The Man Who Walked Between the Towers

Wonderful! Beautiful! Gorgeous! A must have for anyone teaching about 9/11. I read this to my 10th and 11th graders and most of them loved it (except the ones who think they’re too cool and too old to be read to, no such thing). I would recommend the hardcover. It’s worth the investment. I couldn’t justify it though bc I have the hc packed away in a tote box somewhere in my garage.

THE MAN WHO WALKED BETWEEN THE TOWERS was written and illustrated by Mordicai Gerstein and tells the true story of Philippe Petit. Petit was a transplant to New York and was basically a street performer, though in his native home of Paris, France he had been famously known for his skill as a tightrope walker. As the Twin Towers were nearing the end of constrution in the summer of 1974, Petit decided to try the impossible and walk between the towers. So, on the evening of August 7, 1974 Petit and company snuck into the Twin Towers and under the cover of darkness went about setting up a high wire between the buildings. As morning dawned and the people of the city began their busy day, Philippe began walking between the buildings. The people below soon discovered what was going on and the authorities were called in. However, there really wasn't anything to be done until Petit finished with his act. Petit was later sentenced to many hours of community service (I believe he was also fined). However, the day he walked between the towers was a day that people never will forget.

THE MAN WHO WALKED BETWEEN THE TOWERS is about a man who did something illegal and in a legalist point of view, it is not a story that is probably appropriate for children. But the story doesn't hold up Philippe Petit as a man who should be honored because of the illegal actions he committed. Instead, it is a story that reminds us that sometimes we have to think outside the box. Sometimes we not only have to dream the impossible dream, but we have to live it as well. The book is also a remarkable tribute to all of those who died on September 11th. The book reminds us that though the towers are no longer there, they still exist in our memories. Life is so short and precious. Make the most of every moment.

The illustrations in the book accompany the text of the story quite well. They aren't Gerstein's best, but they are impressive nevertheless and it's not difficult to see why THE MAN WHO WALKED BETWEEN THE TOWERS won a Caldecott Medal. A wonderful book for all ages.

The Man Who Walked Between the Towers

I read the book The Man Who Walked Between the Towers. I chose it because it's my favorite book and movie because I like magicians. The book is about a famous man who tied a rope to the Twin Towers and walked on the rope. He was a tight-rope-walker. A woman coming out of the subway saw him first. He got arrested but the mayor said he gets a stadium to perform. Determination is the theme. The main message is to follow your dreams. Just like the man who walked the towers, that was his dream. I'm different from the man; I wouldn't walk on the rope because it's too scary. Before I read The Man Who Walked Between the Towers I thought it was fake, but my mom said it is real. I recommend this books for 4 and 5 year-olds but I think the parents should read the book to the children. I recommended this book because it is very interesting and I enjoyed having it read to me.

I remember this incident from my childhood, being dazzled by the photographs in the newspaper. The Caldecott honor is well-earned for Gerstein vividly captures the magic of this incident, both from the vantage-point of the observers on the ground as well as Petit's perspective from the wire. I always worry when a wonderful illustrator is also the author. All too rarely do the talents flow both ways. But Gerstein keeps the prose to a minimum and the words push the action just as effectively as the illustrations. There are two pull out illustrations, which very effectively demonstrate the length of the walk, as well as the height of the towers. Gerstein also gives a nice -- and moving-- tribute to the towers in the closing pages. During my first reading of the book to my sons, the two of them excitedly asked me, "Does he make it??" After the final page, they both yelled, "Read it again!" Better praised an author/illustrator couldn't receive.

This book is perfect for youngsters. Not only are the drawings realistic and dizzying, but the way the author tells the story is straightforward and sensitive, not at all sensationalistic. We don't get the idea that this dangerous, unbelievable stunt was "okay" -- Philippe Petit did get arrested once he came down off the wire, however, we see his point of view, his affinity for the buildings, and how he perfected his skills before attempting this feat. I recall, as a young child, when this story was in the news. And when the towers fell on September 11, 2001, I watched this gentle Frenchman come to tears on the news during an interview, as he remembered walking between them. Very moving and poignant story, one to share with your family to spark a thoughtful discussion.

