Houdini and Me

by Dan Gutman

Harry has always admired the famous escape artist Houdini. And when Houdini asks for help in coming back to life, it seems like an amazing chance...or could it be Houdini's greatest trick of all?

Eleven-year-old Harry Mancini is NOT Harry Houdini--the famous escape artist who died in 1926. But Harry DOES live in Houdini's old New York City home, and he definitely knows everything there is to know about Houdini's life. What is he supposed to do, then, when someone starts texting him claiming that they're Houdini, communicating from beyond the grave? Respond, of course.

It's hard for Harry to believe that Houdini is really contacting him, but this Houdini texts the secrets to all of the escape tricks the dead Houdini used to do. What's more, Houdini's offering Harry a chance to go back in time and experience it for himself. Should Harry ignore what must be a hoax? Or should he give it a try and take Houdini up on this death-defying offer?

Dan Gutman is the award-winning author of series including My Weird School, The Genius Files, and the baseball card series, including Honus & Me. He uses his writing powers for good once again in this exciting new middle grade novel.

Named a New York State Great Read by the Empire State Center for the Book!

Genres: Middle Grade, Historical Fiction, Childrens, Audiobook, Fantasy, Fiction, Time Travel

224 pages, Hardcover

First published March 2, 2021

About the author

The author of over 80 books in a little over a decade of writing, Dan Gutman has written on topics from computers to baseball. Beginning his freelance career as a nonfiction author dealing mostly with sports for adults and young readers, Gutman has concentrated on juvenile fiction since 1995. His most popular titles include the time-travel sports book Honus and Me and its sequels, and a clutch of baseball books, including The Green Monster from Left Field. From hopeful and very youthful presidential candidates to stunt men, nothing is off limits in Gutman's fertile imagination. As he noted on his author Web site, since writing his first novel, They Came from Centerfield, in 1994, he has been hooked on fiction. "It was fun to write, kids loved it, and I discovered how incredibly rewarding it is to take a blank page and turn it into a WORLD."

Gutman was born in New York City in 1955, but moved to Newark, New Jersey the following year and spent his youth there.

Reviews

[Darla · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite thing about this book? There is a scene on McGee Street in 1921 Kansas City where Houdini escapes from a straitjacket while hanging upside down near the KC Star sign. This book combines magic realism with lots of true facts about Harry Houdini and NYC. Young Henry Mancini actually lives in Houdini's former residence in the present. A series of events lead to him being given an old flip phone that buzzes with messages from Harry Houdini. How is Houdini contacting our young Harry from beyond the grave? People always said if anyone could, Houdini could. If Houdini wants to switch with someone, what does that mean for Harry? Includes some photos of historic landmarks and from the life of Houdini. Will be a popular book with Gutman fans for sure.

Thank you to Holiday House and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

[Janssen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't think I'd ever read anything by Dan Gutman - this one was super fun and quick and we were all very into it.

[Theresa Grissom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I like how Dan Gutman combines fact, fantasy and fiction in many of his books. I learn a lot reading them while enjoying a bit of fantasy at the same time. In this particular book, I learned a lot about Harry Houdini and his life. (I was always a fan of magic.) Kids, especially ones that love magic will really enjoy this. Short and easy to read, I got through this in just one sitting.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gutman does one thing consistently that I admire, particularly with juvie fiction: he tells his audience exactly was was real and not real in his historical fiction in an afterword. I rather wish adult fiction writers would do the same! In this story two kids try putting coins on a railroad track and one gets knocked out. The main character, named Harry, wakes up a week later in the hospital. He receives an odd present, a flip phone that starts texting with him. It turns out to be Houdini! What could he want? Will Harry survive this adventure?
This was a quick enjoyable read. Hand to a fourth or fifth grader who needs historical fiction or likes magic.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

My kids loved this book! And it led to a great discussion about internet stranger safety.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really fun MG read. It's short, funny, exciting, and educational all at the same time. Kids will enjoy the fast pace. The novel's light, upbeat tone does get a little darker toward the end of the book as the story takes a scary turn, but it never gets too creepy for young readers. The fear that Harry feels can serve as a cautionary tale about communicating with strangers on the Internet/phone and would make a great jumping off point for discussing the subject with kids.

From a historical fiction perspective, HOUDINI AND ME does a good job bringing Houidini to life. Using facts about his life, as well as some artistic license, helps to create a complex character. The story is enhanced by photographs of the magician as well as sites around New York City that help to further set the stage. While I wish more of the story had been set in the past, there's enough of a dip to whet young readers' appetites for more hist-fic without boring them. I also would have liked to see more resolution of Harry's present fears/problems to show how his experience in the past helped him in his real life.

