The Abracadabra Kid: A Writer's Life

by Sid Fleischman

The man with the spats rolled up his sleeves and proceeded to pluck a polished red billiard ball out of thin air. Presto! It vanished. Abracadabra! It reappeared. It turned white. it blushed red again. VoiIá! Suddenly there were four billiard balls between this amazing man's fingers. I was stunned. All of this was happening right under my nose. And there was more. He flipped the deck into falling waterfalls of cards, spun them into fans, and thrust a sword through a shower of cards to impale the seven of diamonds -- selected a moment before. I was dazzled. The moment he finished his act and ushered us gawkers back onto the sidewalk, I knew what I wanted to be. Someone else could be president of the United States. I wanted to be a magician.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir, Autobiography, Middle Grade, Biography Memoir, Childrens

208 pages, Paperback

First published September 16, 1996

About the author

As a children's book author Sid Fleischman felt a special obligation to his readers. "The books we enjoy as children stay with us forever -- they have a special impact. Paragraph after paragraph and page after page, the author must deliver his or her best work." With almost 60 books to his credit, some of which have been made into motion pictures, Sid Fleischman can be assured that his work will make a special impact.

Sid Fleischman wrote his books at a huge table cluttered with projects: story ideas, library books, research, letters, notes, pens, pencils, and a computer. He lived in an old-fashioned, two-story house full of creaks and character, and enjoys hearing the sound of the nearby Pacific Ocean.

Fleischman passed away after a battle with cancer on March 17, 2010, the day after his ninetieth birthday.

He was the father of Newbery Medal winning writer and poet Paul Fleischman, author of Joyful Noise; they are the only father and son to receive Newbery awards.

Reviews

[Mary Herceg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted a happy book that would make me smile. I came up dry at nearly every turn . . . until I remembered that I had a couple of Sid Fleischman books checked out from the library! It was just what I needed.


Once I started reading The Abracadabra Kid: A Writer's Life, I had a hard time putting it down. I read for hours on end without a break, unable to look away--and it kept me up to a shockingly late hour the first evening I began reading it. I finished it the next night, after only a day and a half. It was that good. I never lost interest, and I always kept moving through the pages, smiling at so many of Fleischman’s adventures.

This brilliant autobiography made me laugh and warmed my heart. It’s a fascinating account of an adventurous and lively life. Fleischman is a skilled writer, so the book keeps moving without dragging. I enjoyed his word choice and unique phrases. I love a good memoir or autobiography, but I’m very picky about the quality. Not just anyone can write a memoir. Sid Fleischman chooses events to dramatize in entertaining fashion, without ever drawing it out too long or losing my interest.

The Abracadabra Kid is engaging and interesting enough for both children and adults. Readers of all ages will be delighted--especially if they already love Fleischman’s entertaining, heartwarming fiction. I appreciated that Fleischman wrote about things only adults will get, but in a way that’s clean enough for children. There wasn’t anything in the book that I wouldn’t want an older child to read. And I love that he’s accessible to children and mature enough for adults as well. It doesn’t seem like a children’s book or an adult book--yet it seems like both, as well.

As a career writer, I treasured the bits of writing advice that Mr. Fleischman included in his memoir--as well as the tale of his writing journey in general. It’s encouraging to see how he struggled at the beginning, but kept practicing, and eventually succeeded. He shares the writing pitfalls he fell into at first, and the lessons he learned that he practiced from then on. He also took two pages to share a dozen of the best pieces of writing advice he used and shared. I know I will come back to those, since they are some of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever encountered.

I highly recommend Sid Fleischman’s autobiography--and his dynamic fiction--to anyone who enjoys comedy, heart, adventure, excellent writing. 4.5 stars.

[ambyr · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I was a kid, I had a tattered paperback copy of Mr. Mysterious & Company, probably acquired at a library book sale, which I read cover to cover over and over again. That and The Whipping Boy (read as class-assigned reading and much less enjoyed as a result) were the only Fleischman I ever encountered. I had no idea about the breadth of his work, and I now regret not encountering more of it sooner, because this memoir reminds me how much of a delight he is as a children's author.

As an adult, there were parts of the memoir I would have liked to have seen fleshed out more; his life was clearly eventful enough to sustain a longer book. Perhaps some day someone will write a posthumous biography. But while this is slight, it's still entertaining and worth reading (and the photos and photo captions are a delight).

