Book Review - THE MAN WHO WALKED BETWEEN THE TOWERS - Mordicai Gerstein

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Gerstein, Mordicai. 2007. THE MAN WHO WALKED BETWEEN THE TOWERS. Brookfield, CN: Roaring Book Press. ISBN 0761328688



2. PLOT SUMMARY
In 1974, a trapeze artist, Philippe Petit, strung a cable between the twin towers and performed for over an hour.



3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The illustrations are the centerpiece of this story. The writing is sparse and simple, but the images are sweeping and dramatic. The shading of the night scenes conveys that vividly. It is interesting how Gerstein kept moving the perspective from the on-lookers to Philippe himself. This gives the readers a chance to be not only part of the action but simultaneously viewing it. The fold-out of Philippe walking between the towers is majestic and scary and beautiful all at the same time. The point of view is a real knee-knocker!

In some ways, this is a difficult book to read. 2001 is a long time ago, especially for those who were not born at the time of the attacks on the twin towers. Good and bad are black and white issues for many of these children, so it may not be so difficult with the younger kids. Confusion about how and why and when needs to be addressed with those who are a bit older and may have heard about what happened on that day or have a relative somehow connected to this sad day.


4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
* Starred review in PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: "Truly affecting is the book's final painting of the imagined imprint of the towers, now existing "in memory"-linked by Philippe and his high wire."

* Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "With its graceful majesty and mythic overtones, this unique and uplifting book is at once a portrait of a larger-than-life individual and a memorial to the towers and the lives associated with them."



5. CONNECTIONS
* This is a good opportunity to talk to children about ethics. Philippe knew that what he was doing was wrong, but he did it anyway. Was this wrong? Would you or have you ever done something you knew was wrong at the time?

* Most children are aware of the attack of September 11. Does the book make them sad or are they glad to know more about the towers themselves and something "good" that happened there?

* The children are amazed by stats and figures. Have the children line up and "make" the 28 foot pole that Philippe used. The space between the towers was 140 feet. How long is that?