Despite a few issues with the tale, I quite enjoyed HOUDINI AND ME. I zipped through it in a couple of hours because it was so entertaining. The book would make for a fun, kid-pleasing read aloud. If I could, I would give this one 3 1/2 stars; since I can't, I'm rounding up.

[Sasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Come on, it's a kids book about a real and very mysterious magician who starts texting a kid who happens to now live in his house! Love the premise, the execution is flawless, and the lesson learned isn't shoved down your throat. Historical resources & back matter are a treat, and I appreciate their accessibility and relevance for kids. I do think the pacing could have been a little better, but that's my only gripe, really.

Thanks to the publisher for an ARC! ~all opinions are honest and my own~

[Sara Grochowski · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think kids would like this one because magic and Houdini are always engaging topics and the short, fast-paced chapters make the pages fly by, but I didn't love the conceit of an 11-year-old boy secretly texting a 50-some year-old man - even if that man was Harry Houdini from beyond the grave - and I felt some of the characterization and detail to be awkward and forced. Skip in favor of a fun biography about Houdini, like "Who Was Harry Houdini" or the Houdini biography from the Little People, Big Dreams series, or another magic-infused tale like Neil Patrick Harris' The Magic Misfits series.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the 21st century, people can become famous overnight by simply putting on some silly costume or by posting an outrageous tweet that goes viral. In Houdini’s day, you had to actually do something amazing to get famous. And after you did it, there was no Internet to spread the word about what you did.

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quirky & fun, and a lovely length for 3rd & 4th grade readers.

"Desperate men do desperate things..."

[KrisTina · Rating 3 out of 5]

We listened to this book as a family on a road trip and it was great. I LOVED so much that H and G were ASKING to listen to it which is a total win.

[Tamara Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great combo of imagination and realism in this book! My kids loved all of the facts about Houdini. They are asking for more info about him. I love when fiction books inspire my kids learning!

[Charly Troff (JustaReadingMama) · Rating 4 out of 5]

My kids (8, 7, and 5) and I all really enjoyed this one! It is a fun story, a quick read, and brings Houdini to life.

It isn't often that I say this, but I actually think the book could have been longer and it would have made it better.

[Deanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son and I loved this book!

[Kate Zimmerman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Per Jesse’s recommendation ☺️

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book for a child fascinated by Houdini.

[Libby Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

An ideal book for boys ages 8-12. Especially if they’re interested in magic.

Harry Mancini lives in Harry Houdini’s original home in NYC. After suffering from a head injury that lands him in the hospital, he embarks on a twisted and engaging adventure with Houdini himself from the afterlife.

[Beth Geisler]

Cute read for 4-6 graders who enjoying learning.

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half was packed with interesting facts about Harry Houdini and a an interesting story about a young boy who sustained a head injury. The second half unwound all of the best threads of the story.

[Bryreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Harry knocks his head on something hard life changes what will happen (:
Great book
Totally recommend
Good for all ages

[Heather.loves.books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Houdini and Me by: Dan Gutman

📖 A boy finds a secret phone and is able to communicate with Houdini.

You'll Find 🔍

- Magic
- Single POV
- plot driven

I thought 🔍

People who enjoy fantasy will like it. It was awesome in the middle but the ending could be better.

I loved ♥️

Learning how Houdini did his tricks and the texting.

CW: no language, mention of spirtualism and seances (but the author and Houdini were very firm that he was not supernatural)

Parents- this was a great way to introduce Houdini. It also is ripe for discussion on online safety and talking to internet strangers. I loved the focus on facing your fears.

My sons' rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Kristy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun read with a nice mix of historical detail and modern hijinx. Dan Gutman knows his audience and kids will love this story about a boy who, after a near death experience, finds himself texting with Houdini on an old flip phone.

[Kelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pass. Kids: never have a secret relationship with a strange grown man! Tell your mom!

[Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a very fun and kid friendly way to learn about a famous man in history: Harry Houdini. I learned so much about the man, his life, and his escaping routines! And it was done in a way that kept me on the edge of my seat. I like the message of standing up to your fears. And when people watch you conquer your fears, it gives them hope that they can do it as well. I liked being able to compare the 21st century to the 1920’s. There were real photos included in the ebook, but the narration in the audiobook was fantastic so I would do both simultaneously. I definitely want to pick up more books by this author and I think it’s a great way for kids to learn history.

