Overview

Illusionist, escape artist, movie star, aviator, and spy-Harry Houdini was all these and an international celebrity and the world's most famous magician. This fascinating biography looks at all the facets of Houdini's amazing life and includes 21 magic tricks and illusions for a hands-on learning experience. Children will be inspired by this Jewish immigrant who grew up in poverty and, through perseverance and hard work, went on to become one of the most popular and successful entertainers of all time. Houdini was an artist who created his acts carefully, practicing them for years in some cases. He performed such seemingly impossible stunts as escaping several sets of handcuffs and ropes after jumping off a bridge into a flowing river. Kids will learn how he devised his most legendary stunts and will also learn the science and logic behind many of Houdini's acts including his famous milk can escape. Kids can amaze their family and friends with these simple, entertaining, and fun tricks and illusions: Stepping through an index card Performing an odd number trick Making a coin appear Mind reading with a secret code Making a magic box Lifting a person with one hand Making a talking board And much more

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9781556527821

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Reviews

""A very comprehensive biography"" -- Publishers Weekly ""A wealth of detailed information on ... Houdini."" -- Kirkus Reviews ""Reluctant readers (as well as budding troublemakers) will flock to this biography/handbook hybrid ...[Carlson's)]snappy writing gives it new life ... enlivened with period photographs ... this is one book that will magically vanish from shelves."" --Booklist ""The perfect introduction to the life of a celebrated magician."" -- Curriculum Review ""Thoroughly entertaining biography."" --magic-books.blogspot.com ""A very comprehensive biography."" --Virginian-Pilot ""When you get Harry Houdini for Kids and give it to your young prestidigitator, you know you'll be conjuring up a good time (Carlson) gives kids a thorough overview kids will enjoy this book, as will an adult fan of illusion or circus lore."" --parumphvalleytimes.com ""The man who never ceases to fascinate comes to life in the pages of this in-depth look at his amazing life and magicc"" --About.com Tweens

Harry Houdini may be the most famous magician ever. He began his career working as a sideshow act in carnivals but, by virtue of talent, study and very hard work, elevated his craft to an art, making his name a household word. A few of his more clever illusions have never been fully explained; when he died at age 52 in 1927, he took many of his secrets to the grave. This biography includes a wealth of detailed information on both Houdini and a wide variety of only marginally related subjects. Page-long text boxes include biographies of the Wright brothers, Jack London and Theodore Roosevelt, and a description of the rambling Winchester Mansion. Although period photographs and advertisements add interest, the narrative is, unfortunately, often repetitive, sometimes almost word for word. The cover promises 21 Magic Tricks and Illusions, but some of those are how to build a box kite, a recipe and an explanation of how to measure volume displacement of solids in water. An editor's magic would have benefited this average effort. (further reading, source list, index) (Nonfiction. 10 & up) (Kirkus Reviews)

When you get Harry Houdini for Kids and give it to your young prestidigitator, you know you'll be conjuring up a good time...(Carlson) gives kids a thorough overview ...kids will enjoy this book, as will an adult fan of illusion or circus lore. --parumphvalleytimes.com

Author Information

Laurie Carlson is the author of Classical Kids, Colonial Kids, Days of Knights and Damsels,Green Thumbs, Kids Camp!, More ThanMoccasins, Thomas Edison for Kids, and Westward Ho!Sheis a professorat Western Oregon University.

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