Mirette and Bellini Cross Niagara Falls

Mirette #3

by Emily Arnold McCully

In this book, Mirette and Bellini have been invited to walk across a wire over Niagara Falls. But when they arrive in New York, it seems they have been challenged by an imposter! Luckily, their new friend, young Jakob from Poland, discovers the imposter's special trick, and Mirette and Bellini succeed once more in high style, stunning the onlookers and giving us another thrilling high-wire story.

Genres: Picture Books, Historical Fiction, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 23, 2000

About the author

Emily Arnold McCully received the Caldecott Medal for Mirette on the High Wire. The illustrator of more than 40 books for young readers, she divides her time between Chatham, New York, and New York City.

Reviews

[emyrose8 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice little story including a bunch of history from the immigration era... boats, Ellis Island. Note- a fictional story inspired by the real life Blondin. I wish there had been an author’s note about Blondin... on the back flap she says he had to not only ‘contend with an impostor, but with sabotage as well.’

[Chak · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like this as much as Mirette on the high wire because it involved a dastardly villain that was trying to at best, discredit, at worst, KILL Bellini and Mirette. Also, there was a side story of a boy whose parents had died and he was all alone and had nowhere to go, and I just think that's a little too hardcore for the 4-7 age range.

[Erika · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of Mirette and Bellini crossing Niagara Fall was very enjoyable. I love how the book gave a small inside look to the immigration era. Ellis Island was not a place that people looked forward to going to. I loved the scene when Jakob saw someone cut the guy wire. It gave the story I heart dropping sense of what is going to happen next. This was different from reading Mirette on the High Wire. This story had more fun and excitement as the basis of a story. As usual Emily Arnold McCully illustrations are very well done. I could read books with her illustrations all day long every day. Her illustrations are so detailed and vibrant that the reader would be able to understand what was happening in the story even if there was no words.

[FM Family · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was enjoyable, and I would say more exciting and full of intrigue than the 2nd in the series, but I still feel like the first is strongest. Mirette and Bellini take a ship across the Atlantic to walk Niagara falls, and meet a young orphan named Jakob travelling alone who becomes their assistant. My 3.5 year old enjoyed it greatly, as she has all the Mirette and Bellini stories, but I was a bit cagey in terms of how I read the parts about Jakob and his dead parents. Love these stories and the illustrations too.

[Madison Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre: Historical Fiction
Grade Level: K-2

This was such a sweet story of adventure and friendship! I really loved the references to American immigration and the historical aspects of the story. It would be good to use in the classroom to discuss immigration and even Niagara Falls.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy this series. Mirette and Bellini are such likeable characters. I liked the boy they added who found out the antagonist was cheating. The pictures seem very French impressionistic, which is appropriate.

[Breighton · Rating 5 out of 5]

grade: 1
genre: contemporary realistic
I loved this book! It was suspenseful, fun, and I thought the friendship was integrated into the story well.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book we are taken on several different thought provoking adventures. We begin with discovering an adventure across the sea on a classic steam ship, and what life was like on these ships. At the same time we are introduced to the main characters who are based in part on real life people from the period. Once in America Mirette and Bellini are set to go on a death defying journey to cross Niagara Falls on a tight rope. While on the ship they meet and befriend a boy who is an orphan traveling to the United States to meet up with his uncle. Once in the United States we discover what life may have been like for individuals coming to Ellis Island which is a conversation starter for young children in itself. Along the way we find out about the opportunities America had at the time, and what loyalty and friendship can be. This book would be appropriate for pre-k thru 3rd, it falls under the Historical Fiction genre. In my classroom we used this book to discuss what life would have been like for people coming to American and reaching Ellis Island, also we opened up our experience to Niagara Falls and began to study what it was as well as take a virtual field trip. This was a WOW book for me because there were so many teachable lessons in one story. It's a story that over time could be used to teach and discuss many and teach about many different topics.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful paintings (especially of Niagara Falls, New York City harbor and the SS Magnifique on the Atlantic crossing) as the personality, skill and character of the two tightrope walkers and their young friend Jakob shine through.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book!

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bellini and Mirette cross the wire at Niagara Fall and Jakob spies that Patch has cheated. His uncle finds Jakob. Bellini is ready to return to Paris.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

So-so story, so-so art, but a perfect book for our mini-unit on Niagara Falls. Would also be a refreshing take on immigration books if students are tired of the same old Ellis Island stories.

[Bree · Rating 3 out of 5]

Notes:
an adventure story for sure (deals with cheating and attempted murder); illustrations are nicely done; Ellis Island history

[Miguel · Rating 2 out of 5]

We loved the first Mirette. This one seems unedited.