Discover the amazing illustrated stories of seven women magicians who pulled off spectacular and death-defying illusions and acts, achieved global fame, and then simply...disappeared.During the Golden Age of Magic from 1860 to 1930, seven women magicians in America defied Victorian conventions and created a unique place in history for themselves and future performers to come. There was Anna, the mindreader; Adelaide, who could float in midair; Talma, who could magically shower the stage with gold coins...and many more!
During a time when women were typically confined to the home, these trailblazers crossed oceans on steamships and traveled the globe bringing their imaginative brand of magic to audiences around the world. They followed their hearts and pursued their dreams of performing magic in the spotlight when women had neither a vote nor a voice in America.
They made history. Yet once their career ended, so did their legacy.
For decades their stories were hidden, or overshadowed by male counterparts, but now they've come to life in this vibrant and captivating book.
On sale: September 9, 2025
Age: 8-12 years
Grade: Grades 3-7
Page count: 240 Pages
ISBN: 9780593712559
Reading level: Lexile: 1040L | Fountas/Pinnell: X
Anna Hays is a writer and producer. She is the author of
Vanished, a nonfiction portrait of the forgotten lives of famed women magicians who disappeared from history. She is also the author of
Stealing Starlight for Disney Press’s
Star Darlings fantasy series;
Spark Squad, an original series developed for Scholastic Book Clubs; and
Portia's Ultra Mysterious Double Life and
Portia's Exclusive and Confidential Rules on True Friendship, a middle grade series for Simon and Schuster. Anna lives with her family in the woodlands near Los Angeles.
★ "The compelling writing gets an added lift from McDevitt’s color illustrations....All together,
this artful little package will astonish its audience and likely vanish from the shelves (in a good way)." —
Booklist, starred review
"Hays does a commendable job of entertainingly chronicling the highs and lows of the magicians’ professional and personal lives.
Informative and inspiring." —
Kirkus Reviews
"
This book will delight young magicians or any readers interested in mysterious history....The eye-catching cover and title may encourage reluctant readers of nonfiction to explore these mystifying women of magical history." —
School Library Journal
