Award-Winning Author Lisa Samson Offers an Imaginative Twist on a Classic Tale

Facing the Hunchback of Notre Dame by L.L. Samson
The Enchanted Attic, #1
Genre: Christian Juvenile Fiction
Pages: 144 Paperback
Date Published: May 8th, 2012
Publisher: Zonderkidz

Linus and Julia Easterday find themselves in the strangest situations. Repeatedly. And it’s entirely their own fault.

Introducing the first book of The Enchanted Attic series by award-winning author Lisa Samson, providing kids with a funny and unique introduction to classic literature. In book one, Facing the Hunchback of Notre Dame, twin twelve-year-olds Ophelia and Linus discover a hidden attic that once belonged to a mad scientist. Ophelia dozes off while reading one day, and seconds later she finds herself facing a fully alive and completely bewildered Quasimodo. Ophelia and Linus learn his story while searching for some way to get him back home—that is, if he can survive long enough in the modern world. Packed full of creativity and humor, and featuring a unique narrative voice that speaks directly to older elementary and middle school readers, Facing the Hunchback of Notre Dame offers a playful blend of entertainment and education. It grows children’s reading skills by offering a taste of larger themes and metaphors, and also gives kids a chance to interact with iconic literary characters in the present day. An excellent choice for librarians, classroom teachers, and homeschool educators, this series is a solid offering for both Christian and mainstream markets.

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Saving Moby Dick by L.L. Samson
The Enchanted Attic, #1
Genre: Christian Juvenile Fiction
Pages: 192 Paperback
Date Published: September 4th, 2012