Fraillon’s latest release is if Shelby Van Pelt's Remarkably Bright Creatures (2022) and Katherine
Applegate's Odder (2022) collided, resulting in a grumpy octopus stuck in an aquarium. This
verse novel begins with a captive octopus named Houdini, called so for her trickery and ability to
escape her enclosure, hiding from the persistent tapping of children on her tank. Caught by a
fisherman and given away, Houdini yearns for the ocean's reefs, currents, and taste. Houdini’s
only friends are Spike the starfish and Joe the janitor until Juno, troubled daughter of the
aquarium owner, arrives. While the world outside the aquarium might misunderstand them,
Houdini and Juno form a close bond through silly antics and quiet moments in equal measure.
Luyken’s illustrations conjure thoughts of octopus ink as they flow around the short verses and
gently, smudgily pool into empty spaces. Back matter includes octopus facts and an author’s
note. Through the inner thoughts of an octopus, Fraillon weaves a wistful tale that imparts how
fulfillment and happiness sometimes come at the cost of making heart-wrenching decisions.

– Booklist, 9/1/26

Houdini is an octopus who lives up to her name; every night she escapes her tank. While she’s out, she steals the aquarium workers’ belongings and flounders for late night snacks. Despite her plentiful food and toys—she has a particular fondness for Mr. Potato Head—Houdini hates the aquarium, particularly the visitors who bang her tank glass. She dreams of returning to the sea, from where she was captured. But one visitor is different. Juno, whose father Paul looks after Houdini, is quiet and thoughtful. Juno is having her own personal troubles but forges a connection with Houdini as its escape plans evolve. Fraillon’s novel in verse captures the octopus’s intelligence beautifully. Houdini is charming: she’s grumpy and smart, and her tenderness toward Juno, which Juno’s father lacks, is touching. The descriptions of Houdini’s memories of the sea are evocative and explain why she is so desperate to return. The illustrations throughout are beautiful and add weight to Houdini’s perspective. For some readers, this will provide for a real sea change in how they view animals in captivity. Juno’s set of octopus facts at the end provide even more detail about these wonderful creatures. The author’s note explaining that Houdini’s high jinks are all based on real octopuses will have readers wanting to know more. Juno presents as white. VERDICT A delightful, watery, and emotional journey for anyone interested in the animal kingdom.

– School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW, 8/1/26

Drawing inspiration from New Zealand’s real-life cephalopod Inky, Fraillon (Etta and the Octopus) and Luyken (The Arguers) present a moving verse novel that traces an aquarium resident’s yearning for home and budding friendship. Though curmudgeonly octopus Houdini—named for her numerous breakouts—longs to return to the ocean (“The Sea she is singing she is howling so strong she is/ calling us”), she waits for the perfect moment to flee for good. Until then, she endures visitors’ gawking by day, and by night leaves her tank, plotting her eventual escape. Upon meeting aquarium owner’s daughter Juno, whose skin tone echoes the white of the page, Houdini is stunned by a feeling of connection, like “a Tide pulling us closer.” Over the course of multiple visits, Houdini grows fond of the child, and their bond strengthens while “Juno holds our arms strokes our head between our/ eyes.” But as Houdini’s escape efforts grow increasingly dangerous (“pain is creeping across our skin seeping weeping”), she worries about whether Juno will understand her need to leave. Spare, eloquent verse relays big emotions with few words, while digitally rendered watercolor-like illustrations capture Houdini’s undulating movements and fluid environment in bold, inky swathes. It’s a tender and insightful outing. Ages 8–12. Author’s agent: Claire Wilson, RCW Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. (Oct.)

– Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW, 6/19/2026

Houdini the octopus yearns to escape her tank for the Sea.

Written in free verse vignettes (in first person plural, reflecting the fact that an octopus has nine brains), Fraillon’s tale chronicles the titular cephalopod’s life at an aquarium—from human visitors to enrichment puzzles to her late-night jaunts outside of her tank and the call of the Sea. The aquarium owner’s young daughter Juno (who isn’t described physically but appears to be neurodivergent) develops a deep well of compassion for Houdini. Juno wants a new tank for Houdini—one connected to the sea, with special latches operable by octopuses—but the aquarium lacks the funds. While Houdini’s human friends try to fundraise, Houdini can wait no more and launches a cunning escape plan. Fraillon’s compelling text balances tenderness for her characters—two-legged and eight-limbed alike—with tension and suspense. Information on octopuses is cleverly, and seamlessly, woven into the narrative; the author has a rare gift for convincingly conveying a cephalopod’s perspective, which results in some strangely beautiful passages. Fascinating backmatter details the real-life octopuses whose personalities and antics inspired the fictional Houdini’s story. Luyken’s inky black-and white illustrations depict Houdini, sea life, and humans (with racially diverse aquariumgoers), but the most special image comes in the author’s note: a sucker print from the actual Houdini.

A deeply empathic love letter to interspecies friendship, to freedom, and, above all, to octopuses. (Verse fiction. 7-14)

– Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW, July 15th issue