The Man Who Walked Between the Towers

Caldecott Medal Award Winner 2004

Citation:

The Man Who Walked Between the Towers by Mordicai Gerstein.  (Roaring Book Press, 2003).  36p. Historical Literature Picture Book.

Summary:

Philippe Petit’s true story of his adventure walking on a cable between the World Trade Center towers in 1974.

Critique:

a.         The hues of blues and purples bring life to the story of Philippe Petit’s experience of walking above New York City between the World Trade Center towers.

b.         The true story is brought to life once again with the shades of blue and purple used to create the sky and peace that Philippe Petit felt as he worked to create the cable to walk on as well as the act itself.  The hues present a calming effect for the dangerous adventure.

c.         “He was not afraid.  He felt alone and happy and absolutely free” (p. 20) provides the words for what the illustrations represent.

Curriculum Connection:  

The Man Who Walked Between the Towers could be used in a mathematical lesson about distance and estimation or a science lesson about tension and weight.  Within a physical education classroom this story could be used as a literary introduction to balance and stability.