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Cover of The Man Who Walked Between the Towers

The Man Who Walked Between the Towers

by Mordicai Gerstein

Book Details

Publisher:Square Fish
Published:2007-04-17
Pages:44
Format:BOOK
Language:en
ISBN:9781429939959

Reading Info

Age Range:6-10

About This Book

The story of a daring tightrope walk between skyscrapers, as seen in Robert Zemeckis's The Walk, starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt. In 1974, French aerialist Philippe Petit threw a tightrope between the two towers of the World Trade Center and spent an hour walking, dancing, and performing high-wire tricks a quarter mile in the sky. This picture book captures the poetry and magic of the event with a poetry of its own: lyrical words and lovely paintings that present the detail, daring, and--in two dr

Our Review

This beautifully illustrated picture book brings to life the astonishing true story of Philippe Petit's 1974 tightrope walk between the World Trade Center towers. Through lyrical prose and sweeping paintings, young readers experience the meticulous planning and breathtaking execution of this high-wire performance a quarter mile above Manhattan streets. The narrative builds suspense as Petit and his team navigate nighttime preparations before culminating in his magical hour dancing between the skyscrapers at dawn.

What makes this historical account particularly compelling for children is how it transforms an incredible physical feat into an accessible story of determination and artistry. The illustrations masterfully convey both the dizzying heights and the quiet poetry of Petit's walk, creating moments of awe that will linger with young readers long after the final page. This celebration of human courage and creativity serves as a poignant, uplifting introduction to the Twin Towers for a new generation.

Themes

Juvenile Nonfiction

Subjects

Juvenile Nonfiction