الرجل العجيب و شركاه

by Sid Fleischman, عفاف فؤاد (ترجمة)

A magic show is in town!

See Jane float through the air. Watch the head in the box move its lips and talk (that's Paul behind the whiskers). See tall, light-hearted Mr. Mysterious--Pa himself--make a cow lay an egg and a chicken give milk. Follow the adventures and high comedy of this family of magicians traveling in a show wagon through the Old West. The wonder workers are heading for California, where Pa intends to retire the show so that the kids can go to school. But the frontier has tricks of its own up its sleeve, and the magicians find themselves in hairbreadth escapes and nose-to-nose encounters with villains galore--including the notorious and short-tempered Badlands Kid. Mr. Mysterious & Company, otherwise known as the Hackett family, is a traveling magic show making its way across the country toward California. When this family passes through town in their brightly painted wagon, anything can happen--even the capture of a notorious bandit, the Badlands Kid!

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Childrens, Young Adult, Juvenile, Middle Grade, Magic

196 pages, Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1962

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

[wanderer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A family travels the country in their covered wagon, giving magic shows in whatever tiny Western town they come to. Each family member has their part in the show, even the animals.

This book is so much fun to read aloud, and the kids liked it a lot. It's a great combination of history, adventure, family, and just plain silliness.

Some of my favorite parts are Abracadabra Days (one day out of the year when the three kids can be as bad as they like), the Badlands Kid (an outlaw who terrorizes the area), and the night Pa's away and the rest of the family is almost attacked by Indians.

The illustrations, however, are atrocious: sloppy pen and ink drawings with loops and scribbles and randomly oversized cowboy boots and wagon wheels. As a kid, it almost kept me from reading the book, and I spent a lot of time wondering why they're like that. Still wondering...

2nd reading: this book just never gets old for me. This author is my absolute favorite read-aloud.

[Mohamed Abo-Elgheit · Rating 4 out of 5]

هذا عالم نقي بسيط لا وجود له إلا في خيال مؤلف ذكي جدا ومبدع جدا

[Ramy · Rating 4 out of 5]

قصة ظريفة جدا و جميلة ....مبهجة تعطيك شحنة طاقة ايجابية
عن "حاوي" ساحر متجول و زوجته و ابناؤه الثلاثة " بنت كبرى - ولد - بنت صغرى"
و بقرته
وحصانيه هوكاس و بوكاس
فى المدن الصغرى المتفرقة فى الغرب الامريكي يقومو بتقديم عروض سحرية
فهم الساحر و معاونوه خلال العرض
و خلال الايام الاخرى هم اسرة صغيرة مترابطة و متعاونة

اعجبتنى طريقة تربية الاب و الام للصغار
حنو بالغ و تربية ايجابية و ضرب فى احيان نادرة ....و "يوم الغفران" يوم ف السنة من حق كل طفل من الثلاثة ارتكاب الاخطاء
دونما اى لوم او تقريع من الاب و الام
و كان تقبل الاب و الام فى اصعب الظروف ...كون مزاج الابن او الابنة ان يكون هذا اليوم و هذا الوقت بالذات
هو "يوم الغفران" الخاص به

اعجبتنى تضحية الاب ب....... لشراء كلب للصغار
و كيف ضحى الصغار - لاحقا - ب......... لشراء ساعة للاب
و كيف ضحى الاب ب....... لشراء ماكينة خياطة للام
و كيف ضحت الام ب....... لشراء سلسلة لساعة الاب

و مواقفهم و مغامراتهم فى كل بلدة دخلوها
و معاونتهم للناس الطيبين و معاونة الناس لهم

و اخيرا نجاحهم معا فى تحقيق هدفهم فى نهاية القصة وصولا ل .......

بحثت عن اسم المؤلف
Sid Fleischman
فوجدته على موقع السينما ال IMDb
هو مؤلف لأفلام لعالم ديزنى ما بين 1950-1990
هذا هو سر البهجة و التفاؤل و البسمة فى هذه الرواية

إن أردت قراءة رواية عن مغامرة عائلة متكاتفة على جزيرة
عائلة من سويسرا
اما عن مغامرة لطيفة باسمة لعائلة متكاتفة خلال رحلة فى الغرب المقفر فيمكنك قراءة هذه الرواية

الكتاب القادم : قلم النجار

[Laura María · Rating 2 out of 5]

Se me hizo mucha bola, luego fue mejorando pero deja que desear

[Tate]

*spoiler Alert*
This book is a great but short book. It is about a traveling magic show, called Mr. Mysterious & Company, in the old western times. The show is made up of a family with a Mom, Dad, two girls and one boy. They all travel in a covered wagon with shiny gold wheels and a red cover that says Mr. Mysterious & Company. They travel to many towns, and put on many shows, but throughout their journey they encounter outlaws and native Americans.
This book was not very exciting, but I loved it. It was exciting when the non friendly native Americans came to take all their stuff, but they scared them off with magic tricks. Another exciting part was when they found the outlaw and caught him. That was exciting for me because the outlaw was in disguise. The story was exciting at times, sometimes boring and sometimes funny.
I think this book is a great book, it was funny at times, and I like funny books. I am probably going to read more books by this author. I would recommend this book to people who like a good short book. I think some people might find this book a bit boring, but it is still a great book.

