Review of HOUDINI by Kathleen Krull

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Krull, Kathleen. HOUDINI. 2005. Ill. By Eric Velasquez. New York: Walker and Company. ISBN 0802789536

2. PLOT SUMMARY

The focus of this biography is definitely Houdini’s amazing success as an escape artist. The book also highlights Houdini’s childhood, which was spent in poverty. This led to Houdini working constantly and in his spare time, trying to come up with clever routines to help bring in money. He first performed a trapeze act, then studied magic routines, and finally began adding escape routines to his repartee. The book describes and illustrates several of his routines, while also discussing his marriage, his perfectionism, and his untimely death at age 52. The book concludes with some behind the scenes information that explains some of secrets to Houdini’s routines. The secrets, however, are the determination of Houdini. His hard work and practice made him a success, as well as his mental ability to deal with physical pain in order to make every routine perfect. He truly was an amazing individual, and deserves to remain the most famous name in magic.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This picture-book about Houdini’s life, will catch the eye of most children. Even if they can’t read the words, the beautiful illustrations showing the escape routines will capture their attention. The book is designed to resemble the circus. The text is big and bold. The illustrations are made by using oil paint on watercolor paper. They are very lifelike and beautiful. The author uses the illustrations to show step by step the details to some of Houdini’s most famous escape routines. The end of the book has a “Behind the Scenes,” section that contains some interesting information about how some of Houdini’s performances were achieved. Most children will enjoy this part of the book.

The book has a bibliography, and gives credit to eleven sources. The book contains no “Table of Contents,” but the book is brief enough that it doesn’t need it. Most older students will want to read the whole book in one sitting.
The book is a picture book made for children, so the book points out the amazing things that Houdini was able to achieve in his life. The book does not include anything negative about Houdini, which might lead one to believe that the author’s viewpoint could be biased. Whatever the case, this book is captivating and Houdini deserves a book about the amazing routines he perfected. Houdini should be admired by children everywhere for using his natural abilities, as well as determination and hard work, to make himself a success. He found a way to do what he enjoyed and was able to earn a good living doing it. What better lesson is there for children to learn?

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL REVIEW: “Grade 2-5–An attractive, oversize picture-book biography. Framed descriptions of some of Houdini's most famous stunts are interspersed within the overview of his life. The author's crisp narrative style and careful choice of detail are evident here. Velasquez's impressive framed, posed oil paintings portray the magician's intensity and sense of showmanship. Most of the illustrations feature Houdini and his performances, and the design and varied layout are very effective.”

BOOKLIST REVIEW: “Gr. 1-3. In this biography of one of history's most successful showmen, Krull's expository narrative periodically pauses to revisit the old-fashioned theater depicted in the splashy title-page sequence. These clever interludes feature vivid, free-verse poems that cast children as audience members at Houdini's most fabled performances ("Failure to escape means a drowning death! / An assistant stands by with an ax just in case"). Though together the main narrative and poetry barely skim the surface of Houdini's life, the card-trick contingent will find the combination accessible, and motivated children will take full advantage of the amplifying endnote and resource listing.”

5. CONNECTIONS

Students could read other biographies on the person of their choosing and the class could make a poster, pasting pictures of Houdini and the other people featured. Compare and contrast their lives, as well as their personalities and character traits. This would be a great way to discuss what character traits seem to keep showing up in people that make a difference in the world.

Students could read excerpts from other books about Houdini, and determine if the author left out any negative information, or they could see if they can find an interesting or fascinating fact, that wasn’t included in the book. Students could discuss why being objective is important when writing nonfiction. The class could make a poster or collage that shows important things that the author left out, or that the class thought should have been included.

Students could research and illustrate their favorite Houdini stunt. They could do a step by step illustration like the ones included in the book. Then they could present it to the class. They could research and find stunts not included in the book also.