Tom Lalicki

From Dec 2009 SLJ
12-year-old Nate Fuller returns to solve another mystery alongside his famous mentor, Harry Houdini. In 1911 Manhattan, a prominent stockbroker is the victim of a gruesome murder just weeks before Christmas. Nate is shocked when his good friend Ace, who works for Houdini, is arrested as the Fifth Avenue Slasher. Both Nate and Houdini are sure that Ace has been framed, but the District Attorney, up for re-election and wanting to put closure on the case, is unwilling to see beyond the incriminating evidence. Nate and Houdini enter the seamy Bowery district to track down the clues that will exonerate their friend. Meanwhile, a younger cousin Nate never knew about is dropped off on the Fuller doorstep by her father, who is eager to head west to seek his fortune. While young Allie’s presence seems to be an unnecessary distraction through much of the story, she does play a part in the resolution. Lalicki’s research into the period and his extensive knowledge of Harry Houdini are evident. As with the past adventures, the coincidences stack up a little too neatly, but the rollicking action and tough-talking and colorful characters of the era are appealing. Purchase where the first two installments of the series are popular.… (lisätietoja)

To start, I had no misconception that this was anything other than a young adult book. However, Tom Lalicki's retelling of a daring Civil War raid by Union Colonel Benjamin Grierson through the deep South, was done so kept me interested in reading the next page.

The book recounts an unbelievable sixteen day escapade from La Grange, TN to Baton Rouge, then in Union possession. As the colonel notes, he guided his raiders 600 miles in just under 16 days. They not only wreaked havoc along the way, Grierson's brigade successfully distracted confederate attention from General Grant's groundwork before conquering Vicksburg.

In Grierson's Raid, Mr Lalicki's writing took me back to my middle school library as I read of other war exploits, lost boys in Montana mountains or fictional books geared to young boys. The story telling was honest and neither glorified nor downplayed death and the stresses of war.… (lisätietoja)

Lalicki, Tom. Danger in the Dark: A Houdini & Nate Mystery. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2006.

Annotation:
In this first of a series, twelve year old Nathaniel G. Makeworthy Fuller lives in New York City in the early 1900s. He resides with his widowed mother and his also widowed, wealthy great-aunt. By chance, Nate meets the famous Houdini and soon the pair is busy attempting to expose a fraud who is trying to steal from the Great-aunt by acting as a medium. Nate escapes from several close calls, and he and Houdini are successful in spoiling the plot against his great-aunt.

Age recommendation:
This book is best suited to children between the ages of 8 to 12. It is somewhat lengthy, and has several plot twists that would likely confuse younger children. After the age of 8, many children can follow more challenging plot lines. Children in this age group also like to read about peers, especially when the characters have some independence and are involved in adventures. These children would also be more interested in the historical details about New York City and especially about Houdini.

Use:
I would do a book talk of this book to 3rd and 4th graders. I would begin by giving a brief introduction to Houdini, because some students may have never heard of him. For an extension activity, students could further research some of the “technology” used in the book (telegrams, early telephones, handsome cabs…). Students could also do more detailed research about Houdini.… (lisätietoja)