The adventures of a family of magicians traveling across the western deserts and plains in the 1880s.

"Discusses the life of children's author Sid Fleischman, including his childhood, writing career, and his advice for young writers"--Provided by publisher.

A Prince and a Pauper Jemmy, once a poor boy living on the streets, now lives in a castle. As the whipping boy, he bears the punishment when Prince Brat misbehaves, for it is forbidden to spank, thrash, or whack the heir to the throne. The two boys have nothing in common and even less reason to like one another. But when they find themselves taken hostage after running away, they are left with no choice but to trust each other.

As a boy, Sid Fleischman lived for magic. He visited a sideshow in 5th grade that changed his life. From that moment on, he was consumed with the world of magic. He published his first book, Between Cocktails, when he was 19. It was a book about magic tricks. Kids will learn how this was a turning point for Sid Fleischman; how this book made him think about writing. They will find out how his life as a magician, and his many other experiences, helped him write such popular books as the McBroom series and Newbery Award-winning book, The Whipping Boy.