Journey of a Lifetime

Fleischman's life story unfolds across a tapestry of vibrant settings. His early days were rooted in the sun-kissed landscapes of San Diego, a backdrop to his childhood dreams and youthful adventures. As his prowess as a magician blossomed, he embarked on a whirlwind tour through the majestic Sierras and beyond, enchanting audiences in various corners of California. With the Francisco Spook and Magic Show, his path wound through the heart of America, from the vast plains of Nebraska and Missouri, reaching as far north as the bustling streets of Chicago and the serene shores of Michigan.

Voyage Across the Seas

Fleischman's naval odyssey whisked him away to the vibrant pulse of New York City, then onward to the historic naval grounds of Norfolk, Virginia, and the bustling Brooklyn Naval Yard. His travels sailed him to the tropical allure of Bermuda, and eventually to the vast horizons of the Pacific. En route, he marveled at the untouched beauty of the Galapagos Islands. Aboard the USS Albert T. Harris, his journey led him to the exotic shores of Bora Bora in the Society Islands. His crew played a crucial role in the swift invasion of Borneo, a conflict that faded by midday on its very inception.

As their patrols took them through the strategic San Bernardino Strait in the Philippines, the echoes of history reached them with the news of Japan's surrender, following the cataclysmic events at Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Yet, for Fleischman, perhaps the most transformative chapter was a three-week sojourn in Shanghai. This experience left an indelible mark on his soul, steering him towards the path of a novelist. He was captivated by the harsh conditions faced by Jewish refugees herded into a dilapidated ghetto across Soochow Creek in Hongkew. "Blood Alley", a notorious, narrow street lined with bustling bars, imprinted itself in his memory, later becoming the evocative title of one of his novels.

A Creative Sanctuary

In his pursuit of cinematic storytelling, Fleischman found a haven in the serene confines of a Santa Monica home, where he resides to this day. From this creative sanctuary, he launches annual journeys across the nation, engaging with high school audiences and sharing the tales that have shaped his storied life.

Fleischman, a paragon of literary excellence, exerts a tremendous effort to hone a style that aligns with his lofty professional ideals. In his youth, he had the vigor to craft entire chapters in a single day. Now, he considers a well-crafted paragraph an achievement worthy of celebration. During his college days, he attempted to mimic the intricate sentences of Henry James, only to find the process as laborious as "pulling taffy." This led him to embrace the seemingly straightforward yet deeply profound style of Ernest Hemingway as his new inspiration.

Early Writing Challenges

Back when Fleischman was at San Diego State College, the art of writing fiction wasn't part of the academic offerings. Much like his earlier pursuit of magic, he sought wisdom within the depths of library stacks. However, the books he found weren’t quite the roadmap he needed for crafting compelling plots. "The trouble is every time you write page one you face a new wild set of variables." Over time, he discovered the art of allowing his narratives to organically follow the imaginative contours within his mind. Each detail was a cornerstone, and his collaboration with William Wellman further unveiled the power of letting stories breathe through a sequence of vivid scenes. Wellman, celebrated for films like Wings, A Star Is Born, and Oxbow Incident , possessed "a superb and subtle mind...

In his autobiography, Fleischman paints a vivid portrait of an immigrant Jewish family navigating the complexities of early twentieth-century life. He escorts us through the harsh years of the Great Depression, beckons us to the fading allure of vaudeville's final curtain calls, and immerses us in the tightly-knit world aboard a modest World War II naval vessel. Each chapter offers a window into these historical epochs, while the narrative expertly unveils the dynamics of the publishing industry from the 1940s onwards.

Despite his upbringing in San Francisco, Fleischman notes that anti-Semitism was not a dominant force during his formative years. However, he recounts with palpable irritation how Henry Ford's overt disdain for Jews led his father, Louie Fleischman, to refuse even the thought of traveling in a Ford automobile. Additionally, the revered national icon, Charles Lindbergh, disturbed the family by publicly attributing Europe's woes in the 1940s to the British and Jews. The notion that such baseless claims could be embraced by someone of Lindbergh's standing deeply troubled Fleischman and his kin.

Louie Fleischman was a part of that seismic wave of newcomers who flooded into the country in the early 1900s. Among them were nearly two million Jewish souls who had departed Europe since the year 1880. Irving Howe's World of Our Fathers provides a captivating chronicle of these individuals and their rich traditions. Many, akin to the Fleischman family, hailed from Eastern Europe. Once they stepped beyond the confines of Russian shtetls, their adherence to religious orthodoxy often waned.

Readers may observe that Sid Fleischman never touches upon religious themes. Instead, Howe's narrative underscores the cultural and political dilemmas that preoccupied these newcomers.

Mary M. Burns' Review

In her insightful review of The Abracadabra Kid: A Writer's Life for Horn Book Magazine (November-December 1996), Mary M. Burns discovers that Fleischman's autobiography delivers the expected humor, yet unveils him as a writer deeply committed to his craft. His comedic portrayal of setbacks is balanced by a buoyant optimism that likely fuels his widespread appeal, making his life story both approachable and invigorating.

Paul Fleischman's Tribute

Paul Fleischman, in his article "Sid Fleischman" for Horn Book Magazine (July-August 1987), pens a heartfelt tribute to his father, celebrating him not only as a cherished parent but also as a distinguished author.

Albert Sidney Fleischman on Humor

Albert Sidney Fleischman, in "Laughter and Children's Literature" from Horn Book Magazine (October 1976), asserts that truly engaging humorous children's literature is a rarity. He believes that light-hearted stories deserve recognition on par with their more serious counterparts, as children often perceive and amusingly critique the absurdities in their world.

The Origin of The Whipping Boy

In his "Newbery Acceptance Speech" in Horn Book Magazine (July-August 1987), Fleischman offers a concise chronicle of his career and the decade-long journey behind The Whipping Boy. Chapter 41 of The Abracadabra Kid reveals his elation upon winning the award. Initially conceived as a picture book, the narrative blossomed into a novel, fully capturing the essence he intended to explore.

Betsy Hearne's Perceptive Reviews

Betsy Hearne, in her review for the Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (September 11, 1996), affirms that Fleischman's professional flair shines in his autobiography as brightly as in his fictional works, crafting an archetypal boyhood tale.

In her New York Times Book Review (November 10, 1996) piece, Hearne highlights Fleischman's skillful mingling of fictional magic with his adeptness in real-life sleight-of-hand, revealing his self-taught mastery in both realms. His crisp narratives come alive with dramatic twists at the close of each chapter.

Carolyn Phelan's Positive Review

Carolyn Phelan, in her enthusiastic review for Booklist (September 1, 1996), praises Fleischman's engaging and accessible prose, coupled with his varied and captivating life, as key elements of an engrossing read. "From cover to cover a treat," she declares.