(3) 4-6 Eleven-year-old Audacity (Audacity Jones to the Rescue) and best friend Bimmy venture from Miss Maisie's School for Wayward Girls with Cypher, now a detective, on a new adventure in NYC. They must stop a plot to sabotage Harry Houdini's latest illusion: making an elephant disappear. Multiple viewpoints converge to swiftly propel the story forward while historical elements imbue the mystery with an appropriate old-fashioned feel.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(2) 4-6 Noyes uses Houdini's attempts to discredit the late-nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century Spiritualist movement as her entry point into the intriguing phenomenon. She provides historical context and relates incidents from Houdini's life, including his friendship with staunch believer Arthur Conan Doyle and his attempts to unmask "flimflammers." The book concludes that humans will believe in those fictions they wish to. Websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2017

(4) 4-6 Young Houdini series. In 1880s New York City, young Harry Houdini performs magic tricks with his best friends Arthur and Billie. When Harry's mentor, an elderly magician, vanishes under suspicious circumstances, the trio works to uncover the truth. The plot moves briskly, despite some forced lessons about respecting friendship, and most readers will enjoy the combination of stage magic, detective work, and camaraderie.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(3) 1-3 Magic Tree House series. Illustrated by Sal Murdocca. Siblings Jack and Annie are off on two more time-traveling adventures for Merlin the Magician. They journey to mid-nineteenth-century Egypt in search of Florence Nightingale in High Time and to Coney Island at the turn of the last century in Houdini. The series' formula, which blends magic, adventure, sibling dynamics, and history, is successful in these fiftieth and fifty-first installments. Review covers these Magic Tree House titles: High Time for Heroes and Hurry Up, Houdini!

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Chris Lane. Archival photographs, publicity shots, and original illustrations combine with an engaging text to present a well-researched chronological biography of Harry Houdini. Sidebars featuring historical information illuminate the time period, and the frequent use of Houdini's own words provides a deeper understanding and appreciation of his personal and professional life. This is a solid addition to biography collections. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 Jack Carr, shuffled among lousy foster homes, wants to escape like his hero, Harry Houdini. He regularly practices with handcuffs--a helpful talent when his latest foster father sells him to a carnival troupe touring the Forest of the Dead. The macabre setting and supporting characters are lively; ample villainy adds an appreciated thrill to the somewhat slow-moving plot.

Reviewer: Bethany Templeton Klem

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Matt Collins. The Adlers (father and son) continue their picture book biography collaboration with a look at escape artist and magician Houdini. After describing his famous milk-can escape, the story backtracks to his birth then continues along chronologically. Aimed at beginning readers, the book has short sentences, easy vocabulary, and a few direct quotes. Illustrations in muted tones feature eye-catching perspectives. Timeline, websites. Bib.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(3) 1-3 Stepping Stone series. Illustrated by Jim Madsen. Young Ehrich "Harry" Weiss is entranced by the circus. He sneaks off with his brother to experiment with acts of his own, losing two teeth in the process. Details like Harry's interest in picking locks help set the stage for his future life as Houdini. The story also stands alone as a tale of boyish hijinks, reflected in Madsen's spirited black-and-white illustrations.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Carlyn Beccia. Crime-fighting duo Harry Houdini and Nate return to solve their third cleverly crafted period mystery in early-twentieth-century New York. Friend and coworker Ace has been arrested for a gruesome murder, and Nate is certain he's innocent. Nate and Houdini set out to investigate who has framed Ace and why. History and mystery fans will continue to thrill to Nate's adventures.

