The Magic Misfits

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. Harris and his husband, David Burtka, once owned a Harlem brownstone flat with a secret magic office that could be accessed by tapping a poster on the wall to reveal a secret entrance. The office featured magical art, oddities, and even a talking parrot.

By creating a novel centered around a group of young magicians, Harris pays homage to his passion while inspiring young readers’ interest in the arts and encouraging them to embrace their creativity, individuality, and sense of adventure. Harris feels that the art of magic is an intellectual pursuit long before it becomes a visual performance, and he enjoys inspiring children to take on the challenge of studying and practicing magic. He feels that the subject is ideally suited for children who don’t find a sense of purpose or belonging in mainstream hobbies like sports. Through the characters of The Magic Misfits, Harris presents a diverse group of young protagonists who forge meaningful friendships and discover the real magic that lies hidden within themselves. The characters each have unique challenges in life, but their differences are not the story’s sole focus. For example, Leila’s adoption and Ridley’s use of a wheelchair are just part of who they are; these attributes are not singled out as the entire essence of their personality. Harris, who is the parent of twins, says that he and his husband encourage reading in their home and wanted to create a book that their children would enjoy. Harris dedicated the book to his children, Harper and Gideon, and looks forward to when he can begin sharing his love of magic with them. Harris’s background as a performer and storyteller informs his approach to writing. Drawing upon his experiences in the entertainment industry, Harris infused the novel with suspense, humor, and heartfelt emotion, creating an immersive and inclusive experience (Young, Robin. “Neil Patrick Harris on Magic, Writing His New YA Novel, ‘The Magic Misfits: The Minor Third.’” WBUR, 23 Sept. 2019).