The Incredibly Amazing and Magical Flying Chair: Part I

By Bob Shumaker and Nancy Machlis Rechtman

Noah Gibson comes from a family that has magic in their blood. He is also an overly imaginative seventh grader whose magician father has mysteriously disappeared. The only clue Noah has to his father’s sudden departure is a magical reading chair in the attic. Noah believes the chair has the power to transport the person sitting in it anywhere they wish, but he has trouble convincing his friends and family. When a little white lie told to his teacher and classmates grows into increasingly fantastical stories about his summer vacation, Noah must find out once and for all whether the reading chair is truly magical, or if his imagination has consumed him. If it’s true, then Noah might just have a chance at finding his father and bringing him home safely.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Aug 20, 2023
• ISBN: 9798823011365

Bob Shumaker

Bob Shumaker, author of thirteen books, was raised in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, and now lives in Simpsonville, South Carolina, with his wife, Sharon. He retired early from his sales and marketing company to focus on one of his lifelong passions: writing. His ‘Schmooney’ character was selected as the prestigious ‘South Carolina State Mascot for Literacy’ and was also named the ‘City Mascot of Simpsonville, South Carolina’. Bob’s books appeal to all age groups. Nancy Machlis Rechtman has had stories published in a number of children’s magazines, most notably several times in Highlights Magazine for Children. She has had several children's plays and musicals both produced and published. She is a member of SCBWI. Nancy has had numerous stories and poems published in various literary journals and she has also had poetry, essays, and plays published in various anthologies.

Book preview

Chapter

One

Pick a card, any card, Noah said to Olivia as he fanned out the deck of playing cards, highlighting the cool electric blue pattern on the backs.

Noah, we don’t have time, Olivia reminded her brother as she looked at her watch. We’re going to be late for school!

It’s OK. Mom’s driving us to school today, he reminded her. Now come on, pick a card - please.

You know Dad once asked me to do the same thing - pick a card, any card? Olivia said.

Yeah, he was a good magician. What happened?

I picked a card all right. I picked his credit card. Olivia laughed.

Wait! You what? Noah asked.

Yeah. I told him a week later, she said casually.

No. You didn’t! Really? Noah asked, bewildered.

Nah, not really. But it makes for a good joke, doesn’t it? She laughed again.

Yep. Good one. Now come on. Pick a card.

Olivia carefully eyed each electric-blue card in front of her. She slowly reached and cautiously pulled a card out from the deck between her brother’s fingers. She peeked at her card and placed it in her palm so that Noah couldn’t see it.

Noah closed his eyes briefly while concentrating, mainly for effect, and announced, You’ve got the queen of spades.

Yeah, I do. How did you do that? Olivia wondered as she stared at the card she had chosen.

Noah! Olivia! We’re late for school. Get down here. I’m leaving now! yelled their mom from the downstairs kitchen.

Hey, we’ve got to go. I’ll tell you later. With that, Noah carefully retrieved Olivia’s queen, placed it with the rest of the cards, then into the pack, and gently dropped the pack into his backpack. They hurriedly trotted down the stairs to the first floor of their duplex.

Good morning, Mom, they both said as they walked briskly through the kitchen and out the back door, then climbed into the family’s old Toyota Camry, with Noah taking the front seat.

Their mom drove from their eastside home toward the middle school. They were right on time. She asked, Are you having fun in your new school yet, Olivia?

I’m slowly getting used to it. It’s a big change and it’s a big school, but Noah is helping me, Olivia said from the back seat, patting her brother’s shoulder.

I know it can be hard to start at a new school and keep up with all the work, all the new friends, and keep your grades up all at the same time, Mrs. Gibson said. But I also have faith in you, and I know you’ll do great. And having your brother there to help guide the way must be reassuring.

Noah grinned. What do you say, Liv, have I been reassuring?

Olivia returned his grin. Actually, you have, she said, surprising him.

The day was already warm, just like most August mornings. Noah opened his front seat window. A cooling breeze entered the car. While he was looking out the window, he said, Hey, I liked your joke.

What joke? his mom asked as she successfully navigated their car through their parking lot and turned right on the main road.

Yeah, what joke? Olivia asked.

The one about Dad’s credit card. Olivia told me a joke. It was good, Noah said.

Oh, yeah. Sure. Thanks, Oliva responded.

You know, that’s what I need to do, Noah said, nodding his head. I need jokes in my magic act.

What magic act? Olivia asked as her blonde hair blew in the breeze.

Yes, Noah, what magic act? their mom asked pointedly.

The one that I’m putting together … a magic act like Dad’s, Noah replied.

Wait. What? Oh no. No. A magic act like your dad’s? his mom said, momentarily taking her eyes off the road to look at Noah. Remembering that she was driving, she refocused on the road ahead and added, "You mean Dad’s magic act sawing people in half to such small crowds that you can’t make any money, and you and your family slowly starve to death? You mean that magic act?"

No. No, Noah said, shaking his head. Not like that. I’ll have a good-paying job, and then I’ll have my magic act for fun.

You mean like a hobby, right? asked Olivia.

Yeah, Noah agreed, looking at his mom. A hobby … right.

And so, his mom sarcastically responded, as a hobby you will make people disappear, and you’ll also be a comedian … and you’ll do both … at the same time?

Yeah, something like that, Noah answered unconvincingly, as if he was just now visualizing what that meant. Yeah, something like that, he repeated softly.

The only thing that will disappear, Noah, will be your bank account, Olivia added.

Mrs. Gibson laughed and was now settling down into the morning traffic. Good one, Livvy, she said.

No. Really. I’m on to something here, and I’ll prove it. I’ll show you both later, Noah said assuredly.

This trip to school went quickly for a change. Noah noticed that their car was already in the carpool lane, and the cars were moving briskly to the student drop-off area. He had a moment, so he looked into the mirror located behind his sun visor. Although he didn’t consider himself vain, he wanted to make sure his normally well-combed hair was back in place. He gently ran his fingers through his brown hair, keeping it away from his eyes, and looked at it from different directions to make sure it was perfect. He was pleased with the outcome, and tilting the sun visor back in place, he said, Thanks, Mom, see you tonight, and exited the car.

Remember, their mom announced, you both will be taking the bus home after school today, OK?

Yeah, thanks, Mom, Olivia said. And Mom, Noah will be all right. He’s still getting over Dad being gone. See you later.

Olivia stepped out of the car and closed the car door. She joined her brother on the sidewalk as they both watched kids gathering in groups near the entrance and parents saying goodbye to their children. The two of them walked up the front stairs and Noah pushed open the large wooden door that marked the entrance. Brother and sister walked under the recently cleaned wooden sign that read Richardson Middle School in bold letters. The long hallway was filled with bright colors, rows of lockers, and bustling clusters of animated students as they headed to their classrooms. Noah knew that his sister was relieved that he was by her side, as he had been all this first week, and he felt a protective urge suddenly wash over him as they walked down the middle of the hallway. He said, The first week is a little intimidating, but you’re doing great.

Olivia smiled. I can take it from here, she said. Thanks. Then she headed to her homeroom class.

Noah watched his younger sister descend into the mass of students who had gathered where the two hallways intersected. When Olivia was greeted by a friend, she turned and gave her brother a faint wave. Noah waved back and nodded. He felt confident that she would be fine, so he turned to head back up the hallway to his class. Perhaps he was protecting his sister like a dad would have done. Maybe that was his new role? But since their father wasn’t around any longer, he decided it was the right thing to do, so he was becoming the security for Olivia. He didn’t mind.

Soon, Noah’s two closest friends joined up with him, and as they walked