Hurry Up Houdini! is the 50th book in the Magic Tree House Book Series.
Summary[]
Jack and Annie meet one of the world's most famous illusionists, Harry Houdini.
Chapters[]
- Message from Merlin
- My Treat!
- S-O-L-D O-U-T
- Okay! Good-Bye!
- Together
- Jolly Jack and the Amazing Annie
- Hurry Up, Houdini!
- Master of Escape
- The Real Story
- Best Escape Act Ever
Plot[]
The time was 5:42 PM in the summer, Jack was reading a horse history book and Annie was at a friend’s house, Jenny. Just as their mother told Jack to get Annie for hot dogs, she came running back saying that the magic tree house had returned. Jack went inside to ask their mom for permission to go on a mission for about 20 minutes. She agreed, and they rushed out to the woods, where they climbed the rope ladder into the treehouse. They found a piece of paper and some items left by Merlin and Penny, including a gold ring and a bottle of magic mist. The mist allowed them to be great at anything for an hour, and after reading a booklet, Jack and Annie learned that their next mission was to find a second secret of greatness from the famous escape artist, Houdini, in Coney Island, New York.
They arrived in the year 1908, dressed in period clothing. After exploring the area, they discovered they were in an amusement park and learned that Houdini was performing nearby. After a brief visit to a hot dog stand and enjoying some ice cream, they decided to find tickets for Houdini’s show. However, Annie was eager to try a ride called "Shoot the Shoots," despite Jack's reluctance. He finally agreed, and they boarded the boat for the ride. As they were climbing up the ramp, Jack was nervous, but the boat took a thrilling plunge into the lake, soaring under an arch bridge and bouncing in the air. As it landed, Jack and the other passengers laughed, though Jack felt uneasy. After docking, Jack took a moment to sit while Annie suggested they head to the theater. They found a crowded terrace and watched people hawking tickets to different rides. Jack commented on how everything seemed to claim to be "the greatest," which led to a conversation with a couple, Harry and Bess, who had met and married at Coney Island 15 years ago.
After chatting, the couple gave Jack and Annie directions to Henderson's Music Hall to see the Great Houdini. When they arrived, the show was sold out, and Jack was disappointed. Annie, always optimistic, suggested they could still get in by taking the place of the missing performers. She convinced the theater staff that they were experienced magicians, and they were given costumes and props, including doves and rabbits.
Though Jack was reluctant and upset that Annie hadn't discussed the plan with him first, she was excited about the idea. The two got ready backstage, but Jack, still frustrated, walked out of the theater, deciding he didn't want to perform. As he left, he realized he had forgotten the magic mist that could help them!
Jack hurried down Surf Avenue, weaving through a crowded sidewalk. At the theater, he tried to get backstage but was stopped by the ticket taker. Desperate, Jack searched for another entrance, finding a dark alley leading to a locked back door. After failing to get in, he spotted a window and climbed up, eventually reaching Annie in the dressing room. She was missing a bottle of magic mist, so Jack handed it to her. Together, they looked at a list of tricks for their performance, and after some discussion, they decided to perform together.
Jack and Annie used the magic mist to become skilled magicians, preparing their props for the show. When the stage manager called them on stage, Jack felt confident and ready. He changed into a tuxedo, and the two made their way to the stage where the audience cheered. They performed a series of tricks, including pulling rabbits and doves from their hats and performing card tricks. Their performance was flawless, with the audience laughing and clapping. Annie finished with a magical ring trick, and the two ended their act by announcing an upcoming escape artist performance. They bowed and left the stage, their first performance as magicians a huge success. Jack and Annie then found themselves in a tricky situation when the famous Houdini failed to show up for his act. The theater owner, Mr. Dewey, was in a panic, and Jack and Annie were asked to continue performing to buy time. They attempted a few tricks they had just learned, but things quickly went awry with the audience laughing and booing. Just as things were looking hopeless, Houdini arrived, and the audience erupted in cheers. Houdini cleverly explained that the awkward performance was part of the show, and he stepped in to perform his incredible magic tricks, wowing the audience with his escapes. Despite Jack and Annie’s hopes to learn a secret of greatness from Houdini, the magical "Ring of Truth" they were wearing never glowed, leaving them still uncertain about the secret to true greatness. However, they got to witness Houdini’s astonishing abilities and were left in awe.
After the show, Jack and Annie tried to congratulate the Houdinis, but they found that the couple had already slipped away through a secret exit to avoid the crowd. Jack and Annie searched for them and eventually found them sitting at an ice cream stand in Luna Park, disguised by large hats. After some playful exchanges, Harry revealed that his escape tricks were not magic but the result of years of hard work and practice. Bess shared that Harry had worked tirelessly from a young age, performing in circuses and practicing magic tricks. Jack and Annie learned that greatness came from dedication and effort, not just natural talent.
As they walked with Harry and Bess, Jack and Annie revealed their own secret – they traveled through time in a magical treehouse. The Houdinis were intrigued but amused. After some fun moments, Jack and Annie took the Houdinis to the treehouse, showing them their ability to travel to different places and times. Harry and Bess were impressed, and as they said their goodbyes, Jack and Annie returned home to Frog Creek, reflecting on how they had learned that true greatness lay in kindness, loyalty, and hard work.
During their adventure, Jack had been waiting for the ring of truth to glow, but it hadn’t until Bess explained the true secret of greatness. When the ring finally did glow, Jack understood that the lesson wasn’t about magic or illusions, but about the simple truth of hard work. They realized that the real "secret of greatness" they had learned wasn’t from Harry, but from Bess, who had embodied those qualities. The story ended with Jack and Annie joking and running home together.