Saving Houdini

by Michael Redhill

FINALIST FOR THE SILVER BIRCH AWARD Dashiel Woolf should be ecstatic for the chance to meet his hero, the Great Houdini, not long before the famous magician’s untimely death in 1926. But Dash is far more concerned about getting home―because home is 85 years in the future. Sent back in time through a magic trick gone terribly wrong, Dash and his new friend, Walt―a known troublemaker―hatch a plan to return Dash to the present day. But if they are successful, they might prevent the Great Houdini from taking part in the event that ended his life, possibly changing history forever . . . “Genuinely entertaining in a way that few Canadian historical novels are. . . . It is a wild and fun romp and will keep almost any reader turning the pages to see how Dash will get home. Highly Recommended.” ― CM MAGAZINE “The writing is smooth, the historic setting compelling, the magic engaging and the plot twists complex. . . . A tantalizing book that will appeal to devotees of Harry Potter, mystery lovers and Redhill fans who will thoroughly enjoy seeing his lighter side.” ―NATIONAL READING CAMPAIGN “A lively, entertaining read, well paced and enjoyable, with nary a hint of weepiness.” ― MONTREAL GAZETTE

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Fiction, Canada, Middle Grade, Fantasy, Young Adult

288 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2014

About the author

Aka Inger Ash Wolfe.

Michael Redhill is an American-born Canadian poet, playwright and novelist.

Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Redhill was raised in the metropolitan Toronto, Ontario area. He pursued one year of study at Indiana University, and then returned to Canada, completing his education at York University and the University of Toronto. He was on the editorial board of Coach House Press from 1993 to 1996, and is currently the publisher and editor of the Canadian literary magazine Brick.

His play, Building Jerusalem, depicts a meeting between Karl Pearson, Augusta Stowe-Gullen, Adelaide Hoodless, and Silas Tertius Rand on New Year's Eve night just prior to the 20th century.

Reviews

[Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did enjoy this book. I think it was a fun time traveling story about a magic trick gone wrong which sent this young boy named Dash back in time about 85 years or so. He got to meet the great Houdini which I found to be very interesting! I wish there had been more about Houdini himself and his personal life. It was a different read then what I have been reading and was quite enjoyable. You're along the ride with Dash, who while being sent back in time has to figure out how the heck to get back to 2011 where he belongs. So he needs to find this particular magician that invented the magic trick, along with wanting to save Houdini from his early death. And also hope to get back with the help of others that he meets along the way!

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Bloom the Beguiler” – that “great mystifier” – is performing at the Canon theater and Dashiel Woolfe is excited to be attending the show. The show commemorates the 85th anniversary of Harry Houdini’s death. Dash was surprised that his mom managed to snag tickets since the show usually sold out a year in advance. However, when it came time for the finale, “The Great Soap Bubble Vanish”, Dash was really hoping he would not be the one picked to go up on stage … of course, he was chosen. Dashiel had his own reasons for not wanting to be up on stage but had he known the history of the “Soap Bubble Vanish” he would have been even more apprehensive. It was only performed once before and that night was never spoken of again. Dash soon enough found out why when the last thing he remembered was standing inside a giant soap bubble and now he was alone on the stage … in 1926. The first thing he did was throw up!

How would he get back to 2011?

With the help of a new friend, a washed up magician and, maybe, Harry Houdini himself they may be able to recreate the trick and get him home. Maybe? To make that happen Dash and his friend Walter need to get from Toronto to Montreal, convince Houdini that his “time travel” story is true and build the machine for the soap bubble. And, as only Dash knew, Houdini’s death loomed only a couple of days away. Simple, right? What if Dash could save Houdini too? Quite the page turning adventure ensues.

Being a bit of a sucker for things “Houdini” I picked up this book in my recent “use up my gift card” book-shopping spree. It’s written for young readers and I can certainly see them becoming quickly caught up in this well written and entertaining story. I certainly was. There is edge of your seat suspense, the conundrum of time travel, some breath stopping escapades, humor and of course, a little magic thrown in every now and then.

