Fleischman, Sid. Escape!: The Story of the Great Houdini. Greenwillow Books (2008). ISBN-10: 0060850965

Plot Summary

Allowing himself to be handcuffed, chained, locked in trunks, strapped into straight jackets, buried alive, and completely surrounded by brick walls, this amazing showman, Harry Houdini, could seemingly escape from anything! In this book, readers learn about Houdini’s experience in the famous cell built for President Garfield’s assassin and the time he was chained to a pillar with several pairs of handcuffs by Scotland Yard police in London. Houdini’s wild antics are never-ending!

Critical Evaluation

Newbery award winning author Sid Fleischman has written a fascinating book about the life of the lucky immigrant, born Ehrich Weiss, who reinvented himself as Harry Houdini. Sid Fleischman’s obsession with magic and friendship with Houdini’s widow make him the perfect person to write this book!

Reader's Annotation

Newbery award winning author Sid Fleischman has written a fascinating book about the life of the lucky immigrant, born Ehrich Weiss, who reinvented himself as Harry Houdini.

About the Author

Sid Fleischman was born Avrom Zalomon in New York in 1920. As a small child, Sid’s father moved the family to San Diego. In junior high school, Sid spent time reading constantly, but he had no interest in what he was supposed to be reading. He read many magic books, and he dreamt of becoming a magician. While still in high school, Fleischman wrote his first book, a slim book called Between Cocktails. The book contained tricks that a sleight of hand magician could do with a matchbook. He sold away all the publishing rights for only $50.00 in credit for merchandise from a magic supply store. Sid, however, became a published author, and that book remained in print for 30 years! Although early on he had some success as a writer of stories and books for adults, he eventually became a full-time author of children’s books. In fact, his novel The Whipping Boy won the Newbery Medal in 1987. Today, he lives with his wife in Santa Monica. He has written dozens of books for young readers, the latest being The White Elephant, published in 2006

Genre

Nonfiction: biography

Curriculum Ties

Language Arts, Social Studies, Science

Booktalking Ideas

Have you ever heard of Houdini? Well, Escape! The Story of the Great Houdini written by Sid Fleischman is the story of the greatest escape artist the world has ever known. As readers, you can learn about the time Houdini was locked into a famous cell in Washington, D. C. – the one that had been built for President Garfield’s assassin! The door was deeply recessed into the wall and the lock was around the corner, out of reach. So, how did he escape? Head over to the library to learn more about the fascinating life of Houdini!

Reading Level/Interest Age

Ages 9-12

Reason for Book Selection

Every year I require my students to read a biography or an autobiography. Without fail, someone always chooses Houdini. Why not? He’s absolutely fascinating!