Synopses & Reviews
Presenting the amazing Harry Kellar! The first magician to receive international fame! The most well-known illusionist at the turn of the twentieth century! The model for the Wizard of Oz! Author Gail Jarrow follows Kellar from a magicians assistant traveling and performing across the United States during the Civil War to an international superstar with a show of his own, entertaining emperors, kings, and presidents. Jarrow uses Kellars own words and imageshis amazing four-color promotional postersto tell his riveting story in this first Kellar biography for young readers. And she reveals the science behind Kellars illusions and explores nineteenth-century entertainment and transportation as well as the history of magic, spiritualism, and séances.
Review
* andquot;A first-rate visual presentation accompanies a fascinating biography of the first dean of the Society of American Magicians, a man Houdini regarded as a mentor. . . . Dozens of spectacular Kellar posters along with a dramatic book design nicely support this well-constructed look at a consummate showman. (timeline, bibliography, annotated sources)andquot; --Kirkus Reviews, starred review
Review
* andquot;This book draws readers in. . . . An excellent example of nonfiction that is readable, visually appealing, and well researched.andquot; --School Library Journal, starred review
Synopsis
Presenting the amazing Harry Kellar: the first magician to receive international fame and the model for the Wizard of Oz
In this illustrated biography of the most well-known illusionist at the turn of the twentieth century, Author Gail Jarrow follows Kellar from a magician's assistant traveling and performing across the United States during the Civil War to an international superstar with a show of his own, entertaining emperors, kings, and presidents.
Jarrow uses Kellar's own words and images--his amazing four-color promotional posters--to tell his riveting story in this first Kellar biography for young readers. And she reveals the science behind Kellar's illusions and explores nineteenth-century entertainment and transportation as well as the history of magic, spiritualism, and s ances.
About the Author
Gail Jarrow's nonfiction books have received numerous awards and distinctions, including a YALSA Award Nomination, Orbis Pictus Recommended Book, Kirkus Reviews Best Book, and a VOYA Honor Book. Red Madness is her fifth book for Calkins Creek. A graduate of Duke University and Dartmouth College, Gail has a degree in zoology and has taught science in grades four through eight. She lives in Ithaca, New York. Visit gailjarrow.com.