The Man Who Walked Between the Towers
By Mordicai Gerstein
The Story
In 1974, a French aerialist strings a tightrope between the two towers of the World Trade Center and spends an hour walking, dancing, and performing tricks a quarter mile above the city.
Why It's Special
For the kid who stares up at tall buildings and wonders what it would feel like to be that high, this book puts them right on the wire.
- Big idea: Some dreams are worth risking everything for, and beauty can live in the most daring, unlikely places.
- Vibes: Hushed, soaring, and quietly breathtaking, with a sense of wonder that builds toward genuine vertigo.
Perfect For Kids Who
- are fascinated by heights, skyscrapers, and daring feats
- respond well to art that unfolds in dramatic foldout spreads
- enjoy true stories about real people
- are drawn to quiet, poetic storytelling over fast action
Ask Your Little Reader
- Story & imagination: What do you think it felt like to stand on a wire a quarter mile above the ground?
- Real-life connection: Have you ever practiced something hard, over and over, to get better at it?
- Feelings & empathy: Why do you think the man wanted to walk between the towers so badly?
- Art & illustration: What did you notice when the pages folded out wide — how did that make the towers feel taller?
- Big ideas: Do you think it's worth taking a big risk to do something beautiful or amazing?
