W is for Weisz aka Houdini: Books about Immigrant Magician and Escape Artist, Harry Houdini

Erich Weisz was born in Budapest, Hungary in 1874, and moved with his family to Wisconsin when he was a child. Erich changed his name to Harry Houdini when he became a magician at the age of 20 - Harry was similar to his childhood nickname "Ehrie" and "Houdini" was in honor of a famous French Magician named Houdin.

More than his ability in magic, Houdini gained fame as an escape-artist, and performed shows all over the country, and even in Europe. His acts included escaping from handcuffs, straightjackets, water-filled tanks and packing crates. Houdini's most famous act was the Chinese Water Torture Cell, in which he escaped after being suspended upside down by his feet in a locked glass cabinet, after managing to hold his breath for more than three minutes to escape. 

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Children's Books: 

A Picture Book of Harry Houdini
David Adler (Author), Michael Adler (Author), Collins Matt (Illustrator)
Publisher: Holiday House (2010)
Ages: 4-8 yrs; Grades: 1-3
​Review: Amazon Reviews 4.5*

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​Harry Houdini (Kids Can Read)
Elizabeth MacLeod (Author),  John Mantha (Illustrator)
Publisher: Kids Can Press (2009)
Ages: 6-8 yrs; Grades: 1-3
​Review: Amazon Reviews 4.5*

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Who Was Harry Houdini?
Tui Sutherland (Author),  
​John O'Brien and Nancy Harrison (Illustrators)
Publisher: Grosset and Dunlap (2002)
Ages: 8-12 yrs; Grades: 3-7
​Review: Amazon Reviews 4.5*

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