"FIRST NAMES SERIES"--Abrams Children’s Books has a new series of biographies for middle grade readers (adults will also enjoy)--eight books will cover historical and contemporary figures in highly illustrated format--beginning with titles on Harry Houdini and Amelia Earhart

Harry Houdini (The First Names Series)

Discover the man behind the magic and see how Houdini pulled off his most daring escapes

Before Harry Houdini (1874–1926) became the greatest magician in the world, he was just little Ehrich Weisz, a Hungarian-born immigrant who moved to America with his family and performed stage tricks for a little extra cash. He started off with card tricks and then eventually began performing the escape acts that would make him famous. Known for his daring and death-defying illusions, he would do some of the greatest tricks ever: escaping from a milk can, being buried alive, and being locked inside a crate and thrown into a river. He conquered each of these seemingly impossible feats and showed the world the power of a little magic. Fun, fast-paced, and highly illustrated, Harry Houdini tells the story of the curious boy who became the world’s greatest magician and reveals how Houdini did some of his most stunning escapes. It includes a timeline, glossary, and index.


Kjartan Poskitt



Kjartan Poskitt is an author and TV presenter who is best known for writing the Murderous Maths children's series of books. Poskitt was educated at Collingwood College, Durham. In addition to his popular science and maths books, which include books on Isaac Newton (Dead Famous: Isaac Newton and his Apple), puzzles, practical jokes and secred codes, Poskitt has written a book of magical tricks, a GCSE Maths support book and four Rosie and Jim annuals. In 2007, Poskit published the first in a new series of children's novels called Urgum the Axeman.

He also wrote the theme tune for the children's art program SMart, as well as the title theme and music for the first two series of Brum. He is also the creator of a logic puzzle, Kjarposko.

He has been a presenter for a number of (mostly BBC) educational children's TV shows.

http://www.kjartan.co.uk/

Amelia Earhart (The First Names Series)

See how Amelia Earhart went from a little Kansas tomboy to a high-flying feminist icon

Before Amelia Earhart (1897–1939) became a world-famous pilot, she was a little tomboy from Kansas with a taste for adventure. When she visited an airfield and took a short plane ride, she knew she had to be a pilot. She signed up for flying lessons and cropped her hair short so that the other pilots would take her seriously. She became the first woman to make a solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean. With each flight she took and each record she broke, Amelia became more and more of a celebrity. Her final flight was intended to be a trip around the whole world, but her plane disappeared after takeoff—and her disappearance is still a mystery today. Inspirational, highly illustrated, and full of adventure, Amelia Earhart tells the story of the feminist icon who changed the world of aviation. It includes a timeline, glossary, and index.

Andrew Prentice

 
 

Andrew Prentice is the author of two critically acclaimed YA historical novels: Black Arts and Devil's Blood. He likes his stories like he likes his coffee: rich, dark brews in a painstakingly crafted and historically accurate vessel, preferably served by a demon--though a ghost will do just as well. Black Arts was shortlisted for the Branford Boase Prize and longlisted for the Carnegie Medal. He has also written for comics and animation. He lives in England with his wife, three daughters, and dog.

https://www.abramsbooks.com/contributor/andrew-prentice_23295935/ 

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Abrams Announces New Middle Grade Biography Series

by Kathy Ishizuka

 

Abrams Children’s Books has announced a new series of biographies for middle grade readers: First Names. Eight books are planned and will cover historical and contemporary figures in a highly illustrated format, with titles on Harry Houdini and Amelia Earhart publishing in August 2019.

Abrams will publish First Names in North America in collaboration with David Fickling Books, which introduced the series in the United Kingdom in April 2018.
“The books are fun, informative, and addictively readable,” says Andrew Smith, senior vice president and publisher of Abrams Children’s Books, of the series. “And since readers will get to read about each famous person from childhood to adulthood, it’s aspirational in so many ways.”

Written by Kjartan Poskitt with illustrations by Geraint Ford, Harry Houdini tells the story of Ehrich Weisz, a Hungarian-born immigrant who moved to America when he was four and grew up to be the world’s greatest magician. Amelia Earhart, by Andrew Prentice, with illustrations by Mike Smith, offers a new take on an icon of American aviation.

Filled with “quirky illustrations, humor, and mini-comics,” according to a release, each title in the series will feature sidebars for context on historical events, a timeline, bibliography, and glossary. A hardcover edition costs $9.99, with ebook versions also available.

Future First Names books include Malala Yousafazai, Nelson Mandela, Beyoncé, Ada Lovelace, and Ferdinand Magellan, to be published in subsequent seasons.

https://www.slj.com/?detailStory=abrams-announces-new-middle-grade-biography-series-first-names 

Reviews

 

"In line with the series premise and overall informal tone, the author refers to him throughout as "Harry" (his stage name). Andrew Prentice does likewise for his free-spirited subject in the co-published Amelia Earhart (illustrated by Mike Smith), taking "Amelia" (or, in childhood chapters, "Millie") from homemade backyard roller coaster to final disappearance . . . Together with its companion, stimulating portraits of two colorful, driven historical figures." (Kirkus Reviews)

"This informative biography is a chatty and engaging read for the uninitiated as well as for those who thought they knew everything about one of the greatest magicians of all time." (Booklist)

"A lighthearted and easy look at some of the world’s most famous celebrities . . . The illustrations may prove to be comforting for fiction readers who enjoy diary style series like Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Rachel Renée Russell’s Dork Diaries." (School Library Journal)