I, Houdini: The Amazing Story of an Escape-Artist Hamster (Paperback)

by Lynne Reid Banks (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
An errant hamster and his quest for freedom are the subject of Banks's fast-paced story. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

You may think Houdini is a strange name for a hamster, but if you've ever heard of the late Great Houdini, the most amazing escape-artist of all time, you'll understand how I got my name. I'm proud to say that there hasn't been a cage built that can hold me. I can climb, dive, wriggle, squeeze, or gnaw my way out of any prison they came up with. I have to admit that sometimes freedom leads to a bit of trouble--like getting cornered by the cat, ending up in the dog's mouth, or being trapped in the freezing cold of a dark refrigerator. But I won't be stopped! With a whole big world out there to explore, who wants to be held prisoner in a hamster cage?

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: HarperTrophy (March 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380706490
• ISBN-13: 978-0380706495
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #687,579 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Read Together Book, February 20, 2000

By	Patricia D. Brown "pdbrsf" (Rancho Santa Fe, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

My son had to read this book for school (4th grade). We read it together; alternating who read each paragraph. Much to my surprise I was captivated by the adventures of Houdini the Hamster (couldn't wait to get back to the book at night wondering what was going to happen next) and delighted by the writing of the author. I am always trying to show my children that they will learn to write well by reading a well written book ---and this certainly sets a great example that kids can relate to. Lots of new words for them to learn. It's also a great book to tie down a child that normally doesn't like to sit and read and would rather be running around playing. This book was as satisfying to read, from an adult's point of view, as many of the R. Dahl children's books.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars TERRIFIC I don't think a story could get any better., March 30, 1999

By	Victor Scheff ([e-mail]) (Calif) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I, Houdini (Paperback)

Actually I've heard the audio tape which is a reading of the book. It is about as good as you can get. My daughter has listened to parts of it night after night for weeks as a bedtime story.

The character of the hamster is absolutely wonderful. He is very intelligent and concerned about learning, a hard worker at developing the skills necessary for his "profession". He is philosophical and gives due consideration to his exploits with meticulious honesty and modesty despite his obvious enjoyment of posessing intellectual abilities far beyond those of normal hamsters. How the author got such a sophisticated character into such a fun story out to be the subject of a Phd. Thesis. Drama, humor, cute hamster stuff, life and death struggles as he explores the world, learns valuable lessons,develops a conscience, creates a philosophy of hamsterdom, finds religion,falls in love (hamster style), searches for his wild animal roots and more and more.

My goodness there is so much and it's all such FUN, nothing particulary serious, nothing scary, just a great story about a hamster who, the truth be told, has a better, more balanced, more thoughtful and more enjoyable personality than most of the people that I know.

The author's reading is perfect. Get the book and the tapes. You'll love 'em and so will your children.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I, Houdini the amazing story of an escape artist hamster, April 9, 2000

By A Customer

My name is Ashley and I am sixth grader from New York. I am doing a book review on I, Houdini by Lynne Reid Banks. The main character Houdini, is a hamster. Houdini wants to experience life outside his cage. Freedom has Houdini experiencing many dangers and adventures like getting cornered by a cat and ending up in a dog's mouth.

I feel this book was easy to read and enjoyable. The reason why is because it is a fast moving book and there is a lot of action in it. Houdini's troubles causes the reader to keep flipping the pages to find out what happens to Houdini. When I read that Houdini ran straight into a dog's mouth I wanted to see what happened to him.

I recommend this book to kids who like reading stories about animals. Anyone who had a hamster would enjoy reading the adventures of Houdini. They could relate to how Houdini escapes from being caged. I feel both girls and boys between the ages of 9-13 would like reading this story. You may think Houdini is a strange name for a hamster but after reading this book you will understand how he got his name.