A Picture Book of Harry Houdini (Picture Book Biography)

My 6th-grade students used A Picture Book of Harry Houdini, by David Adler, as one of several sources of information on Harry Houdini to complete a research-simulation task. This book really supported the reading, thinking, research, and writing purposes for this literary analysis project. Other resources used by my students to complete the research-simulation task included video clips, a biographical excerpt (from Spellbinder...), and primary sources of information. The research-simulation task required students to analyze how the authors built their argument that Houdini rose from being a low-level magician to become a world-famous showman and escape artist by practice, determination, and performing death-dying acts. Students wrote a literary analysis essay (analysis of an argument; Common Core Standards RI8 and W2) in response to the writing prompt. This book fit very well in the process of completing the essay.

My kid loves this. Filled with facts and pictures.

This was a fun book to read, and the student doing a report on Houdini appreciated the additional source!

Great book! My first graders loved it!I used it as an introduction to Houdini before we read "Hurry Up Houdini", by Mary Pope Osbourne!The pictures are lovely and it is a great read for beginner to advance readers!

Great biography!

This is the first biography of Harry Houdini that I've seen for the early childhood set. The text is easy to understand and the pictures are fascinating. My first and second graders also loved the fact the author is David A. Adler, who penned all of the Cam Jansen books.

This book is intended for a very young audiance. It is very good for them. Requiring a longer response is rediculous.

When the Weisz family emigrated from Budapest, Hungary to Appleton, Wisconsin in the late 1800s, their name was changed to Weiss. Times were tough and young Ehrich tried to help out the family finances by "selling newspapers and shining shoes." His father, Rabbi Weiss, taught Hebrew and money was very tight. Erich was a little worker and when he was nine he briefly worked in a "five-cent" circus and later, when he was eleven, got a job working with a locksmith. It wasn't long before he could open all the locks "without keys." Unbeknownst to him he was setting the stage for his future and his own name change. Harry Houdini, as Ehrich came to be known, would be one of the world's greatest "escape artists and magicians in history."His passion for magic began when with simple card tricks, magic that doesn't thrill people, but when he "added escape tricks" he began to attract a lot of attention. Lock `em up! When he went to a new town he went to the jailhouse and requested he be securely locked into a cell. Nothing seemed to be able to hold him and small town newspaper stories hyped up the story and people began to flock to his shows. He defied anyone to keep him captive, but no one could. The escapes became more and more elaborate and extremely exciting. Harry soon became an international star. What heights would his tricks take him? Could he survive a bridge jump "locked in chains" or would he drown trying?The age group that would be interested in this nicely written biography of Harry Houdini also seems to be fascinated with amateur magic tricks. Some of course are more interested in others, but if you've ever had a chance to take a youngster into a magic shop or watch the amazement on his or her face as they watch a magician, you'll understand the awe and amazement they feel. The storyline was very exciting and riveting at times. The artwork was superb, especially the depiction of Houdini in a jail cell. The numerous locks from head to toe and the self-assured look on his face says it all. If you are looking for a well-written biography to interest your budding magician, this is it!

Just got this and it is in good condition