SPOILERS and book notes:
I love all the real pictures included!! All the real facts. I didn’t know much about Houdini and now I think he is really cool. I like that the author included explanations of how Houdini pulled off his tricks. Harry Houdini is the most famous magician and escape artist that ever lived. he born in 1874 and died 1926. Interesting it’s the roaring 20’s. He lived in New York City and Harry Mancini (the main character) lives in his house! “I live on West 113th Street in New York City. If you don't know New York that well, 113th Street is just three blocks from the most famous park in the world-Central Park. My house is right at the beginning of Harlem.” This is Houdini: “Famous for daring escapes, no restraints-ropes, chains, straitjackets, bank vaults, or jail cells-could hold him.” “They would lock him up in handcuffs, in a jail cell, a rolltop desk, a giant milk can, and a mailbag. He was even locked inside a hot-water heater!” He DIED on HALLOWEEN NIGHT at the age of 52!! “Houdini died of peritonitis resulting from appendicitis (after he was punched in the stomach) on October 31, 1926, in Detroit, Michigan. Newspapers throughout the country carried the news of his death in articles whose length attested to the breadth of his fame.” So he didn’t die from his magic tricks! Harry Houdini is a stage name of Erik Weisz. Harry was the first person to fly an airplane in Australia. The write brothers invented the airplane in 1903. “Every person in this world has fear. But if I could be shackled and escape from a box that was thrown into a river people feel like they can escape from the thing they fear. I gave people hope. That was my power.” He even entered our language. When you say someone “pulled a Houdini” it means he/she escaped from a seemingly inescapable situation. Bess was houdinis wife and assistant. The two Harry’s switch places!! They get to see how the time has changed so drastically in 100 years. Houdini mind is blown that a hotdog costs 4$ instead of a nickel. He is trying to get people to believe he is Houdini and trying to do his tricks for them but no one is impressed. They just think he is crazy. It’s different times! Haha They throw little Harry into an act in 1920’s where he has to get out of a straight jacket upside down and he DOES! So the two switched places (he called it a metamorphosis) but only they remember what happened when they changed places for an hour. It didn’t like mess with the other persons life or body or anything. But it is cool to experience someone else life. Especially in a different time period. it’s so different to be famous now days vs houdinis day. In our day we can just record something in the phone and it can go viral and everyone can know. In houdinis day he had to risk his life every day doing something amazing for a different crowd to be able to get as famous as he did. Houdini made Harry confront his fear of heights. Now that Harry had escaped the straight jacket he should feel like he could accomplish anything! And he also gave the people hope that they could escape the problems in their lives. Oooo Houdini turned into the villain! He is an ego maniac. He is going to force Harry to switch places permanently. Stick up to him Harry! Don’t let him bully you!!! Houdini is trying to pull off one last greatest escape: death. But he did it selfishly. At the cost of a boys life! All of that is fake obviously. But he really did star in silent films!

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can certainly see why author Dan Gutman's books are popular with youngsters in fifth and sixth grade. They often contain characters just like most of us who are put in unusual circumstances. In this particular book, eleven-year-old Harry Mancini lives with his mother in Harry Houdini's former home in New York City. Consequently, he becomes obsessed in learning everything he can about the famous escape artist who died in 1926. The author cleverly includes tidbits about Houdini as well as archival photos, presumably to tantalize readers but also as part of the narrative. For those who don't know anything about the man, these additions are helpful. When Harry and his best friend Zeke decide to place coins on the train tracks near Freedom Tunnel one day, Harry barely escapes with his life because his shoelace gets stuck in the track. He awakens from a coma, and then is sent home. Among all the get well gifts sent to the hospital is an old flip phone through which text messages, in ALL CAPS, start arriving. They're from Harry Houdini, and the two Harrys strike up a conversation. Houdini offers to trade places with Harry so that he can experience the modern world and Harry can see what it was like to be a famous escape artist. The confusion Houdini experiences in an unfamiliar New York City and the fear Harry experiences at being put in a straight-jacket and hoisted high into the air are described vividly. Harry is relieved to return home in one piece. But then Houdini makes him an offer that is more a command than an offer: He wants to trade places permanently. The author carefully builds the suspense in this infinitely-readable chapter book that ends with a nifty twist. I'm betting that many readers will close the book and immediately search online for more about Houdini.

[Ian Kang · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was great! It had plenty of detail and I could understand it properly. Harry Mancini was a very funny character who knew all about Houdini and was suspicious about the identity of the person claiming to be Houdini even though it really was him communicating from the dead through the mystery flip phone he found in the box next to his hospital bed after he got a coma at the tunnel.