I think this book would definitely appeal to ‘tween readers of both genders but particularly boys. The (mis)adventures that Dash and Walter get up to would certainly make a young man’s imagination run wild as well as tickle that pre-teen funny bone. Mr. Redhill did an admirable job of describing the differences between 2011 Toronto and the same city in 1926. “Saving Houdini” also contains a great message about friendship between it’s pages.

If you have a young (or young at heart) reader who likes adventure stories this would make a wonderful gift.

[Ken Dowell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two 11 year-olds on an adventure that coincides with Harry Houdini’s last tour. The odd thing is that one of them turned 11 in 2011 and the other turned 11 in 1926. That only makes sense within the context of the magic that is a part of this story.

Aside from the plot line that requires some suspension of belief in the efficacy of time, this is a work of historical fiction that creates a picture of life in both Toronto and Montreal in the 1920’s. It also provides a convincing portrait of Houdini and raises the somewhat mysterious circumstances of his death.

I recently saw The llusionists on Broadway and spent a long weekend in Toronto, both of which added to my interest in this book. It’s a fast-paced story and a quick read. Not sure if it was marketed as young adult fiction, but that’s probably the shelf it belongs on. While it’s been a long time since anyone accused me of being a young adult, I enjoyed it nonetheless.

[Noor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saving Houdini is a book about friendship and trust. The friendship shared between these two characters was amazing because one of the characters had to help another with an extravagant task without his parents knowing, and he could have been caught and been in a lot of trouble, but he risked everything to help his friend which I loved because their friendship is what helps solve the problem in the end. Also, the trust between the characters is amazing because all the characters had to trust that the boy that arrived there was telling the truth, and they were all helping him but only because they trusted him so it showed a big amount of trust shared between the characters.

The boy that needed all that trust, an important friendship with one of the characters and also is the main character is Dashiel Woolf or as he likes to be called, Dash. Dash faces a dilemma when he gets hurtled back to the year 1926, and the only way to solve it is to enlist help in very famous magicians that could learn the trick, and could hopefully send him back. Dash wouldn’t be able to accomplish any of that if his new best friend, Walter Gibson didn’t help him get the magicians to help. Saving Houdini also had, you guessed it, Harry Houdini! He was one of the magicians that helped dash get back to his time. Finally, Herman Blumenthal was the other magician that helped dash get back to his time since Herman’s great-grandson Bloom, was the one to mess everything up in the first place.

I would say that the intended audience for this book are people who enjoy reading about magic tricks, a mystery at every turn and famous magicians. The book has some very baffling words in it, so I would say that you would have to be 8 and over to fully understand the story and the book always adds twists and turns so if you don’t pay attention on 1 page, you will be confused with the next chapters so you’d need to have a sharp mind and you’d have to pay a lot of attention to the book.

This book could be a little similar to others like Percy Jackson because it involves magic but then again, most of the magic in Saving Houdini were just tricks. It could also be similar to “the vanishing coin” “ The magic misfits” and so forth.

Personally, I recommend the book. This is because the trust and friendship shared between the characters is amazing and beautiful. Also, the storyline is incredibly complex and intriguing so it keeps the characters hooked on. He described the places very well so that the readers would be able to visualize. Finally, the author included a famous magician, you guessed it, Harry Houdini! It’s pretty wonderful how he portrayed him in a kind manner and a person that helped others like Dash and Walt so that was amazing! In conclusion, this is why I recommend the book Saving Houdini.

[Devin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book Saving Houdini was a Interesting, Exciting and emotional book because Dash watches Bloom the magician who was at the show performing a magic trick called the Soap Bubble Vanish trick. Bloom chose a volunteer from the audience and so he chose Dash to come on stage. Suddenly when the trick was perform by Bloom. Dash had woken up in the year 1926.


Later on in the book Dash saw a barbershop. He went in the barber shop and met a kid named Walter Gibson and his dad Mr. Gibson. Walt was a mean kid at first because he was pushing and shoving Dash around. Dash lies to one of the barbers that he is taking a haircut and he will pay the quarter the next day, but he never did. The problem is that Dash is stuck in 1926 and is trying to figure out a way to get back to the present.


