Harry Houdini: A Magical Life (Snapshots: Images of People and Places in History) [Paperback]

Elizabeth MacLeod (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Snapshots: Images of People and Places in History

Harry Houdini is still the world's most famous magician -- thanks to his inventive tricks, death-defying stunts and incredible talent for publicity. He claimed he could escape from anything! The immigrant son of a rabbi, Harry overcame grueling poverty to become a one-man phenomenon, wowing audiences around the world. Harry happily hung upside down from skyscrapers, leapt into rivers in chains and survived in an airless coffin -- but driving a car made him nervous. He also starred in six Hollywood movies, some still available on video. This biography in the Snapshots: Images of People and Places in History series introduces young readers to the multitalented, mysterious and contradictory man behind the tricks, escapes and dangerous feats.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6-Biographies about Houdini are plentiful, but a plethora of photos, illustrations, and poster reproductions in black and white and in color gives this title extra life. Two-page chapters follow him from his childhood in Budapest through his difficult growing-up years and into his amazingly successful career as a magician. MacLeod does a nice job of pointing out that Houdini's stories of his life did not always mesh with reality as the proud man was prone to stretching the truth and making himself look grand. The writing is clear and well organized with plenty of information to intrigue and even surprise readers. For those looking for further information, try Vicki Cobb's Harry Houdini (DK, 2005). Younger readers may enjoy Kathleen Krull's picture-book Houdini (Walker, 2005).-Deanna Romriell, Salt Lake City Library, UT
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 4-6. The world's best-known magician began performing as an acrobat in his neighborhood at the age of nine to make money desperately needed by his family. MacLeod provides a straightforward history of her colorful subject, recognizing that Houdini often created stories about his life, and she provides details that separate fact from the magician's fictions. Reproduced images of photos, handbills, and advertisements bring the text on each double-page spread to life, showing Harry's penchant for publicity and his most famous escapes. Middle-grade readers interested in Houdini and magic will be entertained and enlightened by this well-organized entry in the ongoing Snapshots: Images of People and Places in History series; a chronology and further resources are appended. For slightly younger readers, suggest Kathleen Krull's Houdini (2005). Karen Hutt
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Kids Can Press (September 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1553377702
• ISBN-13: 978-1553377702
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,364,199 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for the Classroom Library, March 1, 2009

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J. E. Stephens "Jeanne" (Florida) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Harry Houdini: A Magical Life (Snapshots: Images of People and Places in History) (Paperback)

I teach 6th grade reading. This book is perfect for the classroom library. Students need to read a variety of non-fiction. I have found that most students love reading biographies. This is a must buy for the classroom.

5.0 out of 5 stars Harry Houdini: A Magical Life, August 6, 2007

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Jewish Book World Magazine (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Harry Houdini: A Magical Life (Snapshots: Images of People and Places in History) (Paperback)

Born Ehrich Weiss in Budapest, Hugary 1874, Harry Houdini was the poor immigrant son of a rabbi.
Due to his "death defying stunts" which ranged from making an elephant disappear to his "Milk Can Escape"
and bigger than life theatrics, Houdini has gone down in history as the world's most famous magician. With
a legacy of amazing escapes and illusions and featured in six Hollywood films magicians today still ponder over his tricks. As a young boy of four Harry immigrated with his family to the United States. When the family moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Harry's father took him to see the gruesome entertainer, Dr. Lynn, whose final act was to dismember a man and then put him back together again. At age six, young Harry was hooked for life and devoted the rest of his life finding ways to amaze an audience in the art of illusion. In his own words, Houdini comments, " Never try to fool children. They expect nothing and therefore see everything." Harry was full of adventure and fun and was always young at heart; with this rule of thumb; he kept the mind of a child close at hand and his magic always remained a mystery as well as delightful entertainment for the
whole family. This tile, the seventh of the "Snapshot Biography series" presents an up-close, personalized view of the life of a great man who has changed the face of magic. Large, oversized illustrations, many black and white photographs, a detailed timeline, a great index, and a list of actual places to find out more about Houdini will engage youngsters and make this a sure winner. For ages 8-13.