Escape!

As a child magician, Fleischman thrilled at spending time with Bess Houdini, wife of the great escape artist. These early experiences gave him admiration, curiosity, and insider information about his subject. As author, Fleischman, like narrator Taylor Mali and Houdini himself, grows more excited when the magician's career takes off. Though he won't reveal any magic secrets, Fleischman's writing fascinates listeners with vivid pictures. Mali adds his own magic, especially a fine sense of timing. Like the showman himself, Mali fascinates with renditions of Houdini's jail breaks and straight-jacket escapes. He expertly relates the mysteries of a man who still intrigues the world. S.W. (c) AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine

Starred review from July 10, 2006
Fleischman's (The Whipping Boy
) colorful, anecdotal biography of Harry Houdini (1874–1926) offers an accessible portrait of this master of magic and escape. The author sets an affectionate and humorous tone, beginning with his subject's most famous feats, and then declaring, "As a devout magician, I am able to reveal only that I may not
reveal Houdini's secrets." Fleischman neatly sorts out facts, speculation and legend as he traces the performer's career, from his early stints in vaudeville, with a circus and traveling medicine show and even, along with his wife and on-stage sidekick, Bess, "a part-time career as ghost wranglers and mind-reading fakers." A savvy self-promoter, Houdini made headlines through such successful challenges as breaking out of a Chicago jail cell, yet, Fleischman wryly notes, his "sudden fame was written in vanishing ink." After securing a solid reputation in Europe, the "monarch of manacles" became a stage sensation and financial success in this country as well, with some of his more famous feats, such as escaping from a straitjacket while suspended upside-down from a building. A "teenage conjuror" and former vaudevillian himself, Fleischman brings an insider's sensibility to Houdini's story (after Houdini's death, he came to know Bess, who "became a sort of den mother to us young enthusiasts"). One gets the sense that the author delved into his subject for his own enjoyment, and brings readers along for an entertaining ride. Copious photographs help flesh out Houdini's robust, larger-than-life personality and underscore the range and audacity of his exploits. Ages 9-up.

May 1, 2007
Gr 4-8-Award-winning author Sid Fleischman, a magician himself, has written a fascinating and engaging biography of Houdini (Greenwillow, 2006). The author's eye for good storytelling is matched only by the showmanship of Houdini as we learn about the mysteries the magician and illusionist created about his birth, his early life, his public stunts, his show business career, and more. Although Houdini's secrets are never revealed, this is an entertaining and informative biography. Fleischman narrates the preface and epilogue, highlighting his own experience in Houdini's world. Taylor Mali narrates the bulk of the story, and his enthusiasm is obvious as he leads listeners through the tumultuous life of the master magician. Be sure to pair the audiobook with the print version so listeners get the opportunity to see the many fascinating photos. An excellent choice for reluctant readers."Karen T. Bilton, Mary Jacobs Memorial Library, Rocky Hill, NJ"

Copyright 2007 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.