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Escape! The Story of the Great Houdini

(2006, Non-Fiction - Biography, Written by Sid Fleischman)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 7, age appropriate for kids over 8; suggested age 8.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Engrossing Houdini bio by kids' author/magician.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 8 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    You don't want your kids trying out Houdini's tricks, especially the needle swallowing.

  • Violence:

    Houdini's death-defying escapes. He dies of a burst appendix, possibly caused by being punched.

  • Sex:

    Not an issue.

  • Language:

    One use of "SOB."

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Mention of tobacco and alcohol.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Escape! The Story of the Great Houdini

Parents need to know that there is little to be concerned with in this biography, other than the possibility that kids may try to reproduce Houdini's feats.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about magic and Houdini's legacy. Why is he still so famous? Why was he so determined to debunk spiritualists? Why are these kinds of tricks so appealing? Kids may want to see modern magicians such as David Copperfield, and they may want to learn some tricks.
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