The Man Who Walked Between the Towers is a children’s picture book written by Mordicai
Gerstein in 2003. This book won the
Caldecott Award in 2004.
The Man Who Walked Between the Towers is a picture book that chronicles Philipe Petit’s
daring tightrope walk between the New York City Twin Towers in 1974. It is astounding to learn that this story is
based on the factual events of August 7, 1974.
Philipe Petit is a French
street performer. He juggles, rides a
unicycle and displays mind-bobbling balance as he walks, dances, and performs
on a tight rope. He walked on a
tightrope between the steeples of Notre Dame in Paris, France, so when he saw
the twin towers being erected he decided he would walk between these towers as
well. Knowing he would not be granted
permission to do this feat, he and some buddies snuck to the top of the towers
dressed as construction workers. The
book explains how they secured the tightropes, working into the early morning
hours. Then Petit, took his unbelievable
and daring, hour long walk, a quarter of a mile up into the sky. The book ends with a fitting tribute to our
beloved twin towers.
Impressions
Mordicai Gerstein’s artwork
in this story gives the reader an accurate sense of how high a quarter of a
mile up truly is. He masterfully
illustrates people on the ground looking up at Petit while including the towers
and Petit in the illustration. Conversely
he draws the opposite “bird’s eye view” of Petit, looking down on him from
above while still including a street scene.
From this view you even get a curvature of the Earth sensation. Birds at different altitudes are included to
truly bring a feeling of the depth.
There are two centerfold pictures that open up to reveal a large three
page picture. Even the first page
illustration, a city view of New York City, is a startling reminder of how tall
those buildings were in relation to other buildings in New York City. Having the ability to create these
perspective illustrations is an indisputable gift.
I had not heard this story
before it became recommended reading for my Children’s Literature class. All of the 911 tributes I have ever seen were
tributes of people who died in this tragic event. While, of course, remembering those lives
lost is the utmost priority, reading the book helps us to realize that we also
have a loss of iconic American buildings which defined the landscape of the
city. This story brings the building to
life and allows us to appreciate its life as well. At a time when it was so painful to reflect
on those days, this book provides a monumentalization we can almost wrap our
brains around.
Gerstein said in a speech
that he told this story because it made him happy, and made “the soles
of my feet tingle” (Horn Book, 2005). He dedicates the book to Petit saying, “for the gifts
of his courage, his impeccable art, and his mythic sense of mischief.”
(Gerstein, 2003) It is no doubt that
American’s everywhere appreciate hearing this story and seeing it retold this
way through Gerstein’s art.
Professional Reviews
With heart-stopping images
and a suspenseful text, Gerstein tells of aerialist Philippe Petit, who in 1974
contrived to stretch a tightrope between the twin towers of the World Trade
Center and then walked — and even danced — across them, a quarter of a mile
above the earth. Both haunting September 11 tribute and exhilarating story,
this is spectacular nonfiction. Review 11/03. (Primary)
--Horn Book, 2003
A spare recounting of
Philippe Petit’s daring 1974 wire walk between the Twin Towers depicts him as a
street performer who defies authority to risk his feat, is arrested, and then
sentenced to perform for the children of New York. At the conclusion, on the
only non-illustrated page are the stark words, “Now the towers are gone,”
followed by the changed skyline and finally by a skyline on which are etched
the ghost-like shapes of the towers as memory of the buildings and of Petit’s
exploit. At the heart are the spreads of Petit on the narrow wire, so far above
the city that Earth’s curve is visible. Two ingenious gatefolds draw readers’
eyes into the vertiginous sweep of wirewalker—sky and city below. Unparalleled
use of perspective and line—architectural verticals opposed to the curve of
wires and earth—underscore disequilibrium and freedom. In a story that’s all
about balance, the illustrations display it exquisitely in composition. 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.
(Picture book/nonfiction. 5+)
--Kirkus Review, 2003
Library Uses
This book should be included
with a 911 display and tribute activities.
I am sure it was popular soon after it was written, but I think it needs
to be revived with children today. The book
could be read to young elementary students as an introduction to the events of
911. Children are amazed that Philipe
Petit actually performed these acts, so a follow-up activity showing students
the real photographs and YouTube videos could lead to a useful discussion about
fiction and nonfiction in picture books.
References
2004 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Picture Book: The Man
Who Walked Between the Towers by Mordicai Gerstein - The Horn Book. (2005,
January 9). Retrieved February 9, 2015, from
http://www.hbook.com/2005/01/news/boston-globe-horn-book-awards/2004-boston-globe-horn-book-award-for-picture-book-the-man-who-walked-between-the-towers-by-mordicai-gerstein/#_
Gerstein, M., & Tuosto, F. (2003). The man who walked
between the towers. Brookfield, Conn.: Roaring Brook Press.
Horn Book Fanfare 2003 - The Horn Book. (2003, November 28).
Retrieved February 9, 2015, from
http://www.hbook.com/2003/11/choosing-books/recommended-books/horn-book-fanfare-2003/
The man who walked between the towers by Mordicai Gerstein ,
Mordicai Gerstein | Kirkus. (2003, August 1). Retrieved February 9, 2015, from
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/mordicai-gerstein/the-man-who-walked-between-the-towers/
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