The villain/bad guy could possibly be Sol Jacobson because Sol Jacobson he headlocks Walt and violent things to him. It ended up Walt passing out. Blumenthal wanted to bring Walt back to his hotel, but Sol didn’t allow Blumenthal to do that. Instead Sol brought him to Houdini’s hotel called the Prince Of Wales.


The victim/good guy in the story is the main character Dash because he got sent to 1926 from a magic trick. When Dash meet Houdini, Dash is helping to save Houdini’s life because he got punched in the stomach and that was how he died. And Houdini was trying to help Dash get back to the present. In the middle of the story Dash and Walt got into the wrong car that Sol Jacobson sent. The car led to their hideout instead of the magic show and they meet a evil lady called Mrs. Alphonsine. She trapped Dash and Walt until Blumenthal came and saved them.


The emotional part of the book is at the end of the book because Dash goes back to the present and finds out Walt died 21 years ago and Dee Dee was Walt’s sister and was still alive, but the funny part was that Walt died and there is another generation of Walt. And so the generation goes on forever. The resolution of the book is Blumenthal learns the trick, but never practiced because he would make someone vanish to the present. And so it would be best if Blumenthal performed the trick at the show. And hope that the trick Blumenthal invented works on Dash. And it did.


My thoughts on the book overall is a good book. The book is good for people who like time travel and adventure.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about Dashiel Woolf who is sent from 2011 to 1926 from a magic trick gone wrong. In 1926 he befriends a kid named Walter Gibson and explains his situation to him. Then with Walt’s help, Dash realizes he needs to find Houdini to help him. When he retells his story to Houdini, he thinks it’s a scam and tells the boys they’ll get picked up by their parents in the morning. On the same night, Dash and Walt get the idea to save Houdini.

The next morning Dash and Walt are delivered to a “facility” for orphaned kids but then their bailed out by Blumenthal who is the grandfather of bloom who was the one that sent Dash to 1926 with the Soap Bubble Vanish. The Soap Bubble Vanish was created by Blumenthal. Then Blumenthal explains to the boys that he discovered how to do the Soap Bubble Vanish and is going to sell it to Houdini. Eventually Dash convinces him not to and to perform it.

Then they all come up with a plan to get Houdini to their show but it doesn’t work. When it’s show-time Blumenthal calls Dash up to the stage. As the magic trick is underway Dash begins to see the people in the crowd fade away, and poof! Now he’s in 2011 standing in front of an audience including his parents. Then he gets off the stage and goes home with his parents. The next day Dash visits Walter’s house in the present day because he lately got an invitation telling him to go there.

While he’s there he finds out that the person who sent him the invitation was Dee Dee, Walt’s younger sister that he met while he was in 1926. She explains to him that Walt pasted away 21 years ago and there’s been 3 generations of Walter Gibson’s. Just then a little boy walked into the room they’re talking in. Dee Dee introduces the little boy to Dash as the third Walter Gibson. Dee Dee then tells Dash that before Blumenthal died he gave Walt the an envelope containing the steps to do the Soap Bubble Vanish to give to Dash. She pulls out the envelope from her dress pocket then hand it to Dash. The End.

Overall this book is good and I recommend it to anyone who likes sci-fi. I rate the book 3 ½ stars.

[Aleshia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Saving Houdini is a book about friendship and magic. It all starts when a kid named Dash gets sent back 85 years to the year 1926, and is now trying to go back by finding a magician that could perfect the trick with the help of his new friend, Walt. He goes through so much trouble, to find the magician that might help him but he can only accomplish this with the help of his new friend Walt.

The main characters in this book are Dashiel Woolf, Walter Gibson are the main characters.
Dashiel Woolf is an 11-year-old boy who liked magic. He is also the boy that gets sent back in time 85 years and is trying to find a way to go back. Walter Gibson Is also an 11-year-old boy who has a little sister and is Dash’s new friend when Dash gets sent back in time. Walter and Dash are very good friends, and Walt is the one that helps Dash by going through a lot of trouble for him.

