I, Houdini [Library Binding]

Lynne Reid Banks (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 13, 2003 | Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

One family’s household has been in a state of disarray because of one small furry problem. Meet Houdini, an extraordinarily brilliant escapologist. No, not that Houdini. This one is a hamster. He can escape from anything–a cage or the clutches of a mean cat. While on his escapades he causes all kinds of trouble from chewing through wires to causing a flood. But Houdini thinks it’s all worth it, because he is desperate to explore the great outdoors.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A winning, funny animal story; the broad appeal of its subject combined with its demanding style makes it especially appropriate for reading out loud.”–Kirkus Reviews, Starred

“Houdini’s adventures are amusing, and his vanity and puzzlement over the curious ways of humans endow him with a memorable and quirky personality.”–The Horn Book Magazine

“The author . . . has slipped into the hide of the hamster and seems to understand these small creatures completely and creates a tantalizing journey. This is pure fun and full of slapstick exaggeration. . . . There are dramatic moments and cliffhangers, but since this hamster’s name is Houdini, readers can count on a grand finale.”–Publishers Weekly on I, Houdini

From the Inside Flap

One family?s household has been in a state of disarray because of one small furry problem. Meet Houdini, an extraordinarily brilliant escapologist. No, not that Houdini. This one is a hamster. He can escape from anything?a cage or the clutches of a mean cat. While on his escapades he causes all kinds of trouble from chewing through wires to causing a flood. But Houdini thinks it?s all worth it, because he is desperate to explore the great outdoors.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Library Binding: 128 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (May 13, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385901186
• ISBN-13: 978-0385901185
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 6.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,705,000 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Funny yet thoughtful book., June 17, 2004

By 

KidsReads (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I, Houdini (Paperback)

There is no doubt that Houdini is a most unusual creature, for this is a hamster with an advanced vocabulary and a terribly immodest opinion of his own superior brain power. Houdini believes without question that hamsters are a higher form of life than humans. He is, however, a kindhearted creature (generally speaking) and tolerates the bumbling ways of humans well enough.

What is hard for him to tolerate is their tendency to want to lock him up in a cage. If there is anything Houdini does not like, it is to be locked up. It is in fact his amazing ability to escape his cage that got him his name. Houdini is an escapologist of the very highest order.

Houdini also tends to reap chaos in his wake, which makes him most unpopular with the father of the boys who own him. Father becomes enraged when Houdini first chews electrical wire, carpeting and a door, and then finally causes a flood in the kitchen. It is all too much. Even Houdini has to admit that Father has just cause to be upset. So Houdini decides to stay with a friend for a while, until Father has time to cool off. Ben has a hamster called Oggi, a female who humiliates Houdini dreadfully. Houdini is soon on the loose and makes the most amazing discovery --- he finds himself in the great Outside.

Never in his wildest dreams did Houdini imagine that the great Outside would be so wonderful. What he comes to learn is that Outside is also terribly dangerous and unpredictable. In fact, he could very easily become someone's lunch or dinner out there.

In this funny yet thoughtful book, Lynne Reid Banks takes us into the mind, and heart, of a brilliant and delightful character who has flaws just like the rest of us. What is endearing about Houdini is that he is willing to admit his imperfections and mistakes. Using rich and complex language, the author never talks down to her readers but expects them to know what she means and understand what her wonderful, often grandiose hamster is saying. We cannot help but grow fond of this ambitious rodent, who discovers that there is a power far greater than even his own will to escape from every cage he is put into.

--- Reviewed by Marya Jansen-Gruber ([e-mail]) of Through The Looking Glass Book Review (www.lookingglassreview.com)

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Animal-Narration for Kids of All Ages, March 10, 2004

By 

Erika Sorocco (Southern California, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: I, Houdini (Paperback)

Houdini is a golden hamster with a very unusual name. You see, who was named after "the" Houdini. You know, the magician. As Houdini the Hamster is also an amazing escape artist, just like his namesake. Houdini was born with amazing talents for escaping anything imaginable. No matter how confining it appeared to be. Houdini can wiggle, chew, and squeeze himself out of any place. Pants pockets, pianos, refrigerators. You name it, and he'll be able to escape from it. In fact, thanks to Houdini's many escapades in escaping, he has created many disasters throughout his owner's home. Floods, chewed carpets and telephone wires, etc. But this time, Houdini is set on escaping to the biggest place ever. The great outdoors. And knowing him, he'll be able to accomplish this amazing feat.

I, HOUDINI is an exciting animal-narrated story filled with mystery, adventure, and lots of destruction. Lynne Reid Banks created an amazing work of children's literature when writing I, HOUDINI, as she put herself in the place of a hamster, and described all of the surroundings she experienced, and the things that she saw. Houdini is an enjoyable character, who's witty personality, and snappy commentary with have all readers, young and old laughing out loud at his crazy antics. A must have book for all. Especially for those who enjoyed E.B. White's STUART LITTLE and Beverly Cleary's THE MOUSE AND THE MOTORCYCLE. A must have.

Erika Sorocco

2.0 out of 5 stars Redundant, November 22, 2011

By 

reading mom - See all my reviews

This review is from: I, Houdini (Paperback)

Sorry but this book was difficult to finish reading. My son would laugh and say..."is it almost over...let me guess, Houdini escapes..". We felt that the plot was redundant. On a positive note, the book is good for expanding your vocabulary.