“Good, honest, educated people… had ‘surrendered themselves to belief in the most monstrous fiction.'”

Harry Houdini is arguably the best escape artist and one of the most famous magicians in America’s history. Magic and ghosts- one would think they would go hand in hand, but Harry Houdini proved they are a combustive mix.  Brokenhearted at the death of his mother, Houdini sought to understand the afterlife, and so began his fascination with mediums and believers of Spiritualism. However, his fascination became a zealous pursuit of frauds, which led to the severing of friendships. “If convincing evidence is brought forward I will be the first to acknowledge my mistake.”

There have been many biographies on Houdini for readers of all ages. What makes this particular work so unique and interesting is that it focuses on Houdini’s investigations of ghosts and mediums. The book delves into the history of Houdini and the rise (and falls) of Spiritualism, with side notes and relevant photographs of the time.

This nonfiction work is perfect for upper elementary and middle school readers who are interested in investigation processes or ghosts in general. It also serves as a great reminder in this digital age that you cannot always believe what you see and keeping an open mind does not mean turning off your brain.