Mirette on the High Wire (1992) Parents Guide: Is the book OK for kids?

Name: Mirette on the High Wire
Rating: 3.9 (8 reviews)
Author: Emily Arnold McCully

Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language

Mirette learns tightrope walking from Monsieur Bellini, a guest in her mother's boarding house, not knowing that he is a celebrated tightrope artist who has withdrawn from performing because of fear.

Picture Book • 1992 • 32 pages • Lexile AD 560L (adult-directed content — roughly grades 2–3 reading difficulty)

by Emily Arnold McCully

3.9

Average rating by Bontent members

Age

This Caldecott Medal-winning picture book tells the story of Mirette, a young girl working at her mother's boarding house who learns the art of wire-walking from a master performer. The book is an gentle, inspiring tale of bravery and friendship, with very mild peril as characters navigate heights. It is perfectly suited for children ages 5-9 who enjoy historical settings and stories about overcoming fear.

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Is Mirette on the High Wire appropriate for kids?

Content severity in Mirette on the High Wire

Sex None 0/10

Violence Moderate 3/10

Language None 0/10

Substances None 0/10

Themes Mild 2/10

What happens in Mirette on the High Wire, moment by moment

p. 4 🔥 Mature Themes 1/10
p. 6 🔥 Mature Themes 1/10
p. 8 🔥 Mature Themes 1/10

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Sex and nudity in Mirette on the High Wire

There is zero sexual content or romantic subplots present in this story. The narrative focuses entirely on the professional and platonic bond between a young girl and her mentor. No physical intimacy or suggestive themes occur throughout the book. Even the boarders at the house interact in a strictly professional manner without any flirtation. The focus remains on the discipline of the circus arts and the beauty of performance.

Violence and gore in Mirette on the High Wire

Very mild peril is the only form of conflict, as the story revolves around the inherent dangers of tightrope walking. Mirette experiences several falls while practicing her balance, though she remains uninjured and perseveres. The climactic scene features a moment of psychological terror where Bellini freezes high above a street, creating a sense of height-based tension. There are no acts of aggression, fighting, or physical harm depicted between characters. The stakes are purely related to the risk of falling…

Language in Mirette on the High Wire

The prose is clean and entirely appropriate for young children, containing no profanity or coarse language. The dialogue is polite and historical in tone, reflecting the respectful relationship between characters. Parents can feel confident that the vocabulary is safe for the intended age group. The most intense emotional language involves Bellini expressing his internal dread and fear of the wire. There is no name-calling or contemporary slang used in the text.

Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Mirette on the High Wire

None. The setting is a boarding house for performers, but there are no depictions of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs. Even though the setting is late 19th-century Paris, a time and place often associated with cafés, the book avoids these elements entirely. The characters are shown eating meals and drinking water or tea. The focus is maintained on the physical health and sobriety required for athletic performance.

Mature themes in Mirette on the High Wire

The book explores themes of apprenticeship, overcoming phobias, and the importance of persistence. It focuses on the emotional bond between a mentor and a student as they navigate the fear of failure. Mirette demonstrates remarkable grit as she practices through failure, while Bellini represents the struggle of a master facing psychological hurdles. The story highlights how mutual support can help individuals conquer deep-seated anxieties. It is an uplifting tale about finding one's passion and the courage to…

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mirette on the High Wire appropriate for kids?

Bontent's parent guide suggests Mirette on the High Wire is best for ages 6+. This Caldecott Medal-winning picture book tells the story of Mirette, a young girl working at her mother's boarding house who learns the art of wire-walking from a master performer. The book is an gentle, inspiring tale…

What age rating does Mirette on the High Wire have?

Books don't carry official age ratings. Mirette on the High Wire is published for a Picture Book audience, and Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 6+.

What reading level is Mirette on the High Wire?

Mirette on the High Wire is 32 pages and its reading level is Lexile AD 560L (adult-directed content — roughly grades 2–3 reading difficulty). Bontent recommends it for ages 6+.

What is Mirette on the High Wire about?

Is there sex or nudity in Mirette on the High Wire?

How violent is Mirette on the High Wire?

Is the language in Mirette on the High Wire appropriate for kids?

Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking depicted in Mirette on the High Wire?

What mature themes appear in Mirette on the High Wire?

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