The year was 1974, Phillippe Petit gazes upon the twin towers. He is a French aerialist, a street performer. He juggles and rides a unicycle, but most of all he likes to walk on a rope he tied between two trees. One day he looked at the World Trade Center. He was barely looking at the towers themselves, more at the space between them. He had walked a rope between other high places; why not there? One day he came up with a plan to get atop the twin towers. What happened? Just read "The Man Who Walked Between The Towers"
And even though there's only a ghostly picture of the World Trade Center left in our mind, we will always remember the daring man who once walked between them.
This book was a great experience to read, but just reading it made me feel like I was waaaaaay too high up.
I would recommend this book to adults and children alike.

As another reviewer points out, this book is brave because it touches on the subject we have been desiring to shield our children from, but it does it ever so gently.
The story that is the focus of this books is at once suspenseful, delightful, and amazing. the store provides a synopsis so I won't repeat it here, but let me just say that the images are the perfect complement to the well-written narrative. What makes this book truly incredible is the fact that it's true (see "To Reach the Clouds: My High Wire Walk Between the Twin Towers"). I found this book so captivating that I described it in every detail, explaining the illustrations, to my husband that evening.
Highly recommended for children (and adults!) who dream of adventures.

Age Recommendation: 6 - 10; Children begin to like realistic books around first grade.
Summary: The Man who Walked Between the Towers tells the story of a French man, Philippe Petit. He loved to walk across a tight rope. Petit wanted to walk across the Twin Towers in New York City, but knew that it would not be supported by the owner of the buildings. He schemed, and managed to sneak up late at night to put a cable between the two towers on August 7, 1974. He was arrested after his successful tight rope walk. He was charged with community service, and performed in a park. Little kids tried to make him fall, but he caught himself.
Critical Review: Mordical Gerstein creates a beautiful, true story about Philippe Petit. The book was awarded the Caldecott Medal in 2004 for its illustrations. It begins like a fairy tale, "Once there were two towers side by side" (p. 1). The illustrations are consistent with the text. The book states, "He was a street performer. He rode a unicycle. He juggled balls and fiery torches" (p. 2). The associated illustrations show him riding a unicycle juggling balls and torches. The text is accurate, and portrays him as a French man. The book talks about him walking across a wire between the steeples of the Notre Dame Cathedral (p. 3). This would provide the children with a little bit of information about France. The illustrations appeared sketched, and filled in with water colors. The illustrations do an amazing job showing the process of Petit putting a wire between the Twin Towers in New York City. They do this by showing the same scene at different times. To more effectively show the distance that the towers were from each other, Gerstein uses fold out pages. The reader is shown two pages with no words, and then they notice that the page folds out (p. 16 - 17). To show how high the man is in the sky, there are birds flying on the same level as him. To more effectively show the height of the towers, Gerstein again uses fold out pages. It is kind of inconvenient that the book flips vertical, but is definitely effective at showing the height of the towers (p. 18 - 19). At the end, Gerstein shows that the Twin Towers are no longer standing (p. 27). He ends with a state of optimism though, and talks about how the reader can remembers the towers by remembering how Petit walked between them on August 7, 1974 (p. 28).

My understanding of the Caldecott Medal is that is awarded to an outstanding picture book artist and that the text can be inconsequential in consideration of the award.
That being the case, there is no doubt that The Man Who Walked Between the Towers deserves its prize. A fascinating snapshot of time is captured in this book with an amazing eye towards unusual perspectives and views and innovative page designs, including two fold outs.
While the text of the story is a little awkward, it gets the point across. Gerstein seems to end Petit's story before the book ends and uses the final pages to focus the reader on the World Trade Center, not Petit, leaving the reader a little unsure if the book is a memorial to Petit or to the towers.
Ultimately, one is not unhappy to end up calling it a little bit of both.

Phillippe was a famous tightrope walker in Paris. When he came to NY the Twin Towers were still under construction.

