Chained, Bruised, and Reading: The Real Magic Behind Houdini

In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes picture book author Barb Rosenstock to talk about her captivating new title, Houdini’s Library. Drawing on her deep love of history and storytelling, Barb shares how a tiny sign at the Library of Congress—“Houdini Collection” —sparked years of research and ultimately this book.

Barb and Jed dive into the real Harry Houdini: not just the “handcuff king” and daring escape artist, but a relentless learner who built a massive working library of magic books. Barb explains that Houdini, who likely had only a second‑ or third‑grade education, used books to teach himself everything—from escapes to showmanship to public relations. They talk about how he studied older tricks, respected the magicians who came before him, and combined ideas to create something new—powerful lessons for kids about persistence, creativity, and hard work.

Barb also highlights the team effort behind both Houdini’s performances and her own books, reminding listeners that big achievements are almost never solo acts. She connects Houdini’s discipline to athletes like Kobe Bryant: the first in the gym, the last to leave, still practicing even at the top.

Later in the episode, Jed chats with 12‑year‑old author Shravya Khandelwal, whose middle grade novel The Curse of Judice blends suspense, demons, and a brave heroine named Sarah. Shravya talks about her love of spooky, supernatural stories, how curiosity pulls kids into mysteries, and what it feels like to be a young, published author balancing school, big dreams, and book promotion.