Monday, April 25, 2016

Crossing Niagara by Matt Tavares - ADVISABLE



Tavares, Matt  Crossing Niagara: The Death-Defying Tightrope Adventures of the Great Blondin  Candlewick Press, 2016.  $17.99  PICTURE BOOK  Content: G.   

Jean Francois Gravelet, known as the Great Blondin, is a tight rope walker who likes to perform tricks.  When he visits Niagara Falls he dreams of crossing it on a tight rope.  His dream comes true attracting the attention of the newspapers at the time as well as many spectators.  He doesn’t just walk the tight rope, he performs crazy tricks like carrying a man across the whole river.   

The illustrations in this nonfiction account are realistic and well done.  The true story of the Great Blondin in the late 1850’s is so shocking and crazy that my son was hooked.  This is a fun and unique story of one man obtaining his dreams.   

EL (K-3), EL – ADVISABLE.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.

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