*Mirette & Bellini Cross Niagara Falls (2000)

 I am delighted that Emily Arnald McCully has a trilogy about Mirette. Mirette & Bellini Cross Niagara Falls (2000) is the third book in this series. The pair are so famous now that they are invited to America. They travel with the wealthy on a steamship that also transports less fortunate travelers below deck. Mirette and Bellini befriend a young boy named Jakob. This generous gesture benefits everyone because Jakob calls out a saboteur. In the end, Jakob's uncle appears and gives him a home. McCully's paintings have energy and sincerity.  I love how she explains the mechanics and the psychology of walking a wire in each of her stories. A closer reading led me to understand the wire as a representation of freedom.