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Book Cover for: Houdini and Me, Dan Gutman

Houdini and Me

Dan Gutman

Harry has always admired the famous escape artist Houdini. And when Houdini asks for help in coming back to life, it seems like an amazing chance...or could it be Houdini's greatest trick of all?

Eleven-year-old Harry Mancini is NOT Harry Houdini--the famous escape artist who died in 1926. But Harry DOES live in Houdini's old New York City home, and he definitely knows everything there is to know about Houdini's life. What is he supposed to do, then, when someone starts texting him claiming that they're Houdini, communicating from beyond the grave? Respond, of course.

It's hard for Harry to believe that Houdini is really contacting him, but this Houdini texts the secrets to all of the escape tricks the dead Houdini used to do. What's more, Houdini's offering Harry a chance to go back in time and experience it for himself. Should Harry ignore what must be a hoax? Or should he give it a try and take Houdini up on this death-defying offer?

Dan Gutman is the award-winning author of series including My Weird School, The Genius Files, and the baseball card series, including Honus & Me. He uses his writing powers for good once again in this exciting new middle grade novel.

Named a New York State Great Read by the Empire State Center for the Book!

Book Details

  • Publisher: Holiday House
  • Publish Date: Oct 18th, 2022
  • Pages: 224
  • Language: English
  • Edition: undefined - undefined
  • Dimensions: 8.19in - 5.43in - 0.71in - 0.45lb
  • EAN: 9780823452569
  • Recommended age: 08-12
  • Categories: Science Fiction - Time TravelFantasy - GeneralGhost Stories

About the Author

Dan Gutman grew up in New Jersey loving sports, which inspired him as an adult to write his baseball card book series, that begins with Honus & Me, which was nominated for eleven state awards and adapted for television. Other titles of his include the My Weird School series, The Genius Files series, The Kid Who Ran for President, and much more. He lives with his wife and two kids in New York City. Houdini and Me is Dan's first title with Holiday House.

More books by Dan Gutman

Book Cover for: My Weirdtastic School #7: Mr. and Mrs. Phelps Need Some Help!, Dan Gutman
Book Cover for: My Weird School Special: Hip, Hip, Hooray! Every Day Is a Holiday!, Dan Gutman
Book Cover for: My Weird School Special: I'm a Poet and I Know It!, Dan Gutman
Book Cover for: My Weirdtastic School #6: Ms. Greene Is Mean!, Dan Gutman
Book Cover for: Miss Daisy Is Crazy!, Dan Gutman
Book Cover for: My Weird School Special: There's a Skunk in My Bunk!, Dan Gutman
Book Cover for: My Weirdtastic School #5: Mrs. Marge Is in Charge!, Dan Gutman
Book Cover for: My Weird School Christmas 3-Book Box Set: Miss Holly Is Too Jolly!, Dr. Carbles Is Losing His Marbles!, Deck the Halls, We're Off the Walls! a Christm, Dan Gutman
Book Cover for: The Homework Machine, Dan Gutman
Book Cover for: Mr. Klutz Is Nuts!, Dan Gutman
Book Cover for: My Weird School Daze 12-Book Box Set: Books 1-12, Dan Gutman
Book Cover for: My Weirdtastic School #1: Miss Banks Pulls Lots of Pranks!, Dan Gutman
Book Cover for: My Weird School Special: Oh, Valentine, We've Lost Our Minds!, Dan Gutman
Book Cover for: My Weird School Collection: Books 1 to 4, Dan Gutman
Book Cover for: My Weirdtastic School #4: Miss Nichol Is in a Pickle!, Dan Gutman
Book Cover for: My Weird School Special: No More School, April Fools!, Dan Gutman

Praise for this book

"magic is at the heart of Dan Gutman's new middle grade novel, Houdini and Me. . . . Gutman writes with a strong sense of place, and includes pictures of Morningside Heights along with the Houdini photos, so even non-New Yorkers will come away with a feel for the neighborhood and its charms"--The New York Times

"[H]umor and tension make this an appealing page-turner. . . . Funny, scary in the right moments, and offering plenty of historical facts." --Kirkus Reviews

"With quick writing and dialogue and fun facts about Houdini, this is an enjoyable read, especially for those interested in Houdini's life or magic." --School Library Journal

"Gutman (the My Weird School series) touches on profound topics through Harry's chatty narration, such as the boy's yearning for his late father. Interspersed with New York City facts and photographs of Houdini, this entertaining story ends, appropriately, with a touch of magic." --Publishers Weekly

"an amusing adventure that may well entice readers to further Houdini investigation." --The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"[The] first-person narration includes facts about Houdini's life and famous feats, illustrated with intriguing vintage photos. This chapter book delivers a fast-paced, amusing tale, followed by an informative and very readable author's note." --Booklist