Unable to open the box, and concluding that it couldn't have belonged to the great magician anyway, Victor forgets it until years later when, playing baseball with his son Harry, the ball happens to land on Houdini's grave and he learns his original name: Ehrich Weiss. Come to my house.'' But it's the day of Houdini's death the grieving widow hands Victor a locked box with the initials E.W. Eventually, it arrives: ``A thousand secrets await you. Spying Houdini himself in a railroad station, he begs for his secrets and is promised a letter.

From Kirkus Reviews:Ī fervent admirer of Houdini, ten-year-old Victor tries to emulate his feats, but to no avail: getting out of locked trunks and holding his breath for 5000 seconds are beyond his powers. Selznick divides his time between Brooklyn, New York, and San Diego, California.

Martin and Laura Godwin, and The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins by Barbara Kerley, which was a Caldecott Honor Book. He is also the illustrator of many books for children, including Frindle and Lunch Money by Andrew Clements, as well as the Doll People trilogy by Ann M.

Selznick divides his time between Brooklyn, New York, and San Diego, California.īrian Selznick is the author and illustrator of the bestselling The Invention of Hugo Cabret, which was awarded the Caldecott Medal and was a National Book Award finalist. Brian Selznick is the author and illustrator of the bestselling The Invention of Hugo Cabret, which was awarded the Caldecott Medal and was a National Book Award finalist.

The houdini box by brian selznick