Review by Booklist Review
You control the forces of the universe! begins this upbeat introduction to magic that slyly folds science and math concepts into clearly explained tricks with lively names, such as Give It Up for Gravity! Each lively spread, illustrated with digitally rendered cartoons, begins with step-by-step instructions for carrying out the tricks, most involving common household items; and the added script suggestions for what to say, as well as what to do, are particularly welcome. Also included on each spread are What's Going On text boxes that discuss concepts ( Geometry is your secret assistant in this trick ), as well as interesting related facts, often displayed in colorful text balloons. Becker shows that young people's ingenuity has long contributed to magic history: in 1869, for example, a 16-year-old American discovered that lemon juice could be used to make invisible ink. Teachers may want to borrow ideas for interactive classroom fun, while a closing Magician's Survival Guide offers tips for putting together an independent show. Fun and instructive for a wide age range of aspiring illusionists.--Engberg, Gillian Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-6-Budding magicians will be delighted by this new addition to the genre. Thirty tricks are presented covering optical illusions, mind reading, "math magic," chemistry, and physics. All directions are clear and easy to follow. Interesting tidbits as well as a cogent explanation of how the tricks work appear in separate text boxes. The digital cartoon illustrations are nicely executed and add flashes of humor to each of the scenarios. Information is also provided on the history of magic, famous hoaxes, performance tips, and the science concepts explored in the various tricks. A welcome addition that should vanish off library shelves.-Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ (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.
