The Houdini Box by Brian Selznick
Alfred A Knox, New York, 1991
Hardcover, 56 pages
ISBN: 978-0-6799-1429-7
Suggested reading age: 7+
Reviewed by: Indrani Perera
Rating: ****
As a kid I can remember being fascinated by magicians, especially Harry Houdini. I remember reading about how he did his magic tricks and trying to escape from ropes tied around my wrist. The hero of this story is much the same as that little Indrani. A young boy fascinated by Harry Houdini tries to escape from a locked suitcase and hold his breath under water for as long as he can. One day, a chance encounter with Houdini leads to the boy being given a locked box by the magician. What does it hold? Will it reveal Houdini's secrets?
This book is longer than a picture book but doesn't have chapters. It would suit readers who are growing out of picture books but not quite ready for a long chapter book. Beautiflu pencil illustrations accompany the story.