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57th out of 67 books
—
17 voters
The Carnival of Lost Souls: A Handcuff Kid Novel
by
Laura Quimby
For one charismatic kid, the dangerous world of the Forest of the Dead becomes the setting for the ultimate escape trick in this exciting debut novel.
Jack Carr has been shuttled from foster home to group home to foster home his entire life. The only constant has been his interest in magic, especially handcuff escapes like those mastered by his hero, Harry Houdini. When he’...more
Jack Carr has been shuttled from foster home to group home to foster home his entire life. The only constant has been his interest in magic, especially handcuff escapes like those mastered by his hero, Harry Houdini. When he’...more
Hardcover, 352 pages
Published
October 1st 2010
by Harry N. Abrams
(first published 2010)
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This book is one of the most suspenseful and exciting books that I have read. The theme I found was to never trust what you see, the main character, Jack, learns this lessons many times. He first learns it when his latest foster dad, Professor Hawthorne, sells him to an evil magician named Mussini. Professor Hawthorne looked like an average man but he had an unusually love for magic, like Jack, which was why Jack felt love for the first time in his life. Later in the Land of The Dead Mussini sho...more
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I had a lot of hope for The Carnival of Lost Souls because I’ve always been a fan of magic. When I was younger I actually used to collect tricks and anytime there was a magic show on tv, I was all over it. I was hoping this book would bring that feeling back, but it just wasn’t the same.
Nothing at all really worked for me. The story itself felt a little disjointed. Everything moved so quickly I was often left figuring I’d missed a few pages. It wasn’t moving in an actiony way or anything either...more
Nothing at all really worked for me. The story itself felt a little disjointed. Everything moved so quickly I was often left figuring I’d missed a few pages. It wasn’t moving in an actiony way or anything either...more
Jack has been shuffled between several foster homes. At age 12, he is an expert at escaping handcuffs and idolizes Harry Houdini. But Jack is tricked by a magician of the underworld, Mussini, and he has to try to escape purgatory. I found this novel to be quite entertaining, and I don't think it is limited to tweens. I didn't become extremely invested in the characters and found many of the events quite predictable, but I looked forward to reading it each time I picked it up.
5 reasons why this book is marvelous!
It’s got magic in it. Houdini magic. Enough said.
I absolutely love the world that Quimby creates. It’s magical, it’s ghostly, it’s the world of a carnival. Three great things wrapped up in one.
Jack is a foster care kid which I think isn’t touched on enough in books, and Quimby features this aspect in a delicate, yet deeply touching way.
This book is a great way to introduce kids to Houdini and his historical roots. Non-fiction slipped in through fiction =...more
It’s got magic in it. Houdini magic. Enough said.
I absolutely love the world that Quimby creates. It’s magical, it’s ghostly, it’s the world of a carnival. Three great things wrapped up in one.
Jack is a foster care kid which I think isn’t touched on enough in books, and Quimby features this aspect in a delicate, yet deeply touching way.
This book is a great way to introduce kids to Houdini and his historical roots. Non-fiction slipped in through fiction =...more
Jun 24, 2011
Ismael Espejo
added it
this book is one of the most magical and awsome book i ever read!
I read this book and loved it!!!!!!! It was so good !!!
Aug 24, 2012
Chiie
is currently reading it
it's interesting so far~
reviewed for library media connection.
This one was just a fun story, a nice way to pass some time. I was proud of Jack for being able to trust, and think the best of people even after all he had been through in his short life. This is the kind of character I like to see. More please!
Review on my blog as part of Tween Tuesday.
May 29, 2011
Heartblade
added it
Awsoome. I say... fantisy.
May 05, 2013
Miranda
is currently reading it
Nov 19, 2012
Dandelionsteph
added it
Nov 16, 2012
Jon
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