A Spotlight for Harry

by Eric A. Kimmel

Other authorsJim Madsen (Illustrator)
Paperback, 2010

Status

Available

Call number

J B HOU

Publication

Random House Books for Young Readers (2010), Edition: Reprint, Paperback, 112 pages

Description

Harry Weiss-later known by his stage name, Harry Houdini-and his brother, Dash, are enthralled when the circus comes to their Wisconsin town. Harry loves all the acts, but his favorites are the tightrope and the amazing trick where a man hangs from a rope with his teeth! Harry and Dash decide to try circus tricks in a nearby barn, and although Harry's headstrong determination leads him and his brother into trouble, it also opens up a whole new world for him-a world of performance that later becomes his life's passion.In this evocative story, Eric Kimmel tells how Harry Houdini discovered his love for performing in a small Wisconsin town.

Barcode

3274

Language

User reviews

LibraryThing member btivis
A Spotlight for Harry tells the story of the early life of who we know as Houdini. You learn that Harry and his brother were fans of the circus, and that is what got them both started in doing circus tricks, which lead into their adult jobs as magicians. It tells how they began learning to walk a
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tight rope from a very early age. You also get to see some of the problems they run into when trying all of their new tricks.
I liked this book. I think it adds more interest when you look at these brothers as children, just learning their tricks, as opposed to adults who have done them for years. I also like that you see the problems that can happen when they try out new tricks without planning them out. It will make kids stop and think before running out and trying something they just saw.

I think this book would be fun to use in class. You could use it to discuss the science aspect of what it took to balance on the rope and why. It could also be used to discuss how many tricks aren't as they seem. That could lead into research on how many magic tricks are performed.
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ISBN

0375858695 / 9780375858697
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