Harry Houdini (the First Names Series) - Softcover

Poskitt, Kjartan

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1419740903 ISBN 13: 9781419740909

Publisher: Harry N. Abrams, 2020

Synopsis

Discover the man behind the magic and see how Houdini pulled off his most daring escapes

Before Harry Houdini (1874-1926) became the greatest magician in the world, he was just little Ehrich Weisz, a Hungarian-born immigrant who moved to America with his family and performed stage tricks for a little extra cash. He started off with card tricks and then eventually began performing the escape acts that would make him famous. Known for his daring and death-defying illusions, he would do some of the greatest tricks ever: escaping from a milk can, being buried alive, and being locked inside a crate and thrown into a river. He conquered each of these seemingly impossible feats and showed the world the power of a little magic. Fun, fast-paced, and highly illustrated, Harry Houdini tells the story of the curious boy who became the world's greatest magician and reveals how Houdini did some of his most stunning escapes. It includes a timeline, glossary, and index.

About this title

Review:

**STARRED REVIEW**
"In line with the series premise and overall informal tone, the author refers to him throughout as "Harry" (his stage name). Andrew Prentice does likewise for his free-spirited subject in the co-published Amelia Earhart (illustrated by Mike Smith), taking "Amelia" (or, in childhood chapters, "Millie") from homemade backyard roller coaster to final disappearance . . . Together with its companion, stimulating portraits of two colorful, driven historical figures."--Kirkus Reviews

"This informative biography is a chatty and engaging read for the uninitiated as well as for those who thought they knew everything about one of the greatest magicians of all time."--Booklist

"A lighthearted and easy look at some of the world's most famous celebrities . . . The illustrations may prove to be comforting for fiction readers who enjoy diary style series like Jeff Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Rachel Renée Russell's Dork Diaries."--School Library Journal

About the Author:

Kjartan Poskitt is an award-winning author who has written more than 80 children's books. He lives in York, England, with his wife, four daughters, and a whole array of musical instruments. Geraint Ford is an illustrator who has worked on everything from magazines, to comics, to children's books. He lives in England.

About this edition

• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
• Publication date: 2020
• ISBN 10: 1419740903
• ISBN 13: 9781419740909
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 176
• Illustrator: Ford Geraint