Review by Booklist Review
Gr. 2-4. While shopping for the ingredients for his latest trick (an onion that turns into an ice cream sundae), aspiring magician Herman "Houdini" Foster and his cousin Janet Perry learn a thief is loose in the supermarket. Houdini deduces that the burglar must be "borrowing" unattended carts, wheeling them to another aisle, and removing money from purses. Despite admonitions from the security guard, the young sleuths set out to solve the crime. Short chapters, large print, and frequent black-and-white sketches that break up the text make this an inviting first chapter book. Directions for performing the Onion Sundae Trick are a bonus. (Reviewed September 1, 1994)0679846972Kay Weisman
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-4-Another mini-mystery from Adler. Herman Foster (who prefers to be called Houdini) loves to do magic tricks. He has formed a club with his cousin Janet-the narrator-and other friends. At their next meeting, Houdini plans to perform the Onion Sundae Trick, in which he switches an onion for a jar of chocolate sauce, but he must get the ingredients first. When he and Janet arrive at the grocery store, they overhear a woman say that her money has been stolen. They hear the same complaint from other customers, and decide to find the culprit. They manage to help nab the thief and still get to their meeting to demonstrate the trick. Directions are included for aspiring magicians. An acceptable addition, with occasional black-and-white illustrations, for readers who like quick mysteries.-Lesley McKinstry, Findlay-Hancock County Public Library, OH (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Ten-year-old cousins Herman 'Houdini' Foster and Janet Perry combine super sleuthing, magic, and humor when they help nab a crook at the local supermarket. Likable characters, along with fast-paced, brief chapters, will entertain newly independent readers. Also included for magic aficionados are complete instructions for changing an onion into a jar of chocolate sauce. From HORN BOOK 1994, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
