Escape! The Story of the Great Houdini by Sid Fleischman

If you are interested in magic chances are you know something about Harry Houdini. He is the most well-known American magician of all time, and he is most famous for his amazing escapes. This is a guy who would lock himself upside down in a barrell full of water and somehow free himself minutes later. He could get out of any handcuffs or chains, break any lock, and swallow hundreds of needles. This book won't tell you how he did his tricks, but it tells you how he performed the biggest trick of all--turning himself from a poor, short, immigrant kid into a wealthy and legendary magician. If you want to know about him, this is the book to read. The author, a magician and writer himself, even knew Houdini's wife, Bess. I have to confess that I think the writing in this book is often overdone--too full of colorful language and strange metaphors, but it is entertaining and you will learn a lot.