Krull, Kathleen. 2005. HOUDINI: WORLD’S GREATEST MYSTERY MAN AND ESCAPE KING. New York: Walker & Company.
ISBN 0802789536.

In this brief picture book biography, Kathleen Krull introduces young readers to Harry Houdini, born Erik Weiss of Budapest, who became the world’s foremost escape artist at the beginning of the 19^th century. The timeline traces Erik’s drive for fame from his self-taught trapeze act at age eight through his teenage athletic achievements (some self-bestowed) to his fascination with the life of the French founder of modern magic, Jean-Eugene Robert-Houdin and his subsequent change of identity to focus on magic and “the art of the escape.” The book recounts how Houdini became famous with his daring escapes from chains, handcuffs, and even locked water-filled cabinets, then ends with a Behind the Scenes note giving further particulars of Houdini’s life, philosophy, and details of his death in 1926.

Interspersed with the story of Houdini’s life are double-page snapshot spreads showcasing his stage performances: The Milk Can Escape, The Metamorphosis (with his wife Bess), and The Underwater Handcuff Release, The Water Torture Cell, and The Suspended Straitjacket Escape. “Velasquez's impressive framed, posed oil paintings portray the magician's intensity and sense of showmanship. Most of the illustrations feature Houdini and his performances, and the design and varied layout are very effective.” (School Library Journal, 2005)

The text is interesting, giving young readers an overview of Houdini’s accomplishments and emphasizing his dedication to his craft, appreciation of learning, and devotion to family. Personal quotes bring out the man behind the stage actor. A bibliography is included for interested readers to find out more about this real-life superhero who, 80 years after his death, remains “the most famous name in magic.”

Reviews and Awards

Booklist review: “In this biography of one of history's most successful showmen, Krull's expository narrative periodically pauses to revisit the old-fashioned theater depicted in the splashy title-page sequence. These clever interludes feature vivid, free-verse poems that cast children as audience members at Houdini's most fabled performances.”

School Library Journal review: “An attractive, oversize picture-book biography. Framed descriptions of some of Houdini's most famous stunts are interspersed within the overview of his life. The author's crisp narrative style and careful choice of detail are evident here. Readers get a sense of Houdini's commitment, determination, and dedication to his family.

Connections

One third grade class I know made lifesize paper cutouts of themselves, then “dressed” their paper doll as their chosen biographee and displayed them next to their written biography reports outside the classroom in the hallway for everyone passing by to admire. And of course it would be great fun to invite a local magician to the library to present a demonstration of magical illusions.

Other picture book biographies by Kathleen Krull:

Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chaves, 2003

Wilma Unlimited: How Wilma Rudolph Became the World’s Fastest Woman, 2000

The Boy on Fairfield Street: How Ted Geisel Grew Up to Become Dr. Seuss, 2004

Albert Einstein (Giants of Science series), 2009

Simon, Seymour. 2006 (revised edition). THE BRAIN: OUR NERVOUS SYSTEM. New York: HarperCollins.

ISBN 9780060877187.

In this informational title for children, award-winning author Seymour Simon introduces readers to the anatomy and function of the human brain. “Wiggle your toes. Scratch your nose…Think about what you would like to do tomorrow…Your brain is the control center for everything you do.” This visually engaging title in Simon’s Human Body series presents the latest facts about brain structure and the current theories regarding brain function, and was produced in conjunction with the Smithsonian and Dr. Orli R. Etingin (mentioned in the acknowledgments).

The expository text examines how the brain is organized from the smallest microscopic neuron cells to the brain portions of the cerebrum, cerebellum, and stem, then expands to cover the spinal cord and the brain’s interaction with the rest of the body through nerves.

The visually appealing images are colorful and interesting, produced by various kinds of technologically advanced equipment: scanning electron microscopes, x-rays, and positron computed tomography. The authoritative text is straightforward and age-appropriate, clearly explaining complex ideas without sounding simplistic.

Browsable yet thorough, Simon again demonstrates his enthusiasm for the world around us, encouraging young readers to think, explore, and be amazed. “Simon has a knack for piquing the curiosity of youngsters and clearly communicating scientific facts. The Brain, written for ages 8 and older, is a solid launching pad for further investigation of the organ that makes us who we are.“ (Amazon Review, 1997) Readers can visit the author’s blog at http://www.seymourscience.com.

Reviews and Awards

Kirkus Reviews: “Full-color photographs, computer simulations, drawings, and three-dimensional models are used to grand effect to clarify, explain, and celebrate the remarkably complex system of brain and nerves… a case in which the picture-book format works perfectly to complement text with illustrations, but by no means indicates simplicity."

Booklist review: “The vivid illustrations catch the eye, but the clearly written text provides a fuller understanding of what happens in various parts of the brain and nervous system. The relatively large print and generous use of white space make the text look easy... Simon's way of explaining what's happening in everyday terms enhances the book's readability.”