During the day Phillippe and a few friends dressed as construction workers and snuck their equipment up to the roof and hid until everyone left. In the evening they strung a wire between the towers and at sunrise Phillippe walked and danced on the wire for 1 hour.

He knew he would be arrested when he was finished. The crowd below was in awe of what Phillippe did. After being arrested the judge sentenced Phillippe to 30 days community service entertaining the local children.

This was based on a true story. Nice book I also learned something and it was a nice commemoration to read this book to remember the Towers.

Reviewed by Young Mensan Rami, age 6

I can hardly believe there are no reviews here yet for this utterly enchanting book, made especially for children, of Philippe Petit's high-wire crossing between the two World Trade Center towers in 1974. In simple prose and exquisite illustrations, it perfectly captures the idea of having an astonishing, almost impossible dream, and making it come true. Two strategically placed, fold-out pages make the young man's daring, and what he accomplished, dizzingly real.

I have yet to meet a child who has not been utterly mesmerized by this book. And don't worry that it is any kind of encouragement for them to do dangerous things. Above all, it is a celebration of the human spirit, as well as a loving - and ultimately redeeming - tribute to two buildings that have been tarnished by so much tragedy.

This is a great book to memorialize both the Twin Towers as well as an amazing feat performed by Philippe Petit. Children will get to experience the thrill and wonder of what the towers embodied while reading and looking at the amazing pictures. It's a good way to bring up a really difficult emotional subject with younger children who may not fully comprehend what happened on 9/11 Even without that element, it's a fantastically inspiring story of one man and his adventurous nature. The illustrations are done dramatically to portray a sense of grandeur. Some of the pages expand outwards, adding further drama to the book. The colors are pretty subdued, but they all swirl together, creating a sense of tranquility.

I think that this book is very inspiring. I think this because it tells you to do things that are really hard. This book is short but REALLY GOOD. It inspires me because it is hard to even an a tight rope and he walked, danced, ran, and did all those things on a tight rope between the twin towers which are a quarter mile in the air. This now inspires me to do more things because he walked (more than that) the twin towers. and that is VERY HARD. This is SUPER inspiring and I no I've said that a million times but this is a really interesting book. I absolutely love this book. I hope it inspires you too!!!!!!!!!!!! :-)

This true story is well written and fantastically illustrated. It's about the amazing walk of aerealist Phillipe Petite between the two towers of the World Trade Center. When he is on the wire, the perspective showing how high he is, is so well drawn that my stomach flips. This amuses my children to no end. Added to this physical sensation is that it is on a tri-fold page which gives the viewer a real sense of being out there way above lower Manhattan. We've had this book for three years and enjoy it as much today as we did when we first brought it home.

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.

I really enjoyed the review by E. R. Bird "Ramseelbird" and I agree with those comments and sentiment.

I can't recall how this book found its way into my 4-year old son's library, but we stumbled upon it and he always enjoys me re-reading it over and over. He has lots of questions about the perspective in the photos, what Petit is doing on the wires, whether he is going to fall or get hurt... so we read it over and over.

The first time I read it, I was not ready for the last page that begins "and now the towers are gone..." Wow. I always pause to compose myself on that one, which makes my son look up at me with a "what's going on" gaze. He asked why the towers are gone. At age 4, I kept it to "some bad people knocked them down, but everyone is ok now."

So, we focus on the positive in the book, and we are both happy with it. I would highly recommend it for your kids' library, especially if NY was ever your home, like it was for me when I was a kid.

The Man Who Walked Between The Towers
By Mordecai Gerstein
2003, Square Fish, Holtzbrinck Publishers
Caldecott Medal Winner

Review by Debra Louise Scott

Based upon a real life street performer of the 70's, this book introduces children to Phillipe Petit who practiced his art boldly in the face of law, safety, and common sense. He stretched a cable in the middle of the night between the twin towers of the World Trade Center when it was under construction. At dawn he walked across and defied police who tried to arrest him. Eventually he walked back to the roof and allowed himself to be handcuffed. The book ends with a page telling the child that the towers are no longer there, without explanation except that they live on in our memory.

