by Brian Selznick
Knopf, 1991 (Reissued in 2008)
74 pages
Fiction
Summary in a Sentence:
A chance encounter with Harry Houdini leaves a small boy in possession of a mysterious box--one that might hold the secrets to the greatest magic tricks ever performed.
Thoughts:
If you've never read anything written or illustrated by Brian Selznick, please go remedy this immediately! I'm even providing a link to his website so you can see his complete bibliography. Go. Now.I've long been fascinated with magicians of the early 1900s, and I love Selznick's work, so reading this book was so exciting for me. The story focuses on Victor, a little boy who is obsessed with Houdini and magic escapes. After a few failed attempts of holding his breath in the bathtub and walking through walls, Victor finally meets Houdini in the train station and asks the famous magician how he does it. Selznick's pencil illustrations are amazingly rich in detail and suit the book's subject perfectly. He also includes extensive endnotes that include photographs, sketches, and information about Selznick's research.
You Might Also Like:
- Escape! The Story of the Great Houdini by Sid Fleischman
- Houdini: The Handcuff King by Jason Lutes
- Harry Houdini: Death-Defying Showman by Rita Mullin
Other Reviews:
Young Readers | Through the Looking Glass
