The Great Escape

The Magic Shop #3

by Kate Egan, Mike Lane, Eric Wight (Illustrations)

Mike is doing better in school these days. Learning magic helps him to learn other things as well. Sure, he's gotten in trouble in the past, but things are different now. So why does everyone still think he's the same old Mike? If only there was a magic trick to change his reputation... Then, during one of his visits to The White Rabbit Magic Shop, Mike finds something that could be even better than a magic trick-it's possible that Mike could be related to Harry Houdini-the greatest magician ever! But when Mike lets the news slip, and Jackson Jacobs dares him to prove it, he knows that he's in the type of bind that only magic can help him escape!

Genres: Childrens

176 pages, Paperback

First published October 7, 2014

Reviews

[Nadine · Rating 4 out of 5]

#magic #series
Will appeal to the students who liked "Kid magician" - combines magic tricks with a mystery type story.

[Amanda Medernach · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series! A grade 4 boy named Mike uses magic to build confidence and stand up to a bully.

[Sails and Scales · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review originally published at The Children's Book and Media Review

Mike is doing better in school than ever, thanks to his new magic hobby. With magic, he is a lot more interested in math and in history. When his class gets an opportunity to learn more about their family histories, Mike wants to find out of the magician’s hat his grandmother gave him belonged to Harry Houdini. His grandmother tells him a lot of things about their family history that is very similar to Houdini’s history, and they even have the same last name. While Mike does some research to find out if he really is related to the great magician, he also has to outwit a bully by using magic.

The third book in the series, The Great Escape continues to show Mike’s growth and dedication as a magician. His ability to combine school with his hobbies to do better in school. His struggle to get over his old reputation as a troublemaker and to deal with his learning disabilities is particularly strong in this book, but Mike never gives up on his goals no matter how hard they are. Mike is a great example to kids who have learning disabilities or who are interested in learning more magic tricks.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title- The Great Escape
Author-Kate Egan and Mike Lane
Illustrator-Eric Wright
Series-The Magic Shop – Book 3
Publisher-Feiwel and Friends
ISBN-9781250047182
Copyright date-2014
Price-$5.99
Paperback
Pages-176
Type of Book – Fiction
Grade Range –2, 3, 4
Use- Recreation
Type Size-Average
Format –Chapter
Illustration Type-Black & White
Illustration Rating- Good
Genres-Realistic
Literary Merit- Good
Characterization- Good
Recommended
Summary-Mike Weiss is a fourth grade student that has issues in school sometimes. He gets mad or gets distracted. He goes to a special math teacher who shows him math magic tricks. Mike loves to go visit The White Rabbit magic store. When Mike is doing magic tricks he really forgets about all his troubles in school. He does a family tree project for school and finds out he is related to Harry Houdini. Mike becomes accepted by the other kids in school and truly finds himself through magic.
Evaluation-This is a great story for any child who has learning disabilities in school or feels different. It shows how Mike overcame his school adversity. It is positive and easy for young grade school students to relate to.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure why I'm surprised that I enjoy this series. The 'magic' just stretches my imagination, just barely pushing the boundary of reality.

[Karen Arendt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this series and the magic tricks!

[Robin Fox]

I know it's a book for younger readers, but for an older reader who has to take things easy for a while, it's well worth a read