It is a good story for encouraging creative expression, even if others disapprove. It also has the subtext of civil disobedience, in the name of Art. Petit is certainly a little known folk hero that many of today's grandparents who were part of that counter culture will enjoy talking about.

I wish the allusion to the WTC had been handled differently. As an adult, I understand the motivation to avoid getting caught up in that horrible event. However, reading the last page as if I were a child, I forgot about the performer and just wanted to know where the towers went to... as if they wandered off. The book opens with "Once there were two towers..." as if this was a fable, so that's ok, but the ending makes you realize it was real. Perhaps it would have been easier to understand if that information was up front, saying that New York used to have two towers, although they are no longer there. At this point, I would have stopped worrying about the fact that they are gone and enjoyed the story all the way to the end.

This book is about a street performer who likes to dance on a rope between trees, who likes to juggle balls and torches on fire! When he comes to the World Trade Center he immediately wants to walk between the two towers the are a quarter of a mile high, so he asks the police if it's OK, but they all of them say, "NO! It's to dangerous! You might get hurt!". But he wants to do it anyway! This book is very good children's picture book and I would recommend it for 1st-5th graders.

The Man Who Walked Between the Towers is remarkable book based on realistic ficiton. It is about a man named Philippe who was daring enough to walk on a tightrope between two towers. The book is narrated in third person and does a great job letting the reader feel suspenseful and anxious to see what happens next. The illustrations express step by step how this man walks between the towers. I was shocked to find out it is based on a true story and I think children will love it. It is a gratifying way to remember the twin towers that once were a part of New York City.

I'm a special education resource teacher who works with struggling readers in small groups. I recently read "The Man Who Walked Between the Towers" as an instructional read-aloud to one group. They were absolutely fascinated, and these fifth and sixth graders who have reading difficulty were so engrossed in the story of Philippe Petit. They asked wonderful questions and eagerly tore into a post-reading writing assignment. The illustrations in this book, also by the author, are awe-inspiring. I can't recommend this book highly enough; it's fantastic and one of the best additions to my classroom library in a long time.

This story is filled with sensational illustrations and thrill, it tells of a young French man by the name of Philippe Petit. He decides to tight rope walk between what is formally known as, the Twin Towers in New York City 1974. The man and a few of his friends dressed in disguise, climbed the stairs and after several attempts; they successfully tied the rope between the two towers. When the man starts to venture out on the rope, he feels on top of the world. A young lady from below yells out, the police men run up and demand him to come off; and....You have to read the rest of the story to see what happens. I promise that it truly deserves the Caldecott Award. The illustrations, the history, the anticipation of what Philippe would do; it brought an unforgettable feeling over me. I recommend this book for the classroom, or anyone who can appreciate a story full of history and beautiful illustrations.

Sometimes behaving like a child brings out the best in adults. Phillipe Petit proved this point when he stopped a city in its tracks and made us gasp with delight at his miraculous feat.

I was a New Yorker when joy fueled Petit's walk between the towers, and I was a New Yorker when madness fueled their destruction. The illustrations have a wonderful innocence and Mordicai Gerstein's simple, poignant telling of the tale in equal parts reminds us that any dream is possible and reminds us of all that was lost.

I was moved to tears.

I recently stumbled upon this book from it's Caldecott Award. Once I read it I was amazed, I had no idea someone had done this. This book is a wonderful tribute to The World Trade Center. The books character, Philippe, knew he would get into trouble but was determined to balance himself to walk between the two massive towers. He had done this before in his home of Paris at the Notre Dame Cathedral and was so excited about using his talent in New York. The author, Mordicai Gerstein, has written many other childrens books. A few of these where: What Charlie Heard a Gold Award Winner, Wild Boy an ALA notable children's book and Victor which the New York Times reported as one of the top ten children's book for 1998. The Man Who Walked Between The Towers is a great book and would be excellent used in the classroom or in the home.

