• Age: 6 to 8
• Grade: 1 to 3

Harry Houdini is still the world's most famous magician --- thanks to his inventive tricks, death-defying stunts and incredible talent for publicity. He claimed he could escape from anything! The immigrant son of a rabbi, Harry overcame grueling poverty to become a one-man phenomenon, wowing audiences around the world.

Harry happily hung upside down from skyscrapers, leapt into rivers in chains and survived in an airless coffin --- but driving a car made him nervous. He also starred in six Hollywood movies, some still available on video. This biography in the Snapshots: Images of People and Places in History series introduces young readers to the multitalented, mysterious and contradictory man behind the tricks, escapes and dangerous feats.

Liz is one nosy author, which is why she loves writing non-fiction. She’s very curious about why people do what they do, and likes sharing with kids the amazing facts and secrets that she uncovers.As a kid in Thornhill, Ontario, the idea of being a writer never crossed Liz’s mind—she figured most authors were already dead and they definitely weren’t Canadian. Besides, it was science that interested Liz.But writing was already part of Liz’s life. After dinner on school nights, Liz and her two brothers would trudge up to their rooms, close their doors and start to do their homework—or so their parents thought. A few minutes later, a piece of paper would come sliding under Liz’s door. One of her brothers had drawn a picture, usually of some weird creature.Liz really couldn’t draw (still can’t!), so the only way she could respond was to write a short story, often about a mad scientist or space alien. She would slip the story under her brother’s door and—well, not a lot of homework got done.At university, Liz studied sciences—there was hardly any writing involved at all. But after university, she was hired as an editor at OWL magazine, where she could combine writing and her love of science. But it wasn’t long before Liz had a goal: to write a book. Her first one was about lions and since then she’s written more than fifty others.Royal Murder: The Deadly Intrigue of Ten Sovereigns (2008) is one of her favourite books because royalty has always fascinated Liz. She loved going behind the scenes with monarchs from Cleopatra to Dracula to find out just what they would do to hold onto power or protect their families.Bones Never Lie: How Forensics Helps Solve History’s Mysteries (2013) was the winner of numerous awards, including the Crime Writers of Canada 2014 Arthur Ellis Award in the Juvenile/YA category. Liz’s latest book with Annick Press, Galloping Through History: Incredible True Horse Stories (Spring 2015), combines, once again, her outstanding storytelling skills with her passion for history. This time her love of animals also shines through as she recounts the stories of six horses that changed the way humans live, travel, fight, work, and play.Liz lives in Toronto with her husband, Paul, and their cat Cosimo. While she writes, he is usually sprawled across her desk—often right on the book she needs for research!

Elizabeth MacLeod's profile page

• Short-listed, Alberta Children's Choice Rocky Mountain Book Award
• Winner, Hackmatack Children's Choice Book Award

[P]lenty of information to intrigue and even surprise readers.

School Library Journal

[R]eaders interested in Houdini and magic will be entertained and enlightened.

Booklist

Harry Houdini: A Magical Life

Magic and mystery! Nothing intrigues a reader more. To find both attributes in a well-presented biographical collection is a sure-fire way to spur a youngster’s imagination.

Harry Houdini: A Magical Life by Elizabeth MacLeod who once again demonstrates her ability to narrate a fascinating life-story. She describes how “through determination, hard work and incredible talent, Harry changed the world of magic forever.”

MacLeod has incorporated actual photographs, play bills, press releases and news clippings to illustrate chapters of Harry’s life, from his birth as Ehrich Weisz, son of an immigrant rabbi, to the world renowned illusionist and escape artist. There is a useful two-page timeline that encapsulates his colourful life, with intriguing facts: his collection of more than 5,000 books and posters about magic is part of the American Library of Congress, and how his body was buried in the same coffin he’d brought along on his 1926 tour. MacLeod uses Harry’s own philosophy for success with children: “Never try to fool children. They expect nothing and therefore see everything.”

Harry Houdini: A Magical Life (Snapshots: Images of People and Places in History)

Meet Harry Houdini, world-famous magician. Learn about the man behind the tricks, escapes and spectacularly dangerous feats. Readers will find photos and quotes inside.