A Spotlight for Harry

by Eric A. Kimmel, Jim Madsen (Illustrator)

The story of young Harry Houdini, the world’s greatest escape artist!

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.

112 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Eric A. Kimmel is an American author of more than 150 children's books. His works include Caldecott Honor Book Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins (illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman), Sydney Taylor Book Award winners The Chanukkah Guest and Gershon's Monster, and Simon and the Bear: A Hanukkah Tale.
Kimmel was born in Brooklyn, New York and earned a bachelor's degree in English literature from Lafayette College in 1967, a master's degree from New York University, and a PhD in Education from the University of Illinois in 1973. He taught at Indiana University at South Bend, and at Portland State University, where he is Professor Emeritus of Education.
Kimmel lives with his wife, Doris, in Portland, Oregon.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm going to fix the blurb. I chose to read it because I enjoy almost everything Kimmel does. I enjoyed this very quick read as a fun piece of historical fiction, with good lessons and pictures.

I particularly liked how the boys learned a lesson about 'don't try this at home' without getting their spirits squashed. They learned so much, from so many different adults... too bad most MG books have kids being orphaned or neglected and learning on their own. This book shows how to have parents present, and kids being brave, both.

I like the detail about how the Hungarians love horses. Judging by the works of Kate Seredy that is no exaggeration or cliché.

Would make, of course, and excellent family read-aloud, w/ opportunities for discussion.

[Angela Colson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would recommend this book for young boys, but girls will like it too. Based on actual events in Harry Houdinis young life, this is an exciting little book about a few of his escapades. I did not know that Houdini was Jewish and an immigrant. This would be a great book for homeschoolers.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This brief fictionalized biography gives an interesting look at the childhood of Houdini, the great magician, when he was simply a young boy named Harry Weiss. The daring, strength, and determination that made him the world's greatest escape artist as an adult are well demonstrated in this factually based tale. Harry and his younger brother Dash are enamored with the circus and secretly work to replicate the feats of the tightrope walker with some surprising results.

Children in grades 3-4 will enjoy this quick read that, just as the series' name implies, will make a nice stepping stone between picture book biographies and authentic biographies.

[Christopher · Rating 3 out of 5]

This funny and readable account of Harry Houdini's early life in Appleton, Wisconsin, is well-researched and interesting. I like the inclusion of Houdini's family life and background. Also, I like the author's inclusion of the relationship between 7-year-old Harry and his younger brother, Dash. I didn't know that Houdini's interest in the escape arts began at such an early age. However, this story is really only an elaboration of one event--that of Harry's first attempt at rope tricks. Younger readers would enjoy the book but older readers I'm afraid would want more. There is really not a lot of information here.

[Robyn Crystal Larsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a gift from my brother in law-who also happens to be the illustrator!! Yeah! Read it with Joshua; he was intrigued with Harry Houdini and we need to check out other books about him as this book is simple and deals only with his childhood.

[Zoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

We loved this easy-to-read chapter book about the youth of Harry Houdini.