Congratulations to Mordechai Gerstein on receiving the 2004 Caldecott medal!
My twins love this book, drawn by the wonderfully true and inspiring story as well as the spectacular illustrations. The story, by its very nature, outshines the somewhat awkward and slightly didactic text, which nonetheless evoked powerful memories of Petit's feat in this former New Yorker.
How fortunate that my children are young enough to be blissfully unaware that they witnessed the destruction of the twin towers while perched on my shoulder in front of the television for hour after awful hour on 9/11. However, every parent must prepare to answer the inevitable question arising from the book's final page: "Daddy, why aren't the towers there anymore?"
I still haven't come up with a satisfactory answer.....

Have you ever dreamed of doing something you felt you had to do? Well Phillipe has. In this beautifully illustrated book, The Man Who Walked Between the Towers, by Mordicai Gerstein, Phillipe is a street performer from Paris and loves to walk and dance while balancing on a wire. Phillipe is visiting New York City in August of 1974 when he lays his eyes on the magnificent structure that is of the twin towers. He glazed up and down, side to side, as he noticed how tall and beautiful they are. Then he had an epiphany. Phillipe began to ponder "How would it feel to walk across these two towers on a wire." Back home in Paris he was able to dance between the steeples of Notre Dame Cathedral, he thought surly he could do the same here in New York. Possible problems that could occur began to fill Phillipe's thoughts. The police would never allow him access to the towers and complete his desire. So Philipe though up a secret plan to set up and tie the wire in between the two towers during nightfall. Questions begin to arise, "Will Phillipe get caught by the police? What will end up happening to him if his plans are not achieved?" This picture book has many beautiful images, the pictures are so detailed; it makes it easy for one to follow along in the story. Students are able to see creativity and how it is tied to daily decisions, which then allows them to use their creativity in ways they have not before opening them up to new experiences. I would recommend this book for grades second and up.

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!

This 2004 Caldecott winner is based on the true story of Philippe Petit. During the contruction of the World Trade Center, he devised a plan to walk a tightrope between the twin towers. The illustrations are the main feature of this book. There are some wonderful overhead perspectives that allow the reader to get a sense of how it would actually feel to walk hundreds of feet in the air. This book does not dwell on the loss of the towers (although it is mentioned), but rather celebrates the courageous spirit of Philippe Petit. Both children and adults will find this story interesting.

Beautifully written! This book shows our kids that dreams can be achieved with careful planning and tenacity. It paints a beautiful picture of the towers and ties in a delicate touch of history! People of all ages will learn from the courageous act of one person.

Tells the true story of the street performer who walked a high wire between the Twin Towers in 1974 - tells it well, and with playful illustrations, and tells it with giant fold-out pages that show the space betweeen the buildings, as well as Phillipe Petit's height above the ground.

Shows the space now, where the Twin Towers ought to be.

Build them back.

I really enjoyed the book " The Man Who Walked Between The Towers." It had a great plot and I think it would be easy for little children to understand. The book probably wouldn't ever happen in real life. The illustrations were very good and described the book very well. I think the pictures were some type of pastel colors which looked very flowing. Overall I enjoyed the book.

On the morning of August 7, 1974, Phillipe Petit stretched a tightrope between the almost-completed World Trade Center towers. High above our nation's most famous city, between two of our most famous landmarks, Petit walked, danced, ran, and played upon a wire. This picture book gives readers a new historical perspective on a landmark whose story has become centered on tragedy. Gerstein, through butterflies-inducing storytelling and smile-provoking illustrations, reminds us of the towers' more joyful memories without discounting the tragedy of September 11, 2001.

I first heard about this book while seeing the author being interviewed on the "Today show" after winning the Caldecott award. The subject matter really peeked my interest both due to the fact that I vaguely remember when Philippe actually did this
and the fact that due to the terriorists the "towers" are gone.
We lost a family member on 9/11 and I really wanted something positive and lovely to remember the towers and those who worked there. The book is lovingly illustrated and beautifully written and will be a classic in my house for my grandchildren to read and be read too.

