Starred Review Following Houdini on the morning of his leap (while handcuffed) into the frigid Boston River, readers gain a remarkably complete picture of his world. They will meet his wife, Bess; his strong-arm man, Beatty; reporters desperate to get a quote; and crowds hungry for a glimpse of him. Most of all, they get to know Houdini himself, who, as an extensive introduction notes, was probably the most famous man in the world at the time. Proud and obsessed th his skill, his fame, and his wife udini was a showman of the highest order who knew he represented hope to his adoring American public. He also knew that he had an unprecedented talent for self-hype. Avoiding overt, showy tricks themselves, Lutes and Bertozziuse clean, simple storytelling and crisp, clear black-and-white art to create not only a portrait of the man but also that sense of suspense and anticipation Houdini generated in his performances. Endnotes linked to specific pictures offer background on everything from anti-Semitism (Houdini was Jewish) to handcuffs. A bibliography of mostly older adult titles is appended.

A magician never reveals his secrets. But in this graphic novel about one of Houdini's underwater handcuff escapes, the author speculates that Houdini's wife, Bess, was more than a little involved. The three-color art panels are varied in design and orientation, adding drama to the story by changing readers' visual perspectives. An introduction and afterword give additional information.

Compelling black-and-white illustrations galvanize a moment in the life of revered magician Harry Houdini. Lutes explores the events up to and around Houdini's infamous 1908 feat: a daring jump from Harvard Bridge in which his hands and feet are bound in handcuffs. Though Lutes offers an examination of Houdini's masterful dedication to his craft, he also gives attention to some of the more serious issues in Houdini's life, including his devotion to his wife Bess, his commitment to science and disproving spiritual fraud and his encounters with anti-Semitism. Bertozzi's illustrations are simply spectacular, with many panels fluidly conveying motion and sound solely through his captivating art. There are many wordless passages that never fail to move the plot along and mesmerize the reader. As Glen David Gold forewarns in the introduction, this book may lend itself to multiple readings; and with helpful "panel notes" and bibliography, young readers are sure to investigate this fascinating life further. A straightforward snapshot in the life of renowned magician Harry Houdini, and a glimpse into a life of determination and perseverance. (Graphic format/biography. 11-15)

A single stunt from the sprawling career of the "handcuff king," Harry Houdini ("The man for whom the phrase 'kids, don't try this at home' might well have been invented," reads Glen David Gold's introduction), is the lynchpin of this brief, elegant book. But the authors intimate larger, at times darker themes (true love, arrogance, anti-Semitism) lurking around the outer edges. Houdini is an insecure man obsessed with fame, but also a faithful and devoted husband. As the story opens on May 1, 1908, he is preparing for a handcuffed jump from Harvard Bridge, chafing at badgering reporters and a flock of imitators who are stealing his tricks. Illustrations show him preparing to defeat the handcuffs, and wordless panels ultimately allow readers to witness the escape process in its entirety. Houdini himself comes off as a flawed but respectable man, whose principles make him both exceptional at what he does and difficult to be around. Several pages of historical notes fill in the details. Lutes and Bertozzi successfully offer a tiny snapshot as a way into a very large life. Ages 10-up. <EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">(Apr.)

Gr 4-10 An interesting fictional account of Harry Houdini's jump from Harvard Bridge in Cambridge, MA, on May 1, 1908. The action moves a bit slowly, but the story demonstrates one of the possible secrets of Houdini's escapesmany have theorized that his wife slipped him keys or lock picks via a kiss. An introduction and discussions of specific panels at the end give further information about the magician, his knack for promotion, and his hard work figuring out countless ways to escape handcuffs, sealed containers, etc. The black, white, and gray drawings are reasonably goodwhile at times they are flat, the tight focus on the action keeps the story moving. If you have patrons interested in Houdini, escape artists, or graphic novels about real people, this would be a useful addition. Nancy Kunz, Tuckahoe Public Library, NY

In this fascinating graphic novel, Lutes and Bertozzi artistically delve into some of the mystery surrounding the life of Harry Houdini by offering a possible explanation of how he was able to escape from almost anything and by highlighting his influences, including his thirst for fame and the powerful relationship with his wife. The format will instantly draw a lot of attention from readers and then hold on to it. Lutes and Bertozzi use grayscale comic panels to share their story about the life of Harry Houdini in a unique way. Although some readers might prefer full color, the black-and-white art actually fits well with the time frame in which the book is set. Enabled by this great use of format, the reader steps into Houdini's shoes and learns a lot about the character of this intriguing man, who lived long ago but remains famous today. Great starting points for discussion and extension based on select comic panels lend themselves well to further learning about areas related to Houdini and the world in which he lived, providing wonderful features for educators who might choose this novel for the classroom. The facts presented in the story and panel discussions are supported by a bibliography. The book resembles a hybrid between fiction and nonfiction, and the ingenious choice of format will appeal to a broad age range of readers.-Dawn Talbott.