[Scott S]

The author’s purpose in The Abracadabra Kid by Sid Fleishman is to show Sid Fleishman’s early life experiences. One can learn a great deal if they stop, listen, and think about what is happening around themselves. If one does not limit themselves, but instead strives for more than what is required, they will be successful. Sid Fleishman stops and thinks about being a magician and then ponders about how he project his talents into writing. He does not limit himself as a magician, he instead pursues writing and becomes successful. This book is an autobiography about Sid Fleishman’s early years in life as a magician and an author. This book shows the events made Sid Fleishman the person and author he is today.
I think this is a good book but it was not the book for me. One way this book was ok was at the beginning of each chapter there was a quote of something Sid Fleishman said or got a question about in his early years of life, “If that McBroom story is true, I’m stupid,” (41). The Mcbroom story is a story Sid Fleishman had previously wrote about a young man who cleverly creates a great profit from and unfair deal. I like this because it shows us more about what Sid Fleishman thought in his early years and it adds funniness to the story. Another way it was a good book was it showed how if you work hard enough you can succeed and be successful is illustrated when Sid Fleishman thinks, “I sent the second novel, a Max Brindle sequel, to Phoenix Press and again was offered a $150 advance against the royalties it would surly earn”(123). Sid Fleishman had been working hard and because of it he gained a $150 raise on his first offer. I did not like this book because of its lack of action. I would recommend this book to someone who wants to be a writer, likes books without much action, or someone who likes to see someones life change before their eyes. If you only like books with action and that are fast passed this is not the book for you.

[Esther Choi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the biography of Sid Fleischman. It talks about his life starting from when he was younger, which was when he did not like to read. He pursued becoming a professional magician once in his life. After that, he became a Hollywood screenwriter. Finally, he found what he loves to do: writing. This book is inspiring and easy to read. I liked how it talked about all the different phases of his life when he jumped from one career to another until he found what he really loves to do. It would be a good independent reading book for 5th or 6th graders who are inspiring to become writers. It would also be a good book for an autobiography unit and students can read some of the children's books that Sid Fleischman wrote.

Interest Level: Grades 3 - 5
Grade level Equivalent: 5.8
Lexile Measure®: 940L
DRA: Not Available
Guided Reading: X
Genre: Autobiography
Theme/Subject: Writing, Jobs, Careers, Work

[Abhi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The entertaining memoir, The Abracadabra Kid by the distinguished, Newbery-award winning author and screenwriter Sid Fleischman, is highly recommended to readers 7/8th grade and above (the book doesn't contain any mature content, but the reading level is somewhat difficult) to adult. The memoir is long, because it elaborately explains the author's life from birth to present. Also, it contains many facts about Sid Fleischman's ancestors and backgrounds. The Abracadabra kid appeals to audiences who like tales about going on tour to preform in magic shows, panning for gold, or sleeping in a battleship about to be attacked. If you are on the hunt for a good memoir/autobiography which has success stories and humor, one that will keep you busy for a while, or inspire you to become a writer, than look no farther; The Abracadabra Kid is for you.

[Lisa Overberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

While Sid Fleischman's earliest passion was magic, he collected mental observations, impressions, and details from his young life for use when he reluctantly began writing as a profession. Straw scarecrows, San Diego's Fifth Street, European tall tales, and expressions like "useless as eating soup with a fork" grew into novels for adults, screenplays, and eventually children's books. He offers excellent advice to young writers: Improvising allows one to begin writing a novel without knowing the ending (p. 121). Details accumulate over a lifetime, and no detail is unimportant (p. 146). And finally, ". . . the arts take practice . . . In the arts no one is exempt. Writers, too, must practice" (p. 126).

Genre: Autobiography
Reading level: 5.8
Grade level: 3+ (However, I do not think this book would hold the attention of most 3rd graders.)
Lexile: 940L

[Leni · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing story onto itself.

[Joyce McPherson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun autobiography with useful information for authors such as “It's the job of the hero or heroine to solve the story problem” and “The main character should be changed by the events of the story.”

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up with a few of the McBroom stories in Cricket magazine from the '70s that my mom had kept. As an adult I read and didn't like The Whipping Boy, but when I stumbled into By the Great Horn Spoon! and read it to my tween brother, his ideas of books, listening (to read-aloud), reading, people and the world all changed, and he and my other siblings have liked that book ever since, so Fleischman gets the credit for that success. (My whole family likes reading, but he hadn't. My family also likes Jeeves, so he even knew the nod to valets like Praiseworthy, at less than 10 years old.)

This biography is like the in-between of Gracie: A Love Story and Howard W. Hunter's biography--awesome. It's funny though, to think of the couple people I know who are Fleischman's age and still alive in 2020. They are the people who lived through the world that is covered in these biographies--I belong to the world who has to read the biographies.

And about the time this book was written was when my other brother was beginning to check out the books about magic from the library and introduce me to them, so we know all about that. I don't suppose I could find out (remember) whether we ever read any of the magic books that Fleischman wrote.

