This is a great book about a boy named Jack who was shuttled from foster home to foster home, not finding a place that was comfortable. At the beginning of this book, he goes to live with the Professor. The Professor had made a deal with an evil magician who wanted to be better than Harry Houdini. The Professor had to give up his soul to the magician, but he sent Jack instead. Jack opened a chest in the professor’s room and found that he was invited to see a very special show. He later found out that he was lured to act in one of his shows and he had to take on dangerous magic tricks. Fortunately, Jack was a handcuff escape artist and he surprised the evil macigician. I think the book is well-written; it has lots of action and teaches you a little bit about Harry Houdini. The author uses lots of descriptive words that tells you a lot about Jack’s adventure, almost making you feel like you are in the book.
Review by Angela Pratt, Hillsdale Elem. School Media Center
Rating: 5 Stars
Interest Level: Grades 4-6, and older
The Carnival of Lost Souls (A Handcuff Kid Novel)
Written by Laura Quimby
Amulet / Abrams
352 p.
Release Date: Oct. 1, 2010
ISBN: 9780810989801
This reminds me of “The Mysterious Benedict Society” which was very good too. I would lkie to get this one.