Mirette on the High Wire
By Emily Arnold McCully
The Story
A boardinghouse girl in nineteenth-century Paris spots a quiet stranger walking on air across the courtyard and begs him to teach her — not knowing he's a once-famous wire-walker now gripped by fear.
Why It's Special
For the kid who practices cartwheels until dark and won't stop asking to try the thing that looks impossible, Mirette is proof that persistence gets noticed.
- Big idea: Courage can move in both directions — sometimes the student ends up teaching the teacher.
- Vibes: Elegant, hushed, and quietly thrilling, with the romance of old Paris rooftops.
Perfect For Kids Who
- enjoy stories about learning a difficult new skill
- are working on persistence when something feels impossible
- respond well to quiet, atmospheric storytelling over fast action
- love watercolor art full of detail to study
Ask Your Little Reader
- Story & problem-solving: What do you think Mirette noticed first about the stranger crossing the courtyard?
- Feelings & empathy: Why do you think Bellini kept to himself and didn't want to talk about wire-walking?
- Real-life connection: Have you ever wanted to learn something so badly you asked someone to teach you, like Mirette did?
- Imagination: If you saw someone walking on air, what would you say to them?
- Courage: What do you think it means to lose your courage, the way Bellini did?
