I was given an ARC of Vanished from the publisher since I am working on a book club guide. I have never read any books about magicians but was thrilled to read Vanished and learn about seven women magicians. Anna Hays is an incredible researcher and writer. Each chapter is dedicated to a different magician and Hays makes sure to add compelling details, define key terms, and add historical context for the reader. I learned so much about magic, the role of vaudeville, and the cultural impact of these performers as I read this book. This middle grade book is perfect for students who love history, magic, or learning about people of the past who have overcome huge obstacles to fulfill their dreams.

Anna Hays, author of Vanished: Seven Women Magicians Who Simply Disappeared, unveils the mysteries, both on stage and off, of seven famous female magicians that in one way or another faded from the public eye in their later years. From the moment you pick up the book you’re pulled into the magnificent yet eerie world of turn of the 19th century magic.

Each mini-biography is lovingly crafted by the author. As an avid student of Anthropology I was immediately entranced by these bold women who refused not only to work outside the stereotypes of the role of women but who did it without shame and with a persistent refusal to be defeated.

Although this is a middle grade book, adults who are unfamiliar with these women, some contemporary with, and simply as audacious as Harry Houdini, the read is fascinating and engaging.

I was surprised to learn that the title refers to the lost histories of women magicians, but really appreciate the research and portrayals that went into this book! This was a fascinating look at the history of vaudeville, carnival performances, and the evolution of magic. In some cases, the women were lost to history, and in the case of Houdini's wife Bess, she was hidden in his shadow. The portrayals of women who started as orphans or farm girls were really inspiring, as these women took a chance based on passion and a dream.

I thought it was really neat to see how women could make a name for themselves, travel, and headline shows at a time when womens' rights were nearly nonexistant. In many cases, they lost their fortunes and/or their love, but hopefully they will get another chance at recognition through this bright, colorful, historic book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the free copy in exchange for a review.

This book was so much fun. I find myself incredibly interested in things like magic and Performing Arts, and when I found this book on Galley and you, I had to read it. And it was such a good read - I loved learning about the lives of the seven different women, and I adored all of the images and pictures that the author used in the books, both Illustrated and photos from the actual magicians.

I really enjoyed reading Vanished: Seven Woman Magicians Who Simply Disappeared by Anna Hayes. The book is a vibrant and engaging dive into the Golden Age of Magic, chronicling the lives of trailblazing women who defied Victorian norms to perform death-defying illusions and claim global fame. Hayes brings to life the remarkable stories of magicians like Anna, the mindreader; Adelaide, who seemed to float in midair; and Talma, who dazzled audiences by showering the stage with gold coins, among others. The detailed illustrations and historical context add a rich layer of depth that makes the narrative both informative and captivating.

However, I felt that the portrayal of Bess could have been more independent of her association with Houdini. Throughout the book, Bess seemed to exist in his shadow, which was a bit disappointing considering the book’s focus on celebrating these remarkable women as pioneers in their own right.

Overall, Vanished is a fascinating read that sheds light on a forgotten chapter of history, celebrating the resilience and creativity of women magicians during a time when they had little voice in society. I’m giving it 4.5 stars—a commendable tribute to these extraordinary performers, with just a minor shortfall in fully distinguishing Bess’s own legacy.

Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this one in exchange for an honest review!

This is a children’s nonfiction book all about women magicians. The author focused on 7 different women magicians in history.

This was a great read! It was very interesting to learn about these magicians. I liked the pictures as well. There was a lot of good information and I think kids will enjoy this one!