King of the Tightrope: When the Great Blondin Ruled Niagara

In 1859, The Great Blondin took the most dangerous tightrope walk of his career--a death-defying walk across Niagara Falls. History and STEAM combine for an edge-of-your-seat read.

At the age of four, Jean-Francois Gravelet walked across his first balance beam. Later, he took to the tightrope like a spider to its web and climbed toward stardom. Though his feats became more and more marvelous, he grew bored. That is, until he visited Niagara Falls and imagined doing something that no one else had ever accomplished.

To cross the raging river, the Great Blondin needed determination, an understanding of engineering, and a belief that what he could imagine, he could accomplish. And in 1859, with all of his preparation complete, Blondin stepped out onto the most dangerous tightrope walk he'd ever faced.

Award-winning nonfiction author Donna Janell Bowman uses her trademark in-depth research to give readers a close look at the hard work and meticulous mathematic and scientific planning it took to plan and execute and astonish feat. Adam Gustavson's detailed illustrations turn this book into an experience that will astound and inspire. This fascinating, STEAM-filled story will have readers holding their breath!

Author: Donna Janell Bowman
Publisher: Peachtree Publishers
Published: 10/01/2019
Pages: 48
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.05lbs
Size: 11.20h x 8.80w x 0.40d
ISBN: 9781561459377
Audience: Ages 9-12

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 4.3
Point Value: 0.5
Interest Level: Lower Grade
Quiz #/Name: 514868 / King of the Tightrope: When the Great Blondin Ruled Niagara


Review Citation(s):
Booklist 06/01/2019 pg. 81
Kirkus Reviews 07/15/2019
School Library Journal 11/01/2019 pg. 72

About the Author
Bowman, Donna Janell: - Donna Janell Bowman is the author of a number of children's books, including the award-winning Step Right Up: How Doc and Jim Key Taught the World about Kindness. She holds an MFA in Writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts.Gustavson, Adam: - Adam Gustavson is the illustrator of more than twenty books for children, as well as numerous periodicals. He holds a master of fine arts degree from the School of Visual Arts in New York, and teaches at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. He lives in New Jersey.