47 pages 1 hour read

Neil Patrick Harris, Illustr. Lissy Marlin

The Magic Misfits

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2017

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Background

Authorial Context: Neil Patrick Harris

While Neil Patrick Harris is widely recognized for his talents as an actor, singer, and performer, his foray into children’s literature with The Magic Misfits series offers a fresh perspective on his creative versatility. Harris claims that his interest in writing began in 2014 when he published his autobiography, Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography. In this book, he uses a choose-your-own-adventure style that encourages the reader to become an active part of the story. Harris employs a similar tactic in The Magical Misfits series, as the narrator speaks directly to the reader and the books include magic trick tutorials, puzzles, and secret codes. Harris says that the inspiration for the book series stemmed from his lifelong passion for magic. His love for magic began when he was a child and entered a magic shop for the first time. As a child actor, Harris appeared on The Johnny Carson Show in 1990 and performed a magic trick for the legendary host. Later in life, Harris became the producer of several magic shows and was the president of The Academy of Magical Arts for three years. Throughout his varied career, Harris continued cultivating his love for the art of magic, which was evident in his performances and public appearances.