I will look up the other books he wrote and see what what else of his to read now. And his writing tips in chapter 40 are great.

[The Book Ghost · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sid Fleischman recounts his life's story from magician to author.


A surprisingly insignificant story of a pretty interesting author, this sadly doesn't have enough lasting power to hold my interest. It's basic, kind of dry, and, occasionally, mixed in with some good writing advice (saved for a few select pages near the end).

I'm not saying that this was a bad book, but it was kind of tedious for a reader that's never even heard of a book from his works. It some ways though, it's caught my interest to try a few, but in other ways, I'm a little disappointed in myself for not finishing this faster.

For readers of Fleischman's stories, this may catch you. To the rest, try a different author's memoir.


*2.5 out of 5*

[Maddie Bellone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book about a mans journey to become a magician to a writer. Great for older children.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this look at pre-war lifestyle and era from a young man’s eyes.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great insight into writer craft, where ideas come from, life in another era.

[Sarah B · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

[Albert H]

Sid Fleischman's memoir contemplates the process through which he became and Author. Beginning with his grandparent's immigration to the United States, Sid writes of his years as a traveling magic act with Buddy Ryan, as a sailor in World War II, and his persistent struggle to support his family through writing. The success of performance shows that the business of entertaining is needed by everyone, rich and poor, even during times of financial crisis. The author demonstrates the need for societies to be amazed, and that entertainment is an expense that even in the Great Depression, people are willing to pay for. The memoir also demonstrates that magic, like writing, requires dedication and practice. After several failed attempts as writing stories, Fleischman actually receives this advice about his writing and believes in passing it on to everyone he can.

Like a magic show, the book became captivating almost at once. Even before Sid is introduces into the world of magic, Sid begins by questioning how he became an author, incentivizing the reader by beginning with a question. Fleischman makes use of interjections frequently in this memoir. As he describes one trick in which a man holds a billiards ball, then: "Presto! It vanished. Abracadabra! It reappeared. It turned white. It blushed red again. Voilà! Suddenly there were four billiard balls"(4). These terms keep the reader excited and help capture the essence of magic tricks. Fleischman's career as a magician during the Great Depression gives a fascinating insight to the way people react to entertainment during times of panic. One such insight occurs as Sid and his friend are drive past a Civilian Conservation Corps, government funded camps providing "healthy outdoor jobs to unemployed teenagers"(47), in the Sierra Nevada on the way to the pier first performance, and they decide to offer some entertainment. "The commanding officer welcomed a morale booster and gladly agreed to our five-dollar fee. Following dinner we put on our hour-and-a half "Glittering Array of Mysteries." After that we never passed up a CCC sign, and we were never turned away"(47). This moment strongly demonstrates the human desire to be intrigued, as the commander paid then even in a time when money and jobs were scarce. As Fleischman wrote: "In those Depression days a loaf of bread was nine cents. Ten dollars was serious money"(34). The author also frequently references how seemingly unimportant details of his life became the basis of characters and plot points in Fleischman's books, in the case of the book Jim Ugly: "Pal was my model for the novel, he became half wolf, arrogant and inscrutable. The See'n Is Believ'n troupe was transformed into an itinerant company that of dramatic actors. Wanda of the ten in one show changed into the sharpshooting Arizona Girl performing a three-act feminist drama"(51). The parallels between several of Fleischman's novels and his memoir leave the reader curious about these novels as well.

[Lisagarden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think that children and teens that have experienced and have some awareness of their own emerging creative process will "get" this book on many levels. Plus they will learn history about immigration, journalism, magic, Hollywood, politics and humor. He was one funny guy!
I liked the way that two of his loves, magic and writing, evolved in his life. He talked a lot about his creative process and insight as to how he worked. Personally I am interested in magic, so I enjoyed learning how he developed into a magician and the magicians that impacted his life. I liked reading about the details of his magic tricks and his learning process and how he eventually created his own tricks. He linked the skills needed to be a magician with being similar to those of being a writer. Skills including... being observant of what is around you, ability for problem solving, the power and use of story, and the magic of humor.
It was fun to read how specific events in his life inspired specific books that he wrote. It was also fun to read how he discovered the importance of research and wrote about people and places he knew nothing about by combining research with creativity. The use of humor is a delight.! I found myself laughing aloud as he described his humorous characters and situations later on in the book.

