Rucker Moses is the writing duo behind Kingston and the Magician’s Lost and Found. Rucker Moses is the pen name of Craig S. Phillips and Harold Hayes Jr. In Kingston and the Magician’s Lost and Found, magic has all but disappeared in Brooklyn. But one tenacious young magician is determined to bring it back in this exciting middle grade mystery and series launch. Kingston has just moved from the suburbs back to Echo City, Brooklyn — the last place his father was seen alive. Kingston’s father was King Preston, one of the world’s greatest magicians. Until one trick went wrong and he disappeared. Now that Kingston is back in Echo City, he’s determined to find his father. See what Rucker Moses told us about their new book and see them take over our Twitter account today!
Young Entertainment Mag: Your new book Kingston and the Magician’s Lost and Found comes out this week! What is the story about?
Rucker Moses: Kingston James and his cousin Veronica and best friend Too Tall go on a magical quest within Echo City a Brooklyn neighborhood that is now a shadow of its once magical self. Kingston is determined to learn what really happened to his father who disappeared in a magic battle at the prestigious Mercury Theater and along the way he’ll discover real magic truly exists.
YEM: Where did the idea for this story come from?
Rucker Moses: The story came to life because we took an everyday occurrence like two scraggly gentlemen having a so-called magician’s battle in a park. We liked that premise and added characters, bonds, and lore to the event to grow it into a story.
YEM: This book takes place in Brooklyn. Is that where you are from? What makes Brooklyn the best place for this story?
Rucker Moses: Neither one of us from Rucker Moses (Craig and Harold) are from Brooklyn, but Theo Gangi was raised in Manhattan, but his father is a native of Brooklyn. The story takes place in Brooklyn because we felt that it’s a rich and diverse NYC neighborhood with lots of nooks and alleys where pick-up magic shows and battles could take place for those looking for the most talented magic acts.
YEM: Tell us about the main character Kingston. Is he based on anyone you know?
Rucker Moses: Kingston is full of heart. He’s whip smart and he is driven to believe that his father did not abandon him, but disappeared for a greater cause. Thus, Kingston is determined to learn all there is about the magic of those that came before him.
YEM: Magic is a big theme in this book. How long have you been interested in magic? What is it about magic that attracted you to writing about it?
Rucker Moses: Mordechai – the guys forgot to answer this one so please just exclude from interview.
YEM: Did you do any research on magic or magicians while writing this book?
Rucker Moses: We did a lot of research on magicians from Joseffy, Harry Houdini, and Herrmann the Great, but we discovered a group of great black magicians that were not as widely known to the general public. This is when we learned about Henry Box Brown, Richard Potter, Madame Deborah Sapphira, and ultimately Black Herman who plays a pivotal role within our story.
YEM: What’s your favorite magic trick of all time? Can you do any tricks yourself?
Rucker Moses: We are not magicians, so we don’t do our own tricks. Hooker’s Rising Card is our favorite trick…thus we put it in the book!