At first I thought it wasn't that Houdini I knew, but after Harry Mancini found out that it really was him from the dead, I was very surprised that they could communicate in different timelines! When Houdini says he will do Metamorphosis, a trick done by Houdini where he switches places with someone who was his wife at the time, he says he will switch places with Harry permanently. I really thought he was going to switch places, but Harry decides to go to Zeke, his friend, for help and destroys the flip phone in the tunnel where he first got his coma.

After destroying the flip phone by throwing it under a running train, Harry goes into another coma and he ends up back at the hospital and finds another flip phone inside a box. I thought that part of the plot was twisted and confusing but I realized that destroying the phone caused everything to go back in a loop. I was very shocked to see Harry find another phone inside a box next to his hospital bed again, but was funny that he went back in a loop. This was an interesting book and was also thrilling to read.

[Magdalena · Rating 3 out of 5]

I posted the following review on my personal blog:

Eleven-year-old Harry Mancini lives in the same house once inhabited by Harry Houdini, which is probably why he knows so many biographical details and fun facts about the famous escape artist. But he never expected to be tricked by Houdini himself.

After a moment of poor judgement lands him in a week-long coma, Harry finds a flip phone among his get-well gifts and starts getting text messages from Houdini. Houdini is curious to know if he’s still famous a century after his death, but he soon reveals that he wants to ask a lot more of Harry. He wants to perform a “metamorphosis” and switch places with him. Harry is transported back to 1921 where, as Houdini, Harry must perform an escape stunt. Later, Houdini wants to repeat the switch, but this time, it’s going to be permanent. And he’s not taking no for an answer.

Gutman’s portrayal of Houdini as an “egomaniac” with no regard for Harry’s life is a little concerning, as it probably doesn’t accurately reflect the character of this real historical figure. Aside from that, this book is a fun read, although the reading level is a little too low and it’s a little too short to fully explore the escapism theme.

This slightly spooky time travel adventure may have some appeal for fans of those genres and reluctant readers, but I wouldn’t recommend it very highly to a more general audience.

[Pat Trattles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eleven-year-old Harry Mancini is obsessed with Harry Houdini, the great escape artist. Not only has he read every book he can get his hands on about Houdini, but he lives in the same house in New York where Houdini lived. There is a plaque on the outside of the building to prove it.
Harry suffers a live threatening accident which leaves him in a coma. When he awakes he discovers an old-fashioned flip phone among the flowers, chocolates and get-well cards sent from his many friends and well-wishers. There is no indication who sent the phone and although Harry desperately wants a cell phone, he is embarrassed by it and hides it in his bureau drawer. That night the phone buzzes to reveal a text message from someone who says he is Harry Houdini. At first he thinks it’s a prank, but as time goes on the messages continue and the caller reveals more and more obscure facts about Houdini’s life. Can it be? Is he really communicating with the dead Harry Houdini? This book provides a fun romp combining magic realism with lots of true facts about New York City, Houdini, and his many feats of magic and escapism. Highly recommended middle grade read.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hate star ratings. As my husband says they're for computers, not for people. But on we go.

I liked this book it and I was very much into it, so much so that it was difficult for me to do anything else but sit and listen. Normally I take care of tasks while I listen to books. Not possible here--fast pace and immersive storytelling.

A young boy named Harry, lives in Harry Houdini's home in NYC. Following an accident, he receives a mysterious gift among the many flowers and boxes of candy: an old flip phone. And thus begins a back and forth texting session between 21st century Harry (not Houdini) and the famous (and dead) Harry Houdini.

The plot pacing was fabulous and captivating. But the text communication weirded me out. It was an example on text safety don'ts. As a parent of teens I kept wishing the kid would TELL HIS MOM what was going on. And then the story resolved itself.

The tone of the texts near the end still creeped me out, fiction notwithstanding.

[Kendra Andrus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, this was a quirky, far-fetched story that we still really enjoyed. The writing is not beautiful or phenomenal, but it's very imaginative, clever, and informative. If you want a fantastical story that carries a lot of historical/factual information about Harry Houdini, this is a great book for your kids! I highly recommend you watch some YouTube videos of his most famous performances BEFORE you read this book because there will be spoilers about how he achieved them. There is mentioning of spiritism and seances and communicating with the dead, there is a lot of cool contrasting of what things were like in the 1920s versus the 2020s, and a decent amount of getting to know New York City. But mostly you'll learn all about Harry Houdini in story form. It was a fun read and now we want to go to the Houdini Museum.