The Houndini Box

The Houdini Box
Brian Selznick
Aladdin Paperbacks, 1991
Pages: 64
Reading Level: 6-10
Genre: Picture Book, Historical Fiction

The Houdini Box is about a little boy named Victor. He loves Houdini, and wants very much to be just like him when he grows up. Victor is constantly trying to get himself out of locked boxes, just like Houdini, but ends up just getting locked in. He tries to hold his breath for a long time, and pushing through walls, but was never successful. His mother is worried about him so she sends him to stay with his aunt in the country for a little while, to clear his head. While waiting for his train at the train station, Victor spots Houdini! He runs up to him and starts asking question after question. Houdini tells him to give him his address, and he will write him a letter. Victor is so excited when he gets the letter, but he is even more excited when he reads it. Houdini invited him over to his house! Victor runs over and knocks on Houdini's door and his wife answers. Victor shows her the note, and she walks away. She comes back with a box and tears in her eyes and tells Victor that Houdini died that day. Victor is very sad. When he gets home he tries to open the box, but it is locked. He notices on the bottom that it says E.W. Victor was crushed because he thinks it's not even Houdini's box. He is so sad that he vows to never do magic again. Victor grows up and gets married, and one day while he is playing baseball with his son, the ball lands on Houdini's grave. He realizes Houdini's real name was Enrich Weiss...E.W! He goes home and finds the box and gets it open...that night he locked himself in the trunk...and got out.

I would recommend this book to children who have lost someone important in their lives.

I don't see this book causing any problems

My reaction: This book is okay. It's good, but not great

My rating:***