My partner and I *loved* this children's book. We happened upon it in a bookstore. We sat down and I read it to her. We cried at the end. It's a touching story. As an honorable (and rare) memory about the Twin Towers that has *nothing* to do with terrorism, it's an safe, positive important story for children that balances the scary rhetoric of destruction and despair. Reminds me of an emotional eulogy to a dear lost friend.

Not to mention the adventure for Phillipe!

Truly lovely book. We bought it, and we don't even have kids.

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.

I have read this book numerous times to numerous groups, young and old. It never fails to capture and retain their attention. The illustrations are rich, warm, and inviting, with just enough text on each page to describe the action. The fact that it's a true story makes it all the more enjoyable!

This book was hands down one of the best children's books i have ever read! The illustrations are amazing, the story is even better. As i read the book I could not stop thinking about how many different ways i could use this book in a classroom. I think this is a great book to read to children before you start talking about 9/11. It tells the true story (which only makes the book better) about a man who walked on a rope between the twin towers. I don't thing that there was one thing that made this book so good it is every part of the book put in to one.

The Man Who Walked Between the Towers is an incredible feat at dealing with a recent crisis and spinning it into a memorable scene of overcoming struggles and following your dreams. The struggle to handle the events of 9/11 is immense, but Gerstein uses a piece of history to bring the Towers to life, not to mention the sheer beauty in the illustrations. This book comes highly recommended.

I absolutly enjoyed this book. It was well written and I liked how it was based upon the memory of the Twin Towers in New York City. It explained what happened well with details. In my case I never knew that his event happened and while reading it I learned amazing facts about Philippe Petit. The pictures were full of color and well drawn, and very humorous!

I am a reading teacher who works with struggling students. I have yet to have a student who didn't connect to this book and totally engage in the words and pictures. I remember the day Phillipe Petit walked between the towers and the the day the towers fell. This book has impacted my life and the lives of my students.

Children will fall in love with this book & Phillipe will surely become their idol. The text is gentle & romantic, and the illustrations evoke the magic of the Towers. The ending is both triumphant & heartbreaking. The hard part for parents is answering their kids' inevitable question: "What happened to the Towers?"

Although this is one of the best books dealing with the tragedy of 9/11 it is by no means the first. Another great children's book that deals with the events and that came out in 2002 is "Fireboat - The Heroic Adventures of the John J Harvey." by Maira Kalman. Check it out.

This book also had a good meaning the author used a true store y to inspire.The story is abour a man who is a performer and wanted to walk beteen the two towers.So he did something about it he snuck on one of the towers thre a rope to the other one and walked a tightrope for a long time but he was really wanting to do that and so he went for his dream

I have mixed thoughts about this book. Not knowing exactly how childrens little brains think. I think this book could give a child the wrong idea. The danger involved is scary. I hope parents explain that this is not a good idea to try.

I am shocked this book has such good reviews. While it does have beautiful artwork, the values/morals in this story are not what I would like my child to think are acceptable.

If you would like your child to learn that it's ok to lie to get what he wants (as the main character lies to get into the towers by falsely imitating one of the construction workers), behave in a dangerous manner regardless of risk to others (as this character does when he puts his "team" and innocent bystanders at risk as he "tight walks" over unsuspecting crowds), defy and disrespect authorities (maybe even you?) who are giving direct orders (as the main character does when the police order him to get down from private property where he is putting others are risk of death, and he mocks and ignores him, continuing to do what he wants instead) and subsequently learn that there will be no accountability or repercussions for your actions when you brake the law (the court does not put this man in jail, fine him, or otherwise punish him; instead his "punishment" is to perform his "act" for others in the park), then you SHOULD by this book.

I, on the other hand, find that this book perpetuates the idea that one should do what feels good, regardless of who it affects or what laws are disregarded, and one should not worry because there will be no accountability or responsibility for your actions!

Very sad this book is even mentioned with the idea that it may help teach children about WTC or 9/11. This is not a hero, an artist, or someone to look up to in the least. This is a self-absorbed, egotistical character (real person) who should not be glorified. I'm so saddened and ashamed that this book is even associated with, let alone a winner of, the Caldecot.