Spellbinder: The Life of Harry Houdini

My son read this book and had this to say: "I'm a fourth grader and I was reading this for a school project. I read the book because I had to write a biography. It was GREAT. All the stuff he did, it was just fantastic. It even tells what he was doing in his spare time, where he lived, who he cared for a lot, that sort of thing. And more than just magic feats. It was AWESOME. "

Houdini is a fascinating character, and he really comes alive in SPELLBINDER. The book is extremely accessible, with tons of photos and lively, fresh writing. Houdini's life and times--everything from child labor to the cataclysm that was World War I--are skillfully woven into the text. One of the most interesting themes is how Houdini worked to debunk fraudulent mediums and other tricksters. Following the text are a bibliography, a chronology, and an index, making the book an excellent resource for reports. But it is also just a great read.