This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Carol Thompson for Readers' Favorite
So You Want To Be A Magician by Linda Soules introduces young readers to the world of magic through a blend of performance, psychology, history, and practical insight. The book explains how magicians create wonder through attention control, sleight of hand, preparation, and storytelling. Early chapters explore how audiences experience illusions and why the human brain can be so easily fooled. Readers learn about concepts such as misdirection, false memory, and change blindness, showing that magic depends as much on psychology as on technique. The book then moves into the daily life of magicians, including the hours of solitary practice, prop construction, rehearsal, and performance that go into creating seamless illusions. Historical sections introduce famous magicians such as Harry Houdini, Dai Vernon, and Shin Lim, connecting modern magic to a larger tradition of performance and creativity.
So You Want To Be A Magician is suited for younger readers who are curious about performance and illusion. Linda Soules combines short explanatory sections with vivid examples, making complex ideas in psychology and perception exciting. The pacing moves quickly, with each spread introducing a new aspect of the magician’s world, from practice routines and stagecraft to audience reactions. The illustrations add atmosphere, helping readers visualize both the elegance and discipline behind the craft. Literary techniques such as direct address, rhetorical questions, and descriptive imagery keep the material inviting. The book balances entertainment with education, encouraging curiosity while also teaching the value of patience, repetition, creativity, and confidence. Readers who enjoy performance, puzzles, stage arts, or the science of perception will find the subject especially appealing. The book’s strongest quality is its treatment of magic as both an artistic performance and a careful study of human attention.