[Hannah · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is a autobiography by Sid Fleischman, about his life from the start to the near end. He was born during the Great Depression and lived a normal American life going through the ups and downs. As a young boy he was very interested in magic. In fact he read books about magic and he later joined a club to learn more advanced tricks. He then later had a partner and the both of them traveled around the US getting paid descent money. He then later enlisted into WW2 and fought and did various jobs for the army. Sid also wrote many children books and even won award for a few. If you want to find out more about Sid's life read this book to find out more!
Overall, this book had a lot of detail and facts. It wasn't the best book that I have read and I think that the author could have made it a bit more interesting. There were a few things though that I could make connections with that I learned in social studies. I also learned a few new facts!
I would recommend this book to people in grades 7th and above and who potentially like to read about WW2 from a personal point of view.

[Liam Belnap · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Abracadabra Kid by Sid Fleischman is about a person named Sid and he can saw someone in half and put them back together. Suspense is in the book. Fleischman was up on the stage about to saw someone in half with a ribbon and the crowed was waiting excitedly. Also there's characterization. Sid made a big speech to say to a lot of people and he didn't care what to where and he wore a tuxedo, leather shoes, and pants. Last of all the book has foreshadowing. Fleischman saw a girl with a book that said steps to become a writer and Fleischman thought it was boarding but it was his first step of becoming a author. The Abracadabra Kid is a book for people how like real things that happens and wars, magic acts and other things. Also people would like this book if they like surprises things that just are unexpected.

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read Sid Fleischman's books when I was a girl, and some of his sons in my twenties. I selected this memoir because of its great reviews and hysterical opening. However, the book did not hold true to its fun opening and wit. If you've read his books, it may have been a differnt experience for you. My hat is off for my students who read this from start to end since it was a challenging read for me.

His narrative jumps around a bit, and the common thread of the magician doesn't hold to the end. I loved his vocabulary choices, but I wonder if my students were able to appreciate his choices. His story was interesting to see how different life was for people in the 1940's, but I will not be selecting this one for memoirs next year.

[Kiesha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This autobiography describes in great detail the life events and unique circumstances that lead Sid Fleischman to becoming a Newbery Award winning author! Fleischman grew up in San Diego during the Great Depression. His pursuit to become a professional magician began in the fifth grade. Little did Fleischman know that this lifelong obsession with magic would give him the 'literary tricks' necessary to propel his writing career. I recommend this book for intermediate students (4th-6th grade).
Teacher Tip: This book is for everyone especially those students who fall in the uninspired and reluctant writer category! Also, for those who have an interest in magic ;)

[Delia Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A chatty, cheerful autobiography by the author of many good books for kids including THE WHIPPING BOY. I was surprised to learn that he had also written for movies. He makes his knockabout life seem easy and enjoyable, shows how his experiences as a magician, newspaper writer, and screenwriter informed his writing, and gives some excellent advice for would-be fiction writers. The short chapters make this a good "snacking" book, not something I would read in one sitting. He certainly interested me in his writing, and I'm going to have to look up some more of his books.

[Adri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun book about how following one's dream can open up surprising opportunities. I enjoyed it as a memoir because it provided colorful local history of California in the years surrounding WWII. Also appealing was how he wrote about his life. Each event was as significant as any other, none more special nor dramatic, and that seems to be his approach on life. Come what may he takes it as it is. However, having the element of magic in his life did make his story more fascinating and entertaining. The book is definitely motivation to learn a couple of magic parlor tricks for fun.

[C.J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fleischman makes narrative and humour as deftly impish and grin-inducing as an abracadabra on stage: his autobio bounces along with the same energy and storyteller's turns as his fiction. Maybe living an authentic life -- learning new curiosities each day -- is exactly what gave him the means to write such good fiction. Life is stranger, after all. Good stories -- Fleischman's life makes a good case for their origin being in living one.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

San Diegans will love this, he grew up in Golden Hills and North Park.Wonderful autobiography for kids, he started as a traveling magician, then became Newbery winning author and father of Newbery winnng author...... The book reads like an adventure story he even references the inspiration for McBroom.

[Greg Badis · Rating 4 out of 5]

i really liked this book it has a lot of different things in it and it was pretty interesting. it showed how is carrer changed from when he was a kid to an adult. as a kid he wanted to be a magigian but ended up on a battle ship in the middle of a war and then wrote children's books. that is why i like this book.

[Phillip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sid Fleischman’s autobiography is told with the same brevity and wit represented in his novels. How his journey led him from life as a vaudeville magician to one of the most beloved of children’s authors shows how determination, moxie and serendipity can lead at least to a fantastic existence.

[Joe Faust · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't remember a thing about this book to save my life. Must not have been that impressive.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent middle grade memoir.

[Roger Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining read by boy magician turned screenwriter and novelist Sid Fleischman

[Beth Mitchell]

Like being told stories by an older relative who tells *really* good stories.

See my review at: https://bethmitchell.rocks/2017/03/08...