Sid Fleischman, at 90; wrote children’s books

The cause was cancer, said his son, Paul. Paul Fleischman is also a Newbery medalist; he and Mr. Fleischman are the only father-and-son pair to have won the award.

Presented annually by the American Library Association, the Newbery Award is widely regarded as the Pulitzer Prize of children’s literature. Sid Fleischman received his in 1987 for “The Whipping Boy’’ (1986, illustrated by Peter Sis). A novella for 6-to-10-year-olds, it centers on the developing relationship between a spoiled young prince and the street urchin engaged to undergo punishments in his stead.

Mr. Fleischman’s work was praised by critics for its sly humor, carefully controlled suspense, and dexterous sleights-of-hand — qualities that had served him well in his previous careers as a magician, Hollywood screenwriter, and novelist for adults.

His other children’s books include “Humbug Mountain’’ (1978), illustrated by the artist and folk singer Eric von Schmidt, which was a National Book Award finalist. Mr. Fleischman was also known for his multivolume series of tall tales starring Josh McBroom, owner of a wondrous farm that despite its negligible size — precisely 1 acre — produces staggering bounty.

Mr. Fleischman’s nonfiction books for young people include a memoir, “The Abracadabra Kid’’ (1996), and biographies of Houdini and Mark Twain. A third biography, “Sir Charlie,’’ about Charlie Chaplin, is due from Greenwillow Books in June.

Albert Sidney Fleischman was born in Brooklyn and reared in San Diego. In childhood he taught himself sleight-of-hand from books. By the time he was a teenager, he was touring the country with vaudeville acts with names like Arthur Bull’s Francisco Spook Show.

Over time Mr. Fleischman compiled a handbook of magic tricks, “Between Cocktails,’’ which was published by the Abbott Magic Company when he was 19. While at San Diego State College, he began selling short stories to magazines.

In the late 1940s Mr. Fleischman began writing suspense novels for adults, among them “The Straw Donkey Case’’ (1948), “Shanghai Flame’’ (1955), and “Yellowleg’’ (1960). His first screenplay was “Blood Alley,’’ an adaptation of his 1955 novel of that name. Released in 1955, the film was directed by William A. Wellman and starred John Wayne and Lauren Bacall.

Mr. Fleischman’s other screenwriting credits include “Lafayette Escadrille’’ (1958, from a story by Wellman).

In addition to his son, Paul, Mr. Fleischman leaves two daughters, Jane Fleischman and Anne Fleischman Miller; a sister, Arleen Kornet; and four grandchildren. His wife, the former Betty Taylor, whom he married in 1942, died in 1993.