[Debra B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks again to BRENDA for finding this book. I am pretty sure it is the book I read in elementary school, but could not remember the title and the author. The simple rustic black ink illustrations seem awfully familiar to me. What a creative way to educate young adults about what the Old West was like in the 1880's and the traveling shows of that time. A very sweet story.

[Zev · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was entranced by this book as a kid. How fun it must be, I thought, to be in a traveling magic show! I cheered the family on as they traveled. I kept thinking a bustle was a bustier, but misspelled. It is quite a different garment altogether. Whenever I read the part about Jane telling the sherriff she'd brush the filly every day, I always interpreted it as her trying to flirt. Now that I'm an adult, that part just comes off as creepy. Jane, you are twelve. The sherriff is much older! I don't remember when I outgrew this book, but I did. I thought it'd be fun to read it again. Over time, it turns out that I'd forgotten enough of the book to think that three separate subplots were actually entirely different novels on their own. No, it's all in one.

This is a quick read, and it's--boring. It's definitely for children, but I don't intend to be derisive. It's just odd to return to, when I remembered something so different. Much was made of Jane wanting to wear her hair up, not in a braid, and I--okay, sure. I don't know a lot about the history of hairstyles. I figured the reason Jane has to wait until she's fifteen is probably because that's when girls started being called on or courted. As a kid, I tried to start an Abracadabra Day in my household. My parents were not amused. As an adult, I remembered Paul's Abracadabra Day vaguely, but that was it. What a treat it was to read about Anne's and Jane's! How clever, and well-characterized. Anne's made me laugh, and I actually read the passage twice. But I wasn't attached to anyone in the book. I didn't care overall. There were interesting moments, and I'm glad I read it again. But if I want to read about a family on a wagon trail, I'll stick to "Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie" of the Dear America series.

[Yani · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't read this book in what must be at least 35 years... but the copy I have is falling apart and I wanted to at least read it one last time before I sent it on it's way.

And it's sweet. It's simple, and if I'm honest almost feels like the middle volume of a trilogy (which it's not as far as I'm aware). The story is clearly already in progress and has been for a good while when we encounter the characters, and it will definitely continue in new ways after we leave them at the end of the book.

It's also just a series of simple scenes, they encounter different towns, different people, run into different problems, but nothing has enormous stakes, it's all simple things that are solved easily, or don't matter in the scheme of things. And that's a story style not to be sneezed at.

On the flip side of that, nothing really happens. I could have done with more of the story to be honest, even if they're going to have simple, easily solved problems, give me more of them, or more that happen across the timeline of the book. And the character of Mrs Mysterious (or Mama as she's mostly referred to) is often barely a character at all, more a stylised idea of what a fictional "perfect" mother should be.

The illustrations in this edition by Joan Beales are lovely (yes, the illustrations of Native Americans are a little problematic, but has more to do with the age of the book).

So while I won't have any problem with letting this book go, I am glad I took one last ride with Mr Mysterious and Company.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am an adult Sid Fleischman uber fan so my review is biased. I loved the vision of this unique family traveling overland to California in a covered wagon. Like all SF books, it offers beautifully crafted descriptions of landscape and nature, human emotion and experience coupled with a careful historical research, fun plot and theme. It is definitely worth the read for Sid Fleischman fans. If I am not mistaken, this book was written for his own kids. It helped a lot to have already read his autobiography. It made it feel like I was in on a secret. It incorporates many elements of his personal life into the story.

[Arlie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved this book so much as a child - the adventure, the fun, the setting! I was really excited to reread it with my son. He also loved it. As I read it, I had to edit out some of the sections that were racist to indigenous peoples. It's certainly not the whole book, but it's enough that I am retiring it from my bookshelf. A great story, well written, but there are other books out there that don't perpetuate and normalize racist views. Without the racism it would be 5 stars.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you get into a story and just don't want to stop reading... those are the moments I live for. This was a fun and fast read aloud for my child and I. I'm excited to read more by Fleischman as he has such a delightful way of telling stories!

[Sharon Buxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A. children's fiction, grade 4, American West, family, pioneers, magic show, Weekly Reader Book Club, Mom's stash, keep. Just as good as when I used to read it to my 4th grade classrooms.

