  | Full Text Reviews: Booklist - 02/15/2016 *Starred Review* The creators of Mesmerized (2015) join forces again to tell the incredible story of the nineteenth-century magician Adelaide Herrmann. From the very first spread, readers learn that “Addie never wanted to be ordinary.” She dreamed of the circus, joined a dance troupe, and delighted crowds by riding the bicycle-like “boneshaker.” She performed around Europe, but it was on a ship to America that her life became truly extraordinary. There, Addie met her soon-to-be husband, Alexander—aka Herrmann the Great—and joined his magic act, wherein “he set fire to Addie. He chopped off her head. . . . The two of them got along splendidly.” After tragedy strikes, Adelaide goes from assistant to starring magician, naturally with a daring trick up her sleeve. Lavish illustrations frame the story, often literally, creating a three-dimensional effect that puts the reader in every scene. Velvet stage curtains, ship’s rigging, fellow audience members—all overlap the featured artwork, lending excitement and immediacy to this little-known tale. The rich colors and embellished fonts, meanwhile, create a grandiose effect fitting for Adelaide’s life in the spotlight. Adelaide’s independent spirit is inspiring, whether she is creating scandal by proposing to a man or donning risqué costumes. An author’s note provides more information on this remarkable woman as well as her most (in)famous trick. Pure magic. - Copyright 2016 Booklist. School Library Journal - 02/01/2016 Gr 2–5—From the team responsible for Mesmerized: How Ben Franklin Solved a Mystery That Baffled All of France (Candlewick, 2015) comes another excellent picture book biography, this time about someone less well known but truly intriguing. Adelaide Herrmann (1853–1932) never wanted to be like other girls: she was determined to stand out and dazzle the world. She secretly joined a dancing troupe, scandalizing family and friends. When that got old, the young woman learned to ride a bicycle, which eventually led to her meeting and marrying Alexander Herrmann, aka Herrmann the Great, a famous magician. Addie began working as Alexander's assistant and took over the act when he died. Life was never ordinary again. Rockliff tells Addie's story with panache, the words bouncing across the page, with varying sizes and typefaces to highlight and emphasize important ideas. Bruno's pencil and digitally colored illustrations are a homage to another time, with individuals and scenes made to look like cutout paper dolls and layered onto backgrounds. A detailed author's note provides further details about Herrmann's life and story, which was lost to the world for a long time. VERDICT Picture book biographies about groundbreaking women are always welcome, and this one is sure to please readers, young and old.—Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA - Copyright 2016 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Loading...
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