“The perfect book for adolescent readers—especially boys—who like humor combined with characters that seem completely real. [A] satisfying novel that will leave readers happy they met Houdini.” - Providence Journal
“A middle-schooler writes a kids’ novel; an author writes an engaging, amiable read-and, presto, a tale about a boy nicknamed Houdini turns out magical. . . . By turns poignant and downright hilarious, Houdini’s story/novel is delivered in a voice that’s wonderfully authentic.” - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“Johnson (Loserville) delivers a strong contemporary urban novel with cross-gender appeal. . . . Johnson offers solid insights into the varied well-drawn characters, and readers will appreciate Houdini’s realization that ‘writing makes you think very hard about things.’” - Publishers Weekly
“A bit grittier and more believably boylike than most contemporary first-person narratives, this novel has a lot of heart as well. And while a narrator who makes lists is common enough, Houdini’s are decidedly more amusing than most.” - Booklist
