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Sid Fleischman (born Albert Sidney Fleischman; born Avron Zalmon Fleischman)

シド・フライシュマン（ホンミョウ：アルバート・シドニー・フライシュマン、シュッショウメイ：アヴロン・ザルモン・フライシュマン）

Shiddo Furaishuman (Albert Sidney Fleischman; Avron Zalmon Fleischman)

Pen Names: Carl March（Used as a byline for some magic-related books）, Max Brindle（Alternate name used for some screenplays/television adaptations）

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1920-03-16 （Brooklyn, New York, U.S.）
Died
2010-03-17 （Santa Monica, California, U.S.） age 90
Nationality
American
Languages
English
Religion
Judaism
Residence History
San Diego (from early childhood) → Santa Monica (resided until later life)

Career

Occupations
Writer, Magician
Active Years
1939-2010
Influenced By
Vaudeville magicians and early stage magic culture, Collaboration with Hollywood filmmakers (e.g., William A. Wellman)
Influenced
Paul Fleischman (son, children's author), Influenced numerous children's authors and writers of humorous fiction
Nominations
Hans Christian Andersen Award (U.S. nominee, 1994)

Education

San Diego State University
College of Arts and Letters / English
Degree: BA
Period: 1946–1949
Year of Graduation: 1949
Country: United States
Graduated after World War II service

Awards

Newbery Medal
1987
Work: The Whipping Boy
Organization: Association for Library Service to Children (ALA)
Result: winner
Boston Globe–Horn Book Award
1979
Work: Humbug Mountain
Organization: The Horn Book
Result: winner
Hans Christian Andersen Award (U.S. nominee)
1994
Organization: International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY)
Result: nominee
Sid Fleischman Humor Award (inaugural honoree)
2003
Organization: Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)
Result: winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The Whipping Boy

1986 Children's literature

A humorous, witty tale about a spoiled prince and his whipping boy who escape together and form an unlikely friendship.

FriendshipClass and statusAdventureHumor
Adaptations
  • [Television film / stage adaptation] Prince Brat and the Whipping Boy (1994)
Translations
  • The Whipping Boy (Japanese translation)

By the Great Horn Spoon!

1963 Children's literature / Western

A young person's adventure set during the California Gold Rush, mixing humor with historical elements.

AdventureGold Rush / WesternFriendship
Adaptations
  • [Film] The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin / Robert Stevenson (1967)
Translations
  • By the Great Horn Spoon! (Japanese translation)

Humbug Mountain

1978 Children's literature

A story involving traveling printers and drifters, blending humor with local history.

JourneyWork and prideHumor

Bibliography

  • The Abracadabra Kid: A Writer's Life (1996)
  • Mr. Mysterious & Company (1962)
  • By the Great Horn Spoon! (1963)
  • Humbug Mountain (1978)
  • The Whipping Boy (1986)
  • The Ghost in the Noonday Sun (1965)
  • Jingo Django (1971)
  • Mr. Mysterious's Secrets of Magic (1975)
  • Sir Charlie: Chaplin, the Funniest Man in the World (2010)

Adaptations

  • The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin — film adaptation of By the Great Horn Spoon! (1967)
  • Ghost in the Noonday Sun — loose film adaptation of his novel (1973)
  • Prince Brat and the Whipping Boy — TV/stage adaptation of The Whipping Boy (1994)

Translations of Works

  • Mr. Mysterious & Company (German edition and other translations)
  • McBroom's Wonderful One-Acre Farm (English/other language editions)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Light, humorous narrative voiceUse of historical settingsVivid, image-driven descriptions
Recurring Motifs
Stage magicBits of American historyTall-tale, exaggerated folk elements

Legacy

Highly regarded for humor and storytelling in children's literature; uniquely shares the Newbery Medal with his son Paul Fleischman. SCBWI established the Sid Fleischman Humor Award in his name, and his influence on children's literature endures.

Academic Societies

  • Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)

Archives

  • Library of Congress catalog records available

In Popular Culture

  • Film adaptations such as By the Great Horn Spoon! → The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin (Disney, 1967)

Quotes

  • His works for children are known for their humor, imagery, and zesty plotting.
    Source: Los Angeles Times (obituary, 2010) (2010)

Trivia

  • Only parent-child pair (with son Paul Fleischman) to have both won the Newbery Medal.
  • Was involved in stage magic from a young age and incorporated magic into many works.
  • Inaugural recipient of the Sid Fleischman Humor Award, established by SCBWI to honor humorous children's/YA fiction.