Margin Notes

An Octopus Named Houdini by Zana Fraillon is a hug in book form, a slimy, wet, eight-armed, nine-brained, three-hearted, 3,154 suckered hug.

Through a tenacious octopus aptly named Houdini, this sweet, illustrated middle-grade novel in verse explores some surprisingly big questions. Is captivity ever the right choice for wild animals? Is safety always more important than happiness and freedom? Just because humans can make these decisions for other creatures, does that give us the right?

These are heavy topics, but Fraillon makes them easy to understand through the story of Houdini, an aquarium octopus with a talent for escaping, and Juno, the aquarium owner’s daughter. Before the two meet, Houdini spends their nights slipping out of the tank, collecting treasures for their den, spraying Joe, the nighttime cleaner, and making messes just to hear him roar. But Houdini is always drawn to the washroom drain, where they can hear the sea calling.

When Juno is suspended from school and has to go to work with her father, an unlikely friendship begins. Juno seems to understand Houdini in a way most others cannot. The two share an almost inexplicable, soul-level connection. Juno recognizes that humans and other creatures experience the world differently and that we could learn something by being open to new perspectives: “Sometimes Houds, people need to be shown a different way of seeing.”

Juno imagines a new kind of aquarium that might keep Houdini without depriving them of the freedom that comes from a life lived in their natural habitat. Unfortunately, like many great ideas, her plan costs too much money. But the story does not leave us without hope. The people in Houdini’s life may see things differently, but each of them cares about what is best for Houdini.

One thing I especially love, and think students will too, is the collection of fascinating octopus facts included at the beginning and end of the book. Did you know octopuses can solve problems, navigate mazes, use tools, plan ahead, and even predict what might happen to them? I didn’t.

With its short verse format, illustrations, humour, and unforgettable main character, An Octopus Named Houdini is an inviting choice for middle-school readers. It would also open up rich conversations about animal captivity, empathy, freedom, and what can happen when we learn to see the world through someone else’s eyes. Students are sure to fall in love with Houdini and root for them all the way through.

Releases October 20, 2026

“What separates good players from great players when the game is on the line?”

The Mamba Mentality: How I Play, authored by Kobe Bryant and published in 2018, is one of the most motivating books I have read because it shows what it truly takes to become great at what you do, or even the best. As someone who plays basketball, I connected with this book because Kobe talks about the work nobody sees behind the scenes. This book is not just about scoring points or winning games, it’s about discipline, confidence, and always pushing yourself harder. He teaches the readers that “great things come from hard work and perseverance.” The book kept me interested the whole time because it felt real and inspiring.

The main themes in this book are hard work, perseverance, leadership, and self-belief. Kobe explains that talent can help, but talent alone is never enough if you do not outwork others. As a basketball player, I understand how practice, repetition, and effort can separate players from each other. Kobe believed success came from staying consistent every day, even when tired. He also shows that mistakes and losses can make you better if you learn from them. This makes the book meaningful because Kobe says, “Everything negative—pressure, challenges—is all an opportunity for me to rise.”

This book is different from a biography because it’s more like a breakdown of Kobe’s mindset, career moments, and training habits. He talks about how he prepared for games, studied opponents, and stayed focused under pressure. That part stood out to me because basketball is not only physical, but also mental. There are also many photos that make Kobe’s book more interesting and show important moments from his career. The pictures help readers feel connected to the stories. They also make the book more exciting to read overall.

In the book is Kobe Bryant comes across as determined, intelligent, confident, and extremely focused on being the best version of himself. He never accepted average effort and always wanted more from himself. As an athlete, I respect that mindset because improvement only happens when you push yourself. His attitude shows that greatness comes from discipline and sacrifice. Kobe’s mindset is clear when he says, “The thing you can control is the amount of effort you choose to put in.” I liked this book because it motivated me and made me think differently about basketball and success. It shows if you want results, you must put in the work when nobody is watching. I also liked the photos because they made the book feel more personal and intense.

However, the lessons about hard work and mindset can help anyone, not just basketball players. It made me want to train harder and stay focused on my goals. Kobe’s meaning in his writing is direct and very powerful. His word choice shows confidence and passion, which matches the way he played. He writes in a way that feels like advice from someone who has already reached the top. This shows how much experience he gained through this mindset and his many years playing basketball, helping youth and future generations learn from his mindset, techniques, and advice. A strong quote from the book is, “One thing you can control is effort.” This quote means no matter what happens, effort is always your choice.

You cannot control every result, but you can control how hard you’re willing to work. That message connects to basketball because effort matters in practice, games, and training. It also connects to school and life goals. It’s simple, but very powerful.

I would recommend this book to basketball players, athletes, teenagers, and anyone who wants motivation. It’s especially good for players who want to improve mentally, not just physically. Even people who don’t play sports can learn a lot from Kobe Bryant’s mindset. The book teaches readers to stay focused, stay disciplined and never be satisfied with average. Many students can relate to wanting success and improvement. This book can inspire a lot of people from all around the world. As Kobe would say, “It’s more than just basketball.”

Nathan Bohadur is a Grade 10 student at Fredericton High School and a passionate basketball player. He chose to recommend “Mamba Mentality: How I Play Basketball” because he believes its lessons about discipline, hard work, and perseverance can help anyone, not just athletes.  Nathan has earned both academic and athletic awards, including basketball championships and track and field honours, and enjoys spending time with his family when he is not on the court or on the track.