The Kite That Bridged Two Nations

Homan Walsh and the First Niagara Suspension Bridge

On a cold winter’s day in Niagara Falls in 1848, Homan Walsh launched his homemade kite, Union, into the air, and made history. In a contest promoted by bridge engineer Charles Ellet Jr. His kite string reached across an 800-foot chasm above the dangerous Whirlpool Rapids and became the first line for the first suspension bridge over the Niagara River. This true story is one of how a boy was able to persist against rivals, time, and harsh elements, in his pursuit of creating a union between America and Canada.

“Told in poetic free verse, the book details the young narrator’s emotional journey as he prepared for the engineer-sponsored contest by making a kite he named “Union.” The boy’s account is filled with robust scientific observation and inquiry. The rich language and the evocative oil paintings make these subjects of history and civil engineering come alive. The back matter is particularly helpful in unraveling the fact from the fiction. For libraries looking to strengthen STEM-related units on engineering and 19th-century New York history, this is the perfect match.”

- School Library Journal

“Historical facts and lyrical prose weave the story of one boy’s determination. . . Its high quality, fully detailed and documented support materials, as well as content available online make this a valuable addition to any collection.”

- Library Media Connection

“ O’Neill recreates Walsh’s feat . . . with a rhythmic cadence that will be a pleasure for reading aloud.”

- Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Alexis O’Neill, the author of The Recess Queen and other books, loves kids, cats, chocolate, country music, her husband, libraries, crafts, and ukuleles. She is a popular presenter, school visit expert, and school library advocate.

alexisoneill.com

“. . I marveled at [O’Neill’s] meticulous research and attention to detail. The free verse she chose to use in the picture book, along with having an older Walsh as narrator looking back on this historic event from his childhood, made it very accessible. I think that’s a big part of what makes this nonfiction story come alive for readers.”

- Good Reads with Ronna

“O’Neill’s spare text communicates both grandeur and dignity. 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.”

- Booklist