1. The Houdini Box by Brian Selznick by Brian Selznick Compiled by: Terry Sams PESTerry Sams

2. Study Skills Genre: Historical Fiction Comprehension Skill: Compare and Contrast Comprehension Strategy: Predict Comprehension Review Skill: Plot and Character Vocabulary: Synonyms/Antonyms

3. Summary Young Victor wants to be a magician like his hero, famed escape artist Harry Houdini, but his attempts at escape end up as disasters. One Halloween night, he receives a wooden box at Houdini’s house. Victor opens it many years later and discovers Houdini’s secrets.

4. GenreGenre: Historical Fiction Genre Historical fiction has characters and events based on real people and events in history. As you read, look for historical details. (Different PowerPoint on Genre)

5. Comprehension Skill Tested: Compare and Contrast – TE392 A Comparison tells how two or more things are alike. A Contrast tells how they are different Clue words such as like or as show comparisons Clue words such as but or unlike show contrasts.

6. Compare and Contrast PB 153 Special Effects and Magic Tricks AlikeDifferent Both seem real 1. 1. Both fool the eye 2. Both have hard work 3. how they work to fool the eye: computer vs. hands 4. new practice vs. old 5. One is harder to figure out.

7. Vocabulary Skill: Synonyms and TE 394 Vocabulary Skill: Synonyms and Antonyms TE 394 Synonyms Antonyms When you read, you may come across a word you don’t know. Sometimes the author will use a synonym or an antonym as a clue to the meaning of the word. Synonyms are words that mean almost the same thing. Antonyms are words with opposite meanings. Click on the title to practice this skill.

8. Comprehension Skill review – Plot and Character TE 401 – PlotCharacter – PlotCharacter We learn about characters by noticing what they say and do. We learn about characters by noticing what they say and do. The main character’s problem often drives the plot. The plot begins when a character has a problem or conflict. The main character’s problem often drives the plot. The plot begins when a character has a problem or conflict. Main events usually focus on the character’s efforts to solve the problem. Main events usually focus on the character’s efforts to solve the problem. Plot (problem) builds up during rising action, is met directly at the climax, and comes to an end, as the action winds down, during the resolution. Plot (problem) builds up during rising action, is met directly at the climax, and comes to an end, as the action winds down, during the resolution.

9. Comprehension Skill review – Plot and Character PB193 Plot Problem Rising Action Cory waited for her turn. Rising Action Climax3. Resolution4. 1. Cory was trying out for a dance group. 2. Cory danced. Cory made it into group. Cory cheered.

10. Comprehension Strategy Predict TE 407 Good readers think about what will happen next. Patterns in the information in a graph or chart can help you predict.

11. Review Questions 1.How can you tell Houdini and Victor were both kind people? 2.Why did Mrs. Houdini cry when she read Victor’s letter? 3.what did Victor try to do after he learned about Houdini’s tricks? 4.Describe Victor’s character.

12. Review Questions 1.Why didn’t Victor tell his wife and son about the box? 2.Why did Houdini promise to write Victor a letter? 3.What was important about reading Houdini’s monument? 4.What was in Houdini’s box? 5.When did Victor find Houdini’s box?

13. invisible Not visible; not capable of being seen Not visible; not capable of being seen

14. pretending making believe

15. judge form an opinion or estimate about form an opinion or estimate about

16. appeared was seen; came in sight was seen; came in sight

17. vanished disappeared, especially suddenly disappeared, especially suddenly

18. bustling being noisily busy and in a hurry being noisily busy and in a hurry

19. monument something set up to honor a person or an event. A monument may be a building, pillar, arch, statue, tomb, or stone. something set up to honor a person or an event. A monument may be a building, pillar, arch, statue, tomb, or stone.

20. monument

21. crumbled fell to pieces; decayed fell to pieces; decayed

22. magician person who entertains by art or skill of creating illusions, especially a sleight of hand person who entertains by art or skill of creating illusions, especially a sleight of hand

23. engraved cut deeply in; carved in; carved in an artistic way cut deeply in; carved in; carved in an artistic way

24. unexplainable unaccountable; without apparent cause or reason unaccountable; without apparent cause or reason

25. escape to get out and away; to get free to get out and away; to get free

26. The clothes were invisible to people who were unfit for their jobs.

28. Victor was looking around the huge, bustling train station when he saw Houdini.

30. The king learned to judge people by their good work and not how they complimented him.

32. The weavers were only pretending to weave cloth.

34. The children like Houdini because he could do the unexplainable.

36. Houdini could escape from an iron milk can in under 20 seconds.

38. Victor wanted to be a magician when he grew up, just like Houdini.

40. Mrs. Houdini vanished up the staircase into the library.

42. The initials E.W. were engraved on the bottom of the box.

44. They found the ball lying in the corner of a dark monument in the graveyard.

46. Two smaller words appeared directly below “Houdini”.

48. The lock was so old that it crumbled when Victor brushed his hand across it.