Harry Houdini: A Magical Life (Snapshots: Images of People and Places in History) - Hardcover

MacLeod, Elizabeth

3.69

16 ratings by Goodreads

9781553377696: Harry Houdini: A Magical Life (Snapshots: Images of People and Places in History)

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1553377699 ISBN 13: 9781553377696

Publisher: Kids Can Press, 2005

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Harry Houdini is still the world's most famous magician -- thanks to his inventive tricks, death-defying stunts and incredible talent for publicity. He claimed he could escape from anything! The immigrant son of a rabbi, Harry overcame grueling poverty to become a one-man phenomenon, wowing audiences around the world. Harry happily hung upside down from skyscrapers, leapt into rivers in chains and survived in an airless coffin -- but driving a car made him nervous. He also starred in six Hollywood movies, some still available on video. This biography in the Snapshots: Images of People and Places in History series introduces young readers to the multitalented, mysterious and contradictory man behind the tricks, escapes and dangerous feats.

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About the Author:

Elizabeth MacLeod has written many children's books, including nine titles in the Snapshots Biography series; numerous titles in the Kids Can Read, Kids Books Of and Kids Can Do It series; Why Do Horses Have Manes?; What Did Dinosaurs Eat?; and Monster Fliers. She lives in Toronto.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 4-6-Biographies about Houdini are plentiful, but a plethora of photos, illustrations, and poster reproductions in black and white and in color gives this title extra life. Two-page chapters follow him from his childhood in Budapest through his difficult growing-up years and into his amazingly successful career as a magician. MacLeod does a nice job of pointing out that Houdini's stories of his life did not always mesh with reality as the proud man was prone to stretching the truth and making himself look grand. The writing is clear and well organized with plenty of information to intrigue and even surprise readers. For those looking for further information, try Vicki Cobb's Harry Houdini (DK, 2005). Younger readers may enjoy Kathleen Krull's picture-book Houdini (Walker, 2005).-Deanna Romriell, Salt Lake City Library, UT
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