Kidsmomo

Sid Fleischman Mar 16, 1920 - Mar 17, 2010

Just a few moons ago, when we covered the theme Historical Fiction, my book pick was By the Great Horn Spoon!, by Sid Fleischman. The first time I read that book was in the fourth grade, and I remember borrowing it many times from the library after that, even when I was “too old” to be reading it. Last September I bought a brand new copy, and I enjoyed it just as much as I did many, many moons ago. Well, Kidsmomo-ers, I’m sorry to report that Mr. Fleischman passed away on Wednesday, March 17th. 🙁

An earlier edition of The Whipping Boy

Mr. Fleischman had just turned 90 years old, and in his lifetime wrote over 60 books, fiction and nonfiction &#151 including Newbery Honor book The Whipping Boy. Just like Jemmy, Prince Horace, and many of his other characters who went on great, and oftentimes funny, adventures, so had Mr. Fleischman. Before he was a children’s book author, he was a regular ol’ author for grown-ups (BOR-ing). But his own kids wondered what he did all day, so he wrote a book for them and voilà! &#151 he became a children’s author.

I'll never have to return this one to the library! It's mine! MINE!

And even before being a regular ol’ author, he had been in the U.S. Naval reserve, worked as a newspaper reporter, and performed as a magician &#151 as one-half of the act called The Mirthful Conjurers! While on the road for the act, he wrote a book about magic and eventually also wrote the nonfiction book ESCAPE! The Story of the Great Houdini.

To learn more about Sid Fleischman, check out his website, and of course, read his amazing books. Naturally, I recommend (again) By the Great Horn Spoon!

&#151 Nancy