The Kite that Bridged Two Nations: Homan Walsh and the First Niagara Suspension Bridge - Hardcover

O'Neill, Alexis

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1590789385 ISBN 13: 9781590789384

Publisher: Calkins Creek, 2013

Synopsis

Homan Walsh loves to fly his kite. And when a contest is announced to see whose kite string can span Niagara Falls, Homan is set on winning, despite the cold and the wind and even when his kite is lost and broken. Homan’s determination is beautifully captured in this soaring, poetic picture book that features Terry Widener’s stunning acrylic paintings. Both author and illustrator worked with experts on both sides of the falls to accurately present Homan Walsh’s story. The book also includes an extensive author’s note, timeline, bibliography, and further resources.

About this title

About the Author:

Alexis O’Neill’s love of New York history began when she taught elementary school in Oneida and grew when she served as an education consultant for several museums in Syracuse. The author of award-winning picture books, including The Recess Queen and Loud Emily, Alexis holds a PhD in teacher education from Syracuse University and is an instructor for the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program. She lives in southern California with her husband and can be reached at alexisoneill.com.

Terry Widener is the award-winning illustrator of more than thirty children’s books, including Lou Gehrig: The Luckiest Man, a Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Honor Book, The Babe and I, a California Young Reader Gold Medal Award, and America’s Champion Swimmer: Gertrude Ederle, a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year and ALA Notable Children’s Book. He lives with his wife in Texas. Visit terrywidenerart.com.

From Booklist:

This fictionalized account of a true story describes a promotional contest sponsored by the engineer for the first bridge to span the Niagara River near Niagara Falls. The contest was won by Homan Walsh, a young Irish immigrant who lived near the falls, loved to fly kites, and was thrilled to learn about the chance to be (as the advertisement read) “The First Boy Whose Kite String Spans from America to Canada.” O’Neill’s spare text communicates both grandeur and dignity and manages to cover a good amount of territory: Homan’s struggle with his disapproving father, the step-by-step building of the kite, the challenges of winning the contest, and Homan’s pride at being a part of the great bridge. Widener’s full-page acrylic paintings closely follow the narrative, emphasizing the harsh winter landscape and giving a clear sense of the odds against spanning the gorge. An extensive author’s note spells out what is known and not known about the story and supplies additional facts about the building of the bridge. Grades 2-4. --Randall Enos

About this edition

• Publisher: Calkins Creek
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1590789385
• ISBN 13: 9781590789384
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 40
• Illustrator: Widener Terry