Illustrator: Jason Lutes and Nick Bertozzi
Peach’s Picks Rating:
Year of publication: 2007
City of publication: New York
Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children
ISBN: 978-0-7868-3902-5
Author website:
Nick Bertozzi: http://nickbertozzi.com/index.htm
Jason Lutes: http://jlutes.wordpress.com/
Illustrator website: See information in the “Author website” entry
Media used for illustrations: Pencil drawing thumbnail sketches by Lutes; Bertozzi collaborated with Lutes using ink to refine and finish the panels
Annotation: Graphic novel that depicts a stunt performed by Harry Houdini in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Houdini experiences anti-Semitism and other obstacles, but manages to succeed. Flashbacks and back matter offer biographical information.
Personal reaction to the book: This graphic novel is a biography of Harry Houdini that focuses on one day in his life, May 1, 1908, when he jumped handcuffed from the Harvard Bridge in Cambridge, Massachusetts into the Charles River. Even though the authors chose to focus on that one day, they manage to offer readers a larger picture of Houdini’s life through flashbacks contained in the story and an introduction written by Glen David Gold. The introduction provides biographical information and frames Houdini’s life within the culture of 1908. Through flashbacks, the reader comes to know Houdini as a driven man who loves his wife and surmounts anti-Semitism. The author/illustrators created clean panels laid out across the pages in an even style. Three colors are used in the panels: black, white, and blue. The illustrations which utilize different orientations and perspectives add to the sense of drama and suspense. Several wordless panels move the action along. Blue endpapers complement the blue in the panels. Back matter explains the significance of select panels. A brief bibliography is included. One criticism – it is difficult to read the second and third pages of the introduction because the text is printed over light blue graphics.
General curricular connections:
- Biographies
- Harry Houdini
- Graphic novels
- Magic
- Reading for pleasure
Recommended grade levels:
School Library Journal recommends this book for use with grades 4-10
Booklist recommends this book for use with grades 6-9
Peach’s Picks recommends this book for use with grades 4-9
Awards/Recognitions:
Booklist starred review
Book Links starred review
Kirkus Review starred review
Note: This book applies to the assignment criteria – nonfiction graphic novel.
Allusion: Page 25; “There is one bond from which I would never attempt to escape!” Houdini shown holding up his hand displaying his ring finger alluding to the bonds of marriage.
Allusion: Page 53; “No Yale blue at Cambridge! Wear Harvard crimson. Harvard crimson or nothing.” This panel alludes to the rivalry between Harvard and Yale through the argument of school colors.
Symbolism: Page 31; Two heart shapes are floating above Houdini’s head symbolizing his love for his wife
Symbolism: Page 34; The question mark above Mr. Collins’ head and sweat flying from his head symbolize his nervousness and uncertainty
Onomatopoeia: Page 4; “Click”
Onomatopoeia: Page 5: “Tick, Tick”
Onomatopoeia: Page 17, “BOOF”
Onomatopoeia: Page 44; “DING”
Book cover picture retrieved from http://www.aclib.us/kids/good-reading/drawn-read
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