Black and Blue Magic [Paperback]

Zilpha Keatley Snyder (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 13, 2004

You'd think that someone with a name like Harry Houdini Marco would be deft and skillful, but Harry could only occasionally catch even an easy fly ball without making some dumb error. On top of that, most of his friends' families were moving to the suburbs. It would have been a long, dreary summer, but then a Mr. Mazeeck showed up and turned out to be more than he seemed.

This now classic book was first published by Atheneum in 1966. It was selected by Scholastic Books for inclusion in the Arrow Book Club and later republished in a Dell Yearling edition in 1988.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

The recipient of three Newbery Honor Book awards for The Egypt Game, The Headless Cupid, and The Witches of Worm, Zilpha Keatly Snyder's first book was published in 1964. Since that time she has authored 42 books, mostly for children aged 9 to 13, but also including two books for young adults, four picture books for younger children and a book of poetry.

Product Details

• Paperback: 196 pages
• Publisher: Backinprint.com (July 13, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595321828
• ISBN-13: 978-0595321827
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.4 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #422,871 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 42 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars a great summer reader for children who want to dream July 6, 1999

By [e-mail]

Format:Paperback

I read this book about 25-30 yrs ago right after school let out for the summer . I still remember the great feeling of dreaming that I was able to fly just like the lead character into the night after everyone was asleep....the stars and blueness of the night still remind me of the magic that was found in the pearly magic cream....I have seven children and I have introduced this book to each of them as they reach the fine age when summer vacation is a true treat ..and I once again go flying ,but now with them as they tell me how much fun they are having reading it. This book will never leave the children behind......

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Childhood Treasure November 29, 1997

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

I read this when I was about 10. I've searched for it ever since. 25 years later Amazon found it for me. All I remembered was my love of this book, the magic vial containing a pearly potion that made a lonely young boy sprout wings, his clumsy first flights in a carriage house, then a flight over a foggy park where he was mistaken for an angel. When I read the book as an adult I was shocked to find I had assimlated much of this book into my own life. I had even moved 1500 miles and now live less than a mile from the neighborhood that it is set in. I had always wondered why I was driven to live here. I'd love to read it again now, but I have given away my copy, again, to an 11 year old boy. Give it to any child. It is magic.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A dark, mysterious, flying fantasy story for any age. April 27, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

I read this book when I was around 9 and really believe this is where I first learned to "disappear" into a story. What a fantasy world. I absorbed every word and agree with another reviewer of this book that "The Velvet Room" was also just as wonderful. I gave my book away to one of my friend's children and, even though I was glad that they could experience such a wonderful story, I have regretted it ever since because I wanted to jump into those pages again. So, I'm glad to see it's still available and many other children can enjoy disappearing as well.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A forever favorite. April 5, 1999

By Margaret Fiore

Format:Paperback

I loved this book as a kid, and went looking for it to feed to my daughter, a voracious and advanced 8-year-old reader. She loved it as much as I had. And together we are discovering the rest of Zilpha Keatley Snyder's books. I don't know who is enjoying these more, me or her! They are absolutely wonderful, every one of them. Thank you forever, Ms. Snyder.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars As a child and now as a father I continue to love this book October 16, 1998

By A Customer

Format:Turtleback

You can't imagine a book that stays with you for over 25yrs.. As a parent I continue to tell the story to my children from memory. My daughter loves the story so much I decieded to search for a copy.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A book about a kid that makes the best of his unique gifts March 30, 1998

By A Customer

Format:Turtleback

I am the mother of a 5-year old boy and an 8-year old girl and it can be difficult to find books that appeal to them both. This book held their attention and they always wanted me to read "just one more chapter". The main character is given a gift that enables him to fly and he uses the wings to strengthen his body and soul. He learns valuable lessons that he carries with him even when the wings are not present. This book stands the test of time (I read it 30 years ago). My kids enjoyed it so much that I bought an extra copy for our school library.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I wish it were a movie. August 22, 1997

By A Customer

Format:Turtleback

I read this book as a small boy. Again as a young adult. Yet again as a blossoming parent. I reserve a certain pride and pleasure in reading it to my children. They think Daddy is a wonderful narrator. I've never told them of my almost obsessive fascination with this brilliantly humorous, inspiring, touching story that has kept me coming back again and again. Let's see it as a movie. I think Disney should be very interested

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A childhood classic November 11, 2011

By too_old_to_be_so_indie

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I loved this book as a boy, and I still reread it every few years. I recently bought a new copy to pass on to my 12-year-old nephew. The book takes the dream of flight and makes it real for a young fatherless boy who, through the course of the story, also grows into a young man.

Zilpha Keatley Snyder came and spoke to my class in 5th grade, and that's one of my strongest memories from elementary school.