Houdini and Me

Harry has always admired the famous escape artist Houdini. And when Houdini asks for help in coming back to life, it seems like an amazing chance...or could it be Houdini's greatest trick of all?

Eleven-year-old Harry Mancini is NOT Harry Houdini--the famous escape artist who died in 1926. But Harry DOES live in Houdini's old New York City home, and he definitely knows everything there is to know about Houdini's life. What is he supposed to do, then, when someone starts texting him claiming that they're Houdini, communicating from beyond the grave? Respond, of course.

It's hard for Harry to believe that Houdini is really contacting him, but this Houdini texts the secrets to all of the escape tricks the dead Houdini used to do. What's more, Houdini's offering Harry a chance to go back in time and experience it for himself. Should Harry ignore what must be a hoax? Or should he give it a try and take Houdini up on this death-defying offer?

Dan Gutman is the award-winning author of series including My Weird School, The Genius Files, and the baseball card series, including Honus & Me. He uses his writing powers for good once again in this exciting new middle grade novel.

Named a New York State Great Read by the Empire State Center for the Book!

Author: Dan Gutman
Publisher: Holiday House
Published: 03/02/2021
Pages: 224
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.70lbs
Size: 8.30h x 5.70w x 1.00d
ISBN: 9780823445158
Audience: Ages 9-12

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 4.2
Point Value: 4
Interest Level: Middle Grade
Quiz #/Name: 512282 / Houdini and Me


Review Citation(s):
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 02/01/2021
Publishers Weekly 01/11/2021
Booklist 01/01/2021 pg. 73
School Library Journal 02/01/2021 pg. 67
Kirkus Reviews 02/15/2021

About the Author
Dan Gutman grew up in New Jersey loving sports, which inspired him as an adult to write his baseball card book series, that begins with Honus & Me, which was nominated for eleven state awards and adapted for television. Other titles of his include the My Weird School series, The Genius Files series, The Kid Who Ran for President, and much more. He lives with his wife and two kids in New York City. Houdini and Me is Dan's first title with Holiday House.