School Library Journal review: “His clear, concise writing style is complemented by stunning color images taken with radiological scanners, such as CAT scans, MRIs, and SEMs (scanning electron microscopes.) Included in his explanation are descriptions of the anatomy and function of the parts of the brain, long and short term memory, neurons, dendrites, and more.”

Seymour Simon has been called "the dean of the [children's science book] field" by the New York Times. He has written more than 200 books for young readers and is the recipient of the Science Books & Films Key Award for Excellence in Science Books, the Empire State Award for excellence in literature for young people, and the Educational Paperback Association Jeremiah Ludington Award. (Barnes and Noble Author Biography, 2009)

Titles in his Human Body series have garnered these awards:

The Brain: Our Nervous System - NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children, 1998

Eyes and Ears, 2003 - NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children, 2003

Bones: Our Skeletal System, 2000 - NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children, 1999

Guts: Our Digestive System, 2005 - NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children, 2005

Connections

I like the idea of a “Did You Know?” poster where children could list their favorite fast facts about a subject and add their own artwork to illustrate the concepts. For a unit on the human body, children could work with a partner to draw a life-sized outline of their body, cut it out, hang it up for display, and draw on the body systems as they are studied. Fun poems about each body part could also be printed and pasted on. A photo of each child’s face could be printed and pasted to personalize the drawing.

Other books by Seymour Simon about the human body:
The Heart: Our Circulatory System, 2006
Muscles: Our Muscular System, 2000
The Human Body, 2008
Lungs: Your Respiratory System, 2007

Note: some of these titles were originally published in the late 1990s and revised approximately ten years later with new pictures and updated text. Dates given are for the revised editions.

Murphy, Jim. 2003. AN AMERICAN PLAGUE: THE TRUE AND TERRIFYING STORY OF THE YELLOW FEVER EPIDEMIC OF 1793. New York: Clarion Books.

ISBN 0395776082.

In this dramatic account, Jim Murphy brings to life a horrifying episode in American history, giving readers first hand descriptions of the doctors, politicians, and residents who battled the yellow fever epidemic with few resources and little help from the local government. The book traces the course of the disease as it spread from a single neighborhood to envelop the entire city of Philadelphia, then the capital of the newly formed United States, containing nearly 51,000 inhabitants. While efforts were made to contain the disease, they were almost totally ineffectual as the cause of the disease was unknown and medical science was in its infancy. Little could be done to avoid contagion, and historians estimate that 25,000 people fled the city while as many as 5,000 people died between August and November 1793.

The author possesses a reputation for outstanding research and includes many pages of source notes. The book itself is attractive, with interesting cover art, well laid-out pages with numerous illustrations, quotations, and even poetry. “Hot dry winds forever blowing/Dead men to the grave-yards going/Constant hearses/Funeral verses/Oh! What plagues – there is no knowing!” The writing style is straightforward and communicates the subject matter clearly, resulting in a version that is as absorbing and readable as fiction.

Murphy explains that few artists or engravers from the 1790s documented the plague visually, but he included in his book many images to “help readers imagine what the city was like back then – the narrow streets, the press of people, and so on.” Engravings, paintings, copies of newspaper articles, handwritten letters, and medical journal treatises are included, giving the text authenticity and immediacy. “Black-and-white reproductions of period art, coupled with chapter headings that face full-page copies of newspaper articles of the time, help bring this dreadful episode to life” (SLJ, 2003).

Reviews and Awards

Kirkus Reviews: “Drawing heavily on primary sources, Murphy takes readers through the epidemic, moving methodically from its detection by the medical community; through its symptoms, treatment, and mortality; its effects on the populace, and what Philadelphia did to counter it. "

Booklist review: “History, science, politics, and public health come together in this dramatic account of the disastrous yellow fever epidemic that hit the nation’s capital more than 200 years ago.”

School Library Journal review: “The author masterfully weaves facts and fascinating stories in describing the course of the disease and the heroic roles played by a few doctors and the free African-American citizens of the city. Murphy chronicles this frightening time with solid research and a flair for weaving facts into fascinating stories… An afterword explains the yellow fever phenomenon, its causes, and contemporary outbreaks, and source notes are extensive and interesting.”

Winner Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award, 2004
Newbery Honor Book, 2004
YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, 2004
ALSC Notable Children’s Books, 2004
Finalist Young People's Literature National Book Award, 2003
NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12, 2003

Connections

Create a time period display by having children locate books that deal with persons, politics, clothing, trade, or other aspects of life in the 18th century: whaling, artisans, Benjamin Franklin, etc. Children could write short booktalks about their selections, which could be printed on colored cardstock to make promotional bookmarks. One could also gather other titles by Jim Murphy to create an author display.

Other historical nonfiction books by Jim Murphy:
The Great Fire, 2006
The Real Benedict Arnold, 2007
Inside the Alamo, 2003