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This month participants are invited to read about magic tricks and magicians. This can be books that teach children how to perform "magic" tricks, or biographies of famous magicians.

Mind Tricks and Illusions to Boggle the Brain is an adequate introduction. I found another book by the author, Science Magic to Surprise and Captivate, less satisfying.

This is nephew #2's favorite topic. If I see him this week I'll try to ask him if he has any favorite books. He did his science fair project on magic last year.

I do hope he has some suggestions!

Pulling Back the Curtain on Magic!: Ready-to-Read Level 3
This book, for about 2nd-4th grade students, talks about the science behind magic tricks and illusions. It discusses the brain and attention, and how magicians use misdirection and distraction to keep the audience from noticing what they are really doing. The book includes one simple card trick, and brief biographical paragraphs about six famous magicians: Jean Eugene Robert-Houdin, Dante the Magician, Harry Blackstone Sr., Siegfried and Roy, and David Copperfield. A short quiz at the back tests whether readers were paying attention. An interesting look at the world of magic.

Any good bios on Houdini for kids 3rd to 5th grade interest level? Nephew is a little vague on his books. They're at home so I'll have to check his bookcase next time I'm there.

Card Tricks
This fun book of card tricks begins by describing everything a youngster needs to know about a deck of cards, how to hold them like a magician, and how to spread them out. Then the author details, step-by-step, 19 different card tricks with which to amuse one's friends. I actually tried out most of these tricks on my own, with myself as magician and audience, and most of the card tricks worked well as described. One caveat: probably best not to use a brand new pack of slick, slippery cards (which I did). It makes it harder to hold on to them and handle them the way described in the book. Otherwise, a lot of fun for budding magicians.

QNPoohBear wrote: "Any good bios on Houdini for kids 3rd to 5th grade interest level? Nephew is a little vague on his books. They're at home so I'll have to check his bookcase next time I'm there."

Good question. I know there was one that my school library had that I read more than once... but of course half a century ago.

QNPoohBear wrote: "Any good bios on Houdini for kids 3rd to 5th grade interest level? Nephew is a little vague on his books. They're at home so I'll have to check his bookcase next time I'm there."

I haven't read any of these, but they are chapter books rather than picture books:
Who Was Harry Houdini?
Harry Houdini: The Legend of the World's Greatest Escape Artist
Harry Houdini for Kids: His Life and Adventures with 21 Magic Tricks and Illusions (29)

Cheryl wrote: "QNPoohBear wrote: "Any good bios on Houdini for kids 3rd to 5th grade interest level? Nephew is a little vague on his books. They're at home so I'll have to check his bookcase next time I'm there."..."

I enjoyed number four of Ann Hood's The Treasure Chest series, Harry Houdini: Prince of Air but I do not remember much of the details.

The 4th grade teacher at my nephew's school may have the book recommendations. He said she showed them a magic trick that was really cool! His science fair project was on illusions (using mirrors). I'm a little sketchy on the details. That was SO long ago (last spring at the end of the school year LOL). He talks more when his teenage sister is moody and not talkative. It's hard for a much younger brother to get a word in when his sister is so chatty LOL! (My sister's son was a bit language delayed and my sister was convinced he had a learning issue and it turned out he COULD talk, he just didn't have the opportunity to do so because his sister and cousin talk non-stop!)

Hah! Funny, but sad at the same time. I tried, as a parent, to make sure each child got one-on-one time and also turns at the dinner table, but it's not easy!

Anything But Ordinary Addie: The True Story of Adelaide Herrmann, Queen of Magic
Few people remembered Addie after she passed away in 1932, until another female magician managed to find her memoir and published it in 2012. This book is primarily based on that book. Addie led a life full of adventure, and was her magician husband's assistant until he passed away. Then, she took over the magic show and continued it for 30 more years. This oversized book also has outstanding oversized illustrations by Italian illustrator Iagopo Bruno. Most of the illustrations have a layered look and are bursting with energy and color. A beautiful book to bring this amazing woman's life story to children.

Marvelous Magicians
This book is already thoroughly described on its main page. The author showcases each of eight famous magicians of the past on a double page spread, illustrated as if it were one of the magician's famous shows. She also highlights that magician's signature illusion. This is a fascinating book, crammed with illustrations and sidebars, that will encourage and inspire young wanna be magicians.

Those both look interesting! Too bad I didn't see your comments until Dec, but I'll look for the books nonetheless.

I'm late commenting but definitely want to follow this thread as my kids do enjoy magic. Our library summer reading program brought a magician to perform for the kids and they absolutely loved it! I don't have much to recommend off hand except that I really enjoyed the first in Neil Patrick Harris' middle grade series, The Magic Misfits. Perhaps not exactly what you're searching for on this thread as it is not a how-to book or biography of an actual magician, but I feel magic tricks and magicians are discussed enough that it would appeal to kids interested in the others.

I gave that book four stars, myself. I'm glad you stopped in this thread. And I'm glad your kids had that experience.

Kathryn wrote: "I'm late commenting but definitely want to follow this thread as my kids do enjoy magic. Our library summer reading program brought a magician to perform for the kids and they absolutely loved it! ..."

Yes, Kathryn, you can certainly post your reviews of this series, as other participants may find it worth looking for.