Escape! The Story of the Great Houdini

By: Sid Fleischman

Creigh Blodgett Bush 4/5

simplifying IT

Theme

“Not long ago the breast pocket snipped from a man’s pajama shirt came up in an auction in New York City.” (Fleischman 1)

The book Escape! The story of the great Houdini, is based on the life of the

famous escape artist harry Houdini. During the whole book, the author exploits

interesting facts about Houdini while captivating the reader and pressing on a story line. “

Young houdini was first exposed to sleight of hand magic at age ten by lifting pins with his

eyelids.” ( Fleischman 13) Though the author reflects much of Harry’s personality, the

arrogance allows the mood of the story to change. It almost seems that the thoughts of

others were influencing Houdini’s career greatly; after being called immortal and truly

magic, harry soon began to feel invincible.” Even the great harry Houdini had been caught

wondering if he had supernatural powers” ( Fleischman 79) The biography follows a

unique organizational pattern throughout the story. Instead of displaying events of

chronological order, Sid Fleischman begins the story by stating how Houdini had changed

the world. “Many know the great handcuff king as a great performer, but to others, he is

an inspirer.” ( Fleischman 12) After the introductory, Houdini’s life was portrayed through

facts in chronological order from his childhood at age 5 to his death.” As the great,

immortal Houdini lied in his death bed, he had escaped everything in his life, except a

common cold.”( Fleischman 159) This novel’s theme was such a great representation of a

biography because it followed such a simple theme and organizational format.

Did the Author try to change my opinion?

Of course, and quite well.

Yes, in this biography of harry Houdini, there were many author purposes.

However I believe that one of the more prevailent ones were the one about

persuasion. Sid Fleischman does very well at convincing me that Houdini is

arrogant, but great. The author supports every opinion of his with facts and

witnesses, as well as many pages of pictures to support the mood of the

scenario. I was convinced that harry housini was hard working and a great

pioneer for escape magic. However, it is not me who the author most likely

wished to persuade. Sid probably attempted to convince all the haters of Houdini

and the jealous people.

IT SUPPORT SOLUTIONS

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Harry Houdini, The

Handcuff King

simplifying IT

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^ The Great Harry Houdini

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The Tease

Everyone knows harry Houdini, but few

know just exactly who he actually was. Even he at

sometimes was confused about himself. This great

musician has been an inspiration for magic, and

showmanship to young people interested in the

arts. Houdini has escaped everything in his life

until now. He is now hanging from a 30 story

building, being beckoned to his death by the

straitjacket he’s attempting to escape from. But

this stunt wasn’t enough to hold the power of

Houdini to death. Houdini was great. Houdini was

arrogant. Houdini was a magician that would

inspire other magicians for decades on. But in the

end, everyone dies. How does this “immortal”

man die? Read the story Escape! The story of the

great Houdini to find out. Turns out the great

Houdini could except everything, but a common

cold.

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^Sid (Albert) Fleishman

Mr Bush is the coolest teacher alive

Sid Fleischman’s Biography

Sid Fleischman was born on March 16, 1920

in Brooklyn, New York. However, he is a longtime resident

of Santa Monica, California,. Sid’s birth name was actually

Albert. He is known as a U.S. and a Newbery Medal-winning

author of children's books. His parents were both from

Russia, of a Jewish heritage. He has two sisters, named

Pearl and Honey. Before becoming an author, he was a

professional magician, served in the U.S. Naval Reserve on

the USS Albert B. Harris, a destroyer escort in World War II,

and was a reporter for the San Diego Daily Journal until it

was discontinued in 1950. He graduated from San Diego

State University in 1949. He was married to Betty Taylor for

fifty-one years. In addition to writing books and newspapers,

Sid has also written many screenplays for movies. At one

point, him and his father have also worked together as the

only father-son team to be recognized for a Newbery medal-

winning book.