[Silas · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a good book.

[Linnea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun historical novel that gets better every time I read it

[Hoogie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Elise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Old story, the escapades of a little family. Easy, cute little read.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this out loud to the kids sometime earlier this year. Forgot to mark it on here! We all enjoyed it. :)

[David Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot remember a time when I wasn’t a reader. From superhero comic books to 1,000-page epics to Brit Lit classics and today’s political commentaries, I’ve never stopped reading. Why? I blame my Mom. She made me a reader at bedtime. Most every night, she would tuck me in, plop a cat down by my feet, and then sit on the edge of my bed and read to me. Over the years, we read a variety of books, some over and over again. I will discuss a number of them in the course of this year’s 52 Favorites, but today’s post is about a particular favorite: Mr. Mysterious and Company.

Written by Newberry Award-winner author Sid Fleischman in 1962, Mr. Mysterious and Company is about a family of traveling magicians in the Old West. The book has been called The Grapes of Wrath for children. The Hackett family is making a trip from Texas to California where they hope to finally settle down, thereby offering the three Hackett children a “normal” life. Along the way, of course, adventure ensues. The Hacketts even encounter a notorious villain known as the Badlands Kid.

What I remember most about the book, however, was not the danger and adventure the Hackett family faced, exciting as it was. I was enthralled by the idea of Abracadabra Day. Once a year, each of the Hackett children could play a prank on their family without fear of punishment. In other words, no grounding, no extra chores, no being sent to bed early, not even a lecture. All the culprit had to do was proclaim it Abracadabra Day when the prank was discovered. Tada, just like real magic, all punishment vanished.

Mr. Mysterious and Company demonstrates that great books are more than poetic prose, true-to-life characters, and the clever, witty use of literary elements. You’ll find all these in Mr. Mysterious to be sure. But you’ll find more. You’ll find Abracadabra Day, an idea that transcends time and generations. Everyone could use a few instances of Abracadabra Day in their lives. Some more than others!

Abracadabra Day is not only a great idea because, as every parent and educator knows, kids will be kids. They will cause mischief and sometimes headaches. They will do things in seeming attempts to simply get away with doing them. The magical day allows them to succeed once a year. Moreover, Abracadabra Day connects author Fleischman to his young readers. By inventing it, he proves that he should be writing for children. He knows his audience and, more importantly, he can relate to them.

[Books Kids Like · Rating 4 out of 5]

Andrew Perkins Hackett, alias Mr. Mysterious, is a magician extraordinaire. Along with his family, Andrew has traveled the country with his magic show. Now the Hackett's are on their way to California where they will settle down, raise cattle, and educate their children. In Lone City, the Hacketts are befriended by a little dog that can perform tricks. After the show, the dog follows them and so does his owner. Accused of stealing the dog, Andrew pulls out a rabbit out of the owner's hat and accuses him of stealing the rabbit. The men agree to a trade, and the dog joins Mr. Mysterious' company. Next, the Hackett's meet the Badlands Kid who is posing as a U.S. marshal. They perform some trickery to catch him. A little later in their journey, Ma uses Andrew's magic lantern show to thwart an Indian attack. Adventures like these follow them all the way to San Diego where a surprise awaits.
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com

[Tricia Abel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I still remember this book from my childhood. We had a teacher that would read it to us in class and I was enthralled with the whole premise of a traveling family of magicians. I'm nervous about re-reading it as an adult. Will it lose it's magic? I recently found a copy and purchased it, but I think I'll hold off on reading it until my little guy is old enough to enjoy it.

[Josephine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is, in many ways, typical of Sid Fleischman: a family (in some configuration) is traveling through the U.S. Southwest in the mid to late nineteenth century. In this case, it's a nuclear family, headed by a magician father, as they move from Texas to California with the aim of giving the kids a "normal" life.

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like pioneer stories and haven't read this yet, then you are missing out. Coolest parents ever have a traveling magic show and encounter adventures on their path to California. Thank you to all the Betsy friends who identified the book for me. I had been searching for 33 years!

[Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book as a kid. By a lot.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had this book read to my in 4th grade..and I have never forgotten it. A wonderful story of moving west and adventures found within!

[Kaijsa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super cute. I love his drawings! I would have loved this as a kid. Not as good as By the Great Horn Spoon, though. Still very well-written and a fun quick read.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Fleischman has a wry wit and smart pen, something rare in children's stories.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this as a kid. Still quote scenes from it.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delightful/charming story, where the trouble is never too dangerous and the solutions are always intriguing. A study in pioneer life (to some extent) but mostly a sweet family tale.

[Reverenddave · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beloved classic from my childhood. Holds up.

[Lainey Hambelton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun to read again.....the kids loved it!