The book Saving Houdini is intended for a grade 6 to 8 reading level and the book is VERY descriptive. From so far all the novels I have read I don’t think it is similar to any novel.

I personally don't recommend this book to anyone because the author puts so much unneeded parts in it and that just makes the book boring and confusing to read. For example, in the book, The author was talking about meeting someone and the next thing you know there on a train. The author has a great storyline but because he keeps describing every little thing that happens in the book it gets boring and makes the reader feel bored. It makes me feel like the author is doing this to make the book longer as a novel, but this book would be much better as a short story than a novel. That is why I don't really recommend the book Saving Houdini that much.

[Rijaani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saving Houdini is about a boy named Dash who knows a lot about a magician named Blumenthal bloom and his past generations and finally Dash’s parents as a surprise, buy tickets to see Blumenthal’s show in Downtown. Dash was a little nervous that he might get picked to be a volunteer for the magic trick. He sat down and Bloom was going to perform a trick that was once done and invented by his grandfather Houdini.

The strangest thing was after he had performed his trick, a few years later, before bloom was born he had passed away. Houdini never told anyone how his trick was done, but somehow Bloom was going to perform it on this stage the same trick his grandfather once did “ The Soap Bubble Vanish”. When the show started everyone filled the seats in the theatre. Dash and his family were in the seat in the front row. As Dash sat down he began to nervously chew his wine gummies.

When the show started Bloom announced that he would need a volunteer to do the soap bubble vanish. As the crowd yelled “pick me!” all over the place Houdini looked all around and he pointed straight at Dash’s face. Dash went up on to the stage and trembled with every step closer he went to Bloom. Bloom told Dash to place the ring on the left side of the stage, dash stood there and stared at the ring. Bloom asked if Dash was too scared to volunteer for this trick. Dash did want to look like a chicken so he said he was sure that he could do this trick. A lightening buzzed at him and there!

[Clued-in With A Book (Elvina Ulrich) · Rating 3 out of 5]

1920s✔magicians✔time travel✔ ➡ I couldn't resist this book!

This story is about Dashiel Woolf (Dash) an 11 year old boy who was sent back in time (to 1926) through Joseph Bloom's magic trick which has gone terribly wrong. He sought the help of another 11 years old boy named Walter Gibson in helping him  to return to year 2011. The plan: Look for Blumenthal (Joseph Bloom's grandfather) to repeat the magic trick to send Dash back to present day. Along the way, they met Harry Houdini and they try to prevent him from performing in Detroit - the show that ended his life. Can Dash and Walt change history forever?

Though it was an interesting plot, I find this is just a so-so read. It was engaging until halfway, where it was a little bit confusing and rushed. There weren't enough descriptions; was a little bland and I almost DNF this book. But things started to pick up again towards  the end of the story.  Overall, it is still a quick fun read.

[Linda Heggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is great read for upper elementary readers. Magic, time travel and meeting a legend. What would you do if you were standing face-to-face with Houdini before his final night?
I actually had to force myself to put this book down as it was a Sunday night and I needed sleep before work on Monday.

[Camila]

This book was okay, but surprisingly memorable. I remember when I was a kid I read this and then went to see a movie where they mentioned Houdini, and I could not stop smiling because I read this book and knew who that was. Anyway, I remember a lot of scenes even though it's been a long time since I read it, but it was never a favourite of mine.

[Rpaul Tho · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story but felt rushed and silly at times. There were characters and situations that just didn't make sense (why were the police and child welfare in the 20s so hell bent on capturing the two boys?!).

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't enjoyed a book so much for a while. This is a delightful visit of the Danforth neighbourhood mixed with time travel, pre-teen angst, and a deep respect for our history. I was sad when I hit the last page because I wanted MORE! Great for all ages. Thank you Michael!

[Alayna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it was a story that was told in a way that made the book easy, but intriguing after the first chapter. Walter is a very good addition to the story. He makes it more lively on my opinion! ~~ :)

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. I loved the magic trick. I liked Dash. He was pretty heroic

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent choice for young readers.

