Caldecott Award Book - "The Man Who Walked Between the Towers" by Mordicai Gerstein

Part One

Book Information: Gerstein, M. (2003). The Man Who Walked Between The Towers. Connecticut: Roaring Brook Press.

Genre: Historical/Contemporary Picture Book

Grade Level: Suited for grades 3-5, although some sensitive issues may arise because of the tragic events that took place at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Although this allows older students to have rich discussions about the subtle symbolism and the way it pays tribute to the events. Younger students who are not familiar with these events will appreciate the book at face value.

Part Two

Response to Book: Personal connections and thoughts about the book’s theme!

“Once there were two towers side by side. They were each a quarter of a mile high; one thousand three hundred and forty feet. The tallest buildings in New York City.”

The first sentences of the book are powerful and emotional, especially for those old enough to remember the tragic events of September 11, 2001. I remember everything from that day so I felt a personal connection to the story. Turning the pages and seeing the two towers standing tall and proud was emotional for me, although, sadness is not all I felt. Gerstein does a fantastic job of depicting an uplifting and inspirational event that took place at the World Trade Center. In this sense if offers readers, both young and old, a happy image and history of the towers. I was even unfamiliar with the history behind the towers because it was before my time. Gerstein’s beautifully illustrated images and the story pays tribute to the American spirit and the memory of World Trade Center towers. The book respectfully commemorates and honors those who lost their the lives on September 11, 2001.

Gerstein does a wonderful job of subtly integrating American themes throughout the book. I think Philippe’s character parallels the American spirit in many ways. In the beginning of the story, Philippe is determined and driven by his dream to walk between the two towers. Even when people tell him “no” he does not stop and give up on his dream. Philippe is a risk-taker who perseveres and makes the most of every opportunity. When he finally gets his opportunity to walk between the towers, Philippe feels free. He was not afraid because he had waited so long for that moment. Gerstein describes Philippe as brave, independent, and free. These are characteristics and traits that are revered by Americans and truly tie in the American theme. I think Gerstein intentionally portrays Philippe this way in order to honor the Americans who died in the towers. Even the seagulls that flew around him as he walked across the rope looked like a bald eagles soaring across the sky.

Part Three

Critique

Overall, I felt this book was a brilliantly illustrated and written book about the World Trade Center towers that tells as truly inspirational, uplifting, and courageous story. The book chronicles the adventure of Philippe Petit, a street performer, who fearlessly walked on a tight rope between the Twin Towers in 1974. As I expressed earlier, the word choice and language Gerstein uses ties into the American theme. I feel Gerstein uses loaded words that have strong emotional connotations throughout his story. I think he does this to honor and commemorate the events of that fateful day. The plot of the story is also affected by the American theme. Philippe is not just described as a playful street performer, he is described as man who has a dream and is determined make his dream a reality. He perseveres and in the end he reaches his goal.  The story of Philippe resembles in a way the American Dream. I also think this is a story that hits home with most Americans. In this way, we can see how Gerstein wrote this to reach a specific audience. Since the book is the 2004 Caldecott Medal Winner, it is important to note Gerstein’s beautiful ink and oil paintings. The perspectives of these illustrations are what amazed me most. There are two foldout pages in the book that show incredible views of Philippe from the ground looking up and from a bird looking down towards him. The text and illustrations both marvelously depict the dangerous and astonishing risk Philippe took that day. The illustrations in the book are truly remarkable because you almost feel you feel like you are walking the tightrope with Philippe (a bit scary since I’m afraid of heights!). This book serves as a great memory for Philippe Petiti's daring show, but also of the towers themselves and the mark they have left on the entire country.

Part Four

Lesson Sketch

Grade: 4^th

Lesson Objectives:

Students will:

• Define character traits
• Use inference skills to analyze a character using character traits
• Cite evidence from text to support conclusions
• Compare and contrast literature and informational text

Lesson Outline:

1. Before reading, have students choose a favorite movie, TV, or book character. Ask students to describe that character using specific words. Using chart paper, have the class come up with a list of “Character Traits” they might use to describe a person.
2. Distribute the Philippe Petit Character Trait Chart to each student.
3. As the story is read, pause at key points, and have the students fill in the chart. Have the students leave the boxes labeled character trait empty until after the story is finished. Discuss how his actions, words, feelings, and thoughts determine his character.
4. After the story is finished have the students reread their responses for how Philippe acted, what he said, thought and felt. Students should then use that information to infer character traits to describe Philippe Petit. They may use the Character Traits chart made before reading the story for help.
5. After reading, have the students choose a book they can read independently. While reading, have the students fill out a blank character trait worksheet about the main character.

Discussion Questions:

• Why was Philippe confident he could walk between the two towers without falling?
• Why did the police arrest Philippe? Do you think he was wrong?
• What were the reactions of the crowd when they saw Philippe walking on the high wire? What would you do if you saw him up there?
• What do you think was the most amazing part of the story?
• How did Philippe feel when he was out on the high wire?
• Do you know a character or person who shares the same character traits as Phillipee? If so, what character traits do they have in common and why?

Links to Outside Sources:

http://corkboardconnections.blogspot.com/2012/09/honoring-911-delicate-balance.html

Great resource for extension activities, including compare and contrast literature and informational text activity, an exploring numbers and measurements activity, and experiment with center of gravity activity.

http://www.carolhurst.com/titles/manwhowalked.html

This is another great resource for activities to do during reading and after. One of my favorites is the gym activity where students can try walking back and forth on a balance beam set close to the floor to get some sense of Philippe’s feat.

http://www.liveoakmedia.com/client/guides/94258.pdf

Here’s an activity guide with some great information about how to create cross-curricular activities while reading the story with students. 

Here's a picture of Philippe Petit!