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BOOK CLUB
Houdini stories can make magical reading
Have you ever wished you could perform magic? Then you and your book club will have fun reading about Harry Houdini, a magician who freed himself from handcuffs and chains and made an elephant disappear on stage.
Tom Lalicki's "Danger in the Dark: A Houdini & Nate Mystery" tells the suspenseful story of a fatherless boy who teams with the great Houdini to outwit a plot to steal his inheritance.
Tom Lalicki's "Danger in the Dark: A Houdini & Nate Mystery" tells the suspenseful story of a fatherless boy who teams with the great Houdini to outwit a plot to steal his inheritance.
It is 1911, and 12-year-old Nate Fuller hates his summer job in a hat shop in New York City. Nate is also uneasy at home in the brownstone he shares with his mother and wealthy great-aunt. Strange nighttime gatherings have been taking place in the parlor since his aunt befriended an unpleasant and mysterious man.
When the absent-minded Houdini buys a new hat and forgets to pay for it, Nate is sent to Houdini's home to collect the money. Houdini's wife, Bess, offers cake to Nate and invites him and his mother to Houdini's performance the following evening.
Nate and his mother are amazed when Houdini, in handcuffs and leg irons, frees himself from inside a padlocked wicker basket. Even more wonderful, they are invited to meet Houdini in his dressing room.
When the absent-minded Houdini buys a new hat and forgets to pay for it, Nate is sent to Houdini's home to collect the money. Houdini's wife, Bess, offers cake to Nate and invites him and his mother to Houdini's performance the following evening.
Nate and his mother are amazed when Houdini, in handcuffs and leg irons, frees himself from inside a padlocked wicker basket. Even more wonderful, they are invited to meet Houdini in his dressing room.
When they tell Houdini about the strange man and the mysterious nighttime meetings at their home, Houdini is troubled. An expert in the ways people are tricked, Houdini suspects that the man has put a dangerous scheme in motion and hopes he and Nate will have time to stop it.
Book club ideas
Make animal crackers disappear and talk about magic powers you wish you had.
Read Kathleen Krull's "Houdini: World's Greatest Mystery Man and Escape King," "Harry Houdini: A Magical Life" by Elizabeth MacLeod, Sid Fleischman's "Escape! The Story of the Great Houdini" and Brian Selznick's "The Houdini Box." Learn magic with Peter Eldin's "Simple Magic" and "Magic With Cards."
You can also attend "Magical Mayhem" on April 28 at the Haugh Performing Arts Center at Citrus College, 1000 W. Foothill Blvd. in Glendora. For more information on the event, call (626) 963-9411.
Or you can see "Escape Reality" at Magicopolis, 1418 4th St. in Santa Monica. Call (310) 451-2241 or go to its website, http://www.magicopolis.com, for more information.
This is one in a series of stories on book clubs for kids. Look for more ideas every Sunday in Kids' Reading Room. Send your book club ideas to Jo Perry at BookClubFun@aol.com. Click here to read more Book Club columns.
Book club ideas
Make animal crackers disappear and talk about magic powers you wish you had.
Read Kathleen Krull's "Houdini: World's Greatest Mystery Man and Escape King," "Harry Houdini: A Magical Life" by Elizabeth MacLeod, Sid Fleischman's "Escape! The Story of the Great Houdini" and Brian Selznick's "The Houdini Box." Learn magic with Peter Eldin's "Simple Magic" and "Magic With Cards."
You can also attend "Magical Mayhem" on April 28 at the Haugh Performing Arts Center at Citrus College, 1000 W. Foothill Blvd. in Glendora. For more information on the event, call (626) 963-9411.
Or you can see "Escape Reality" at Magicopolis, 1418 4th St. in Santa Monica. Call (310) 451-2241 or go to its website, http://www.magicopolis.com, for more information.
This is one in a series of stories on book clubs for kids. Look for more ideas every Sunday in Kids' Reading Room. Send your book club ideas to Jo Perry at BookClubFun@aol.com. Click here to read more Book Club columns.
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