[Ashley Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my kind of subject matter

[Eye of Sauron · Rating 1 out of 5]

"DON'T TALK TO ME LIKE I'M A KID!" Dash shouted. "I'm almost twelve years old, okay?"

*virtual facepalm*

That quote pretty much sums up my opinion of this book. Not entirely sure why I finished it; I guess I was hoping for some kind of awesome ending, but I was seriously disappointed.

This would be a decent book for a small child to read, but then some of the time-travel nonsense theory would go over their small little heads. Although it is simplistic ... I don't know, maybe some orclings will like it.

Just saying, the whole premise is absurd, the police are depicted to be cartoon caricatures who do nothing but get in the way, and two adult magicians with no experience in any kind of spiritualism or quantum physics are supposed to have simultaneously but separately come up with a magic trick to reverse time travel.

Three strikes, I believe, is one of your human phrases I believe is applicable here.

[Paula · Rating 2 out of 5]

The idea of a kid finding himself sent back in time by a magic trick is fun. The idea of changing the course of history, in this case saving Houdini from his untimely death, is interesting. Not many writers would let the kid pull it off (and no comment here on whether or not he does). But the pleasure in a book is all the many words and pages that get you "there," wherever that may be. And this book was not a pleasure. Too much ink spilled in creating old Toronto, too many vaudeville-era characters who aren't accessible or funny enough to sustain interest, and a story that's hard to follow. I hope Michael Redhill writes another book. I think he's got a good one in him, but this isn't it.

[Countryside Sixes · Rating 4 out of 5]

THIS BOOK IS AMAZING





Saving Houdini was a book about a boy named Dash who went back in time because of a magic trick. He then goes on a adventure with a boy named Walt and they try
to save Houdini from his death. It was a interesting book which had a great story. The story was realistic and it handled time travel well. The ending was great. The boy named Walt (Dash’s friend) was funny and a great character. Houdini himself was a great character too, so was Dash. I think the best part was when Dash met Walt. Anybody who likes magic (not wizards) should like this book.

[Niki · Rating 2 out of 5]

Due to a magic trick, Dash travels back in time and is set on an adventure with his new-found friend, Walt, to try to save Houdini from his early death and to return Dash to his rightful year. Interesting premise, but ultimately falls short. Some parts of the plot were a bit too convoluted to follow readily and, at times, the descriptive language was wasted on incorporating unnecessary historical details. I will admit I am hardly the target audience though, so perhaps this book will be better received by middle grade/YA readers.
Short-listed for the 2016 MYRCA.

[Colette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Step back into 1926 Toronto where 11 year old Dash has been transported by a magic trick. His only hope is to find Houdini who may have the answer to send him back to his own time. Unfortunately the Social Services Society is on his tail convinced he is an orphan and his only hope is to convince a bully to be his friend. This gripping chase back in time will be a great addition to any tween boy's shelf.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was interesting to read two novels about Houdini in one year! (The other being Steven Galloway's "The Confabulist".) This YA read wasn't as directly about Houdini as Galloway's novel, but he still played a major part in this fun, adventure-filled, time-travelling romp. I loved both Dash and Walter, and their race against time (literally!) was very entertaining.

[Brian Leclair · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a solid read....it's to the story's credit that I didn't realize that this was a kids' story until I happened to read the jacket cover when I was halfway through the novel. It's a story most appropriate for children that adults can enjoy as well.

[Ben Fillery · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well-written book with good flow of emotion. Set in 1926 Toronto when a boy named Dashiell travels back in time by a rogue magic trick, where he tries to get back to the present with help from his friend Walter Gibson. In the meantime, he tries to save Harry Houdini from dying.

[Cheri Linton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fast-paced adventure set in the present and past. It was interesting to see how the author dealt with the shifts in time.

[Nic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Time travel. clean.

[Francesca Caputo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book about a boy and time travel!

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Imaginative novel about Houdini and time travel. A bit juvenile for teenagers though.

[Bookworm101 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm stupid