Reviewer: Betsy Murray

(4) K-3 Kids Can Read series. Illustrated by Jon Mantha. This rags-to-riches story of the escape artist begins with his childhood and outlines many of the stunts for which he became famous, leading to his early death. Somewhat stiff illustrations help readers envision his elaborate illusions and appreciate their impact. Four bulleted additional facts ("Dogs were Harry and Bess's favorite pets") are appended. Sources are lacking.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(2) YA Scooter King, son of an unscrupulous spiritualist, finds a drowned man inside Harry Houdini's Burmese Torture Tank. Scooter gets caught up in the mystery, teaming with Houdini to solve the case. Lawrence sets his story perfectly in the time, with particular emphasis on the razzle-dazzle of vaudeville. Newspaper-style chapter headings give a date-by-date account of happenings in the novel and the world.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2008

(4) 1-3 Victor idolizes Harry Houdini. Unfortunately, Victor's invitation to visit Houdini's house falls on the same day Houdini dies, and Victor leaves with only a mysterious box given to him by Houdini's widow. Illustrated with dark-toned art, the elusive tale is more a mood piece than a fully developed story. This new edition includes appended photographs, sketches, and information about Selznick's research. Reading list.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Carlyn Cerniglia. This second book in the series takes place aboard the Lusitania in 1911 (four years before it sank), where an assassin is after former president Theodore Roosevelt. Nate tries to use Harry Houdini's teachings on observation and insight to find and stop the would-be killer. Authentic historical details combine with suspense and quick pacing for an exciting read.

Reviewer: Betsy Murray

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Nick Bertozzi. A magician never reveals his secrets. But in this graphic novel about one of Houdini's underwater handcuff escapes, the author speculates that Houdini's wife, Bess, was more than a little involved. The three-color art panels are varied in design and orientation, adding drama to the story by changing readers' visual perspectives. An introduction and afterword give additional information.

Reviewer: Laura A. Woollett

(4) 4-6 Sterling Biographies series. Quick-paced chapters and well-chosen images of photos, paintings, documents, etc. (e.g., Edison's talking-doll prototype) make for engaging, if mostly laudatory, biographies. Sidebars flesh out historical contexts, science facts, and important contemporaries and predecessors. Larger-than-life Houdini will probably have the most appeal. Einstein is the least accessible due to its complex physics content. Across the volumes, quotes aren't cited. Timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Sterling Biographies titles: Alexander Graham Bell, The Wright Brothers, Benjamin Franklin, Harry Houdini, Thomas Edison, and Albert Einstein.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(2) 4-6 Adopting a tone somewhere between vaudeville announcer and carnival barker, Fleischman lures readers to the greatest show of all: reading. A magician himself, Fleischman does not disappear from the narrative but offers personal comments and conjures up verbal wordplay. He displays the drama of Houdini's escapades and adventures with sure and energetic pacing.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2006

(3) 4-6 Thirteen-year-old Nathaniel is befriended by the great Houdini in this well-researched period novel. Convinced that Nate's strict yet vulnerable great-aunt is being conned by a spiritualist, Houdini helps expose the fraud. An author's note explains that the real Houdini gave lectures advising people about how to protect themselves from con artists. Houdini fans will enjoy the historical details of turn-of-the-twentieth-century New York.

Reviewer: Elizabeth Shaver

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Eric Velasquez. In a uniquely designed picture book biography, an exploration of the life and motivation of the renowned escape artist is periodically interspersed with depictions of his most famous stunts, narrated by a spirited impresario. Lush oil paintings capture everything from nuanced facial expressions to dramatic outdoor scenes, extending the well-crafted account. Bib.

Reviewer: CHristine Sarrazin

(4) 1-3 Illustrated by Leonid Gore. Sam is in great suspense as he and Uncle Ezra watch master of deception Harry Houdini attempt an underwater escape from a locked trunk. Houdini's own first-person reverie, self-confident and poetic, is interspersed throughout this story about believing in oneself. Although the text and brooding pastel and ink illustrations capture Houdini's mythic power, the book is bogged down by its heavy message.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) YA Historical American Biographies series. Although formulaic (each volume in this series begins with a dramatic in medias res moment from the subject's life and ends with a chapter detailing his or her historical legacy), these books contain solid biographical information. The main texts balance personal and professional facts; sidebars offer intriguing supplemental matter. The books are illustrated with black-and-white photos. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Historical American Biographies titles: Carry A. Nation, Harry Houdini, William Tecumseh, Henry Ford, and George Eastman.]

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta