Book about Philippe Petit's trip on a high wire between the twin towers

books:

	• The Man Who Walked Between the Towers Square Fish, 2007 - 40 pages average customer review:based on 50 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Our Fourth Grade Review

The Man Who Walked Between the Towers is a true story that every family will enjoy. It is a story that causes strong emotions in its readers. Phillipe Petit was a daring and determined young man who wanted to follow his dream. His goal was to courageously walk between the Twin Towers on a thin cable. Mordecai Gerstein's words and illustrations made this suspenseful story come to life. We felt frightened, even shivering, as Phillipe, using perseverance and humor, accomplished his goal. As you read this inspiring story, you'll feel determined to follow your dreams!

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The Hire Wire Act Over the World Trade Center

This is a wonderful story of Philippe Petit and his walk between the Twin Tower of the World Trade Center. It is done in a very moving way and the story is truly touching. I can't believe he did it! Since the towers are no more, the story is even more eloquent.

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Book about Philippe Petit's trip on a high wire between the twin towers

Honestly, if the title alone doesn't catch your attention, nothing will.

This book walks a fine line (no pun) between serious and fun, and just manages to hit the right notes every time. I firmly recommend it.

A Book Worth Walking a Tightrope For (ED 30 review)

Philippe Petit was a French aerialist who performed in the streets of New York City. During the final stages of construction on the two World Trade Center Towers, Petit saw a chance to once again challenge himself and defy gravity by performing a daring acrobatic feat. This was not the first Petit had tempted fate. In the late 1960's he walked on a tiny tightrope between the steeples of the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris, France. He began plotting for his daring endeavor. He enlisted the help of some close friends to disguise them selves as construction workers in order to gain access to the roofs of the towers. At nightfall they lugged the necessary cables and cords up many flights of stairs. After failed attempts to launch and secure the cable across both towers, Petit and his friends were able to anchor the tightrope just as the sun was rising. Petit put on the appropriate attire, stepped onto the 7/8-of-an-inch-thick wire with a balancing pole in hand, and took the first step. Petit soon attracted the attention of onlookers by his dancing, balancing and tricks over one thousand feet in the air. Unfortunately, he also garnered the police's attention. Although police hastily ran up to the top of the towers, no one was brave enough to step out onto the wire and catch Petit. After almost an hour of showcasing his remarkable balancing skills, Petit finally conceded, walked back to one tower, and was immediately handcuffed by the police. Upon appearing in court, the judge sentenced Petit to perform in Central Park for years to come, providing endless entertaining for children and visitors alike.
This story is classified as a biography, or more specifically an episodic biography, for many reasons. Gerstein used primary sources when researching his text (various New York newspapers, Petit's own book, and an onlooker's account of that day). He provides critical information about the event, while flawlessly integrating it within a well designed storyline. Petit himself is described as an extraordinary ordinary person whose courage and determination help him accomplish this seemingly impossible task. The author gives insight to Petit's thoughts and readers are fascinated by Gerstein's accurate and engaging portrayal. Gerstein utilizes descriptive imagery and poetic language to capture Petit's unique abilities. The Caldecott winning ink and oil paintings capture the reader's attention, especially the two pullout pages depicting Petit's aerial view of the city atop the high wire.

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Great tool for the classroom!

Love this book! My partner teacher and I use this book each year to teach a lesson to our 5th graders on September 11th. What better way than to give them some background of the towers and to draw their attention in...Then, to let them ponder on the thought as it ends that now the towers are gone. Wonderful book!

reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

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 dramatic foldout spreads-- the vertiginous drama of Petit's feat.

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