The Great Houdini

by Monica Kulling, Monica Kulling

Harry Houdini was a great escape artist, but perhaps his greatest trick was becoming the famous magician that we have come to know. As a child, Houdini worked hard--and even quit school--to help support his family. But his dream always was to become a great magician and performer. He practiced day and night, thinking up new tricks and more and more dangerous stunts. His intense ambition paid off, and soon Harry Houdini became known worldwide!

This kid-appealing Step 3 traces Houdini's life from his poor beginnings to his eventual success as the most famous mystical magician and escape artist of all time.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Childrens, Magic, History

48 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1999

About the author

Monica Kulling was born in Vancouver, British Columbia. She received a BA in creative writing from the University of Victoria. Monica Kulling has published twenty-six fiction and nonfiction books for children, including picture books, poetry, and biographies. She is best known for introducing biography to children just learning to read and has written about Harriet Tubman, Houdini, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Amelia Earhart among others. Monica Kulling lives in Toronto, Canada.

Reviews

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little simplistic, but contained most of the elements.

[Alexis Caudill · Rating 5 out of 5]

1. Book summary, in your own words (3 pts)
The Great Houdini is an informational book about the magician Houdini. It talks about how he dreamed of being a big time magician and then it tells us all about his life. It was very interesting to read. I learned a lot from it.
2. Grade level, interest level, lexile (1 pt)
This would be a good read for 3rd-5th grade students. It was super interesting to read and easy to read.
3. Appropriate classroom use (subject area) (1 pt)
I would use this book during the reading part of the class.
4. Individual students who might benefit from reading (1 pt)
Students interested in magicians and magic would like this book.
5. Small group use (literature circles) (1 pt)
I would use this book as a book for literacy circles to see how students are doing with their reading, fluency, and reading comprehension.
6. Whole class use (read aloud) (1 pt)
I would probably have this book on my shelf for silent reading and such.
7. Related books in genre/subject or content area (1 pt)
Ice Mummy by Mark Dubowski
Discovering in the Cave by Mark Dubowski
8. Multimedia connections (audio books, movie) available (1 pt)
There are no multimedia connections to this book.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a hard time believing that it’s true, but it’s an amazing story anyway.

[Elizabeth Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

i found this through my local library leaning program. what a cool man ...very interesting bit ...can you imagine?? genius!

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Monica Kulling has written several biographies in this easy reader series and she has a deft hand relating an entertaining story of a person's life in a manner that will make kids curious about these people. Houdini is a larger than life figure who has an interesting story to hear. His feats are exciting even today and this is a well-written short chapter book that focuses mainly on his career as an escape artist. The book is nicely illustrated and there are two actual photographs as well, which help make the man seem even more real to the modern child. I don't think I ever realized this before but Houdini has a Canadian connection in that the fatal punch that ended his life happened in Montreal. A recommended book in the series.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harry Houdini was first known as Ehrich Weiss. He loved the circus and magic, these two things combined made him the amazing escape artist that made him famous. Houdini did not die from any of his life threatening stunts but his life did end short by something your would not expect considering how many times he cheated death in his acts.

Monica Kulling provides the read with a chronological story line of Houdini's life from his childhood to his death. This story provides the reader with some interesting facts about how Houdini got into magic and how is career was impacted by the choices he made. Anne Reas enhances the story with her realistic and colorful drawings with a touch of darkness to add to the mystery that was Houdini.

[Anika · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about how Houdini got his carrear started, and how it ended. It was amazing how many stunts he did. He was truly an escape artist. The ends really sad because it tells how he dies, and his secrets died with him. He goes perfectly with the phrase "the show must go on. I chose this book because it looked interesting and I chose it for a project for school. I would recomend this book for anyone interested in magic or crazy stunts.