picture Book

Subgenre: Historical Fiction

Themes: following your dreams, passion, setting and completing goals

Characters:

~Primary: Philippe Petit

~Secondary: friends, police, judge

Awards:

~Caldecott Medal

~Horn Book Award

~Carnegie Medal

Date of Publication: 2003

Publication Company: Roaring Book Press

Summary: Philippe Petit was a performer who loved to push limits.  He could juggle, ride a unicycle, and tightrope walked.  He had even tightrope walked between the spires of Notre Dame Cathedral.  Now, he has his sights set on walking between the two tallest buildings in New York City, the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center.  But with all the obstacles blocking his path, will he be able to make his wish a reality?

Recommendation: This book has wonderful illustrations and a wonderful story.  Children will be amazed by Petit’s feat.  This story would be wonderful for the classroom, especially to talk about the importance of setting and achieving goals; however, it is important to stress that students exercise caution when doing tricks of their own.