Genre 1 - Picture Books
"Read one of the following recent Caldecott award medal books"
Plot Summary
As the New York World Trade Center's twin towers were being constructed in 1974, a street performing tightrope walker, Philippe, dreams of walking between the towers. Knowing that he would not be allowed to do it officially, he devises a plot to sneak into the towers disguised as a construction worker and string a tightrope between them, a perilous task. Once the tightrope is in place, he begins his performance on the high wire, dancing, twirling, and leaping until the police arrive. Knowing the police won't venture onto his wire, Philippe continues his show until he is satisfied and then he walks to the end of the wire and turns himself over to the police. The book concludes with an image of the current day New York sky line without the towers and a brief reflection on their loss.Critical Analysis
This beautifully illustrated picture book simplifies the actual planning that went into this spectacular event. However, the subdued pastel color palette keeps a very serious tone, even with the playful scribbly sketchiness of the illustrations. These two different tones convey the story marvelously, as the feat took serious planning and execution, but itself was a playful celebration of the towers.Time progression of various scales is well-executed throughout the book. The large fold out pages do a great job of showing the progression of time from one scene to the next, with only moments passing between the two. Similarly, the opening illustration shows the towers being constructed, and the final illustrations show the city now without them.
Connections
- Could be used to introduce a history lesson on the destruction of the twin towers on September 11, 2001.
- Could be paired with other books related to September 11 and its aftermath.
Fireboat: The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey (Picture Puffin Books)
by Maira Kalman
14 Cows for Americaby Carmen Agra Deedy
- Could be grouped with other books on performing artists of similar or different forms.
Awards/Reviews
Caldecott Award WinnerALA Notable Children's Book
Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Picture Book
From Publishers Weekly:
Gerstein's dramatic paintings include some perspectives bound to take any reader's breath away. 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.From School Library Journal:
Gorgeous oil-and-ink paintings capture the aerialist's spirited feat and breathtaking perspectives high above Manhattan harbor.From Booklist:
Here's a joyful true story of the World Trade Center from a time of innocence before 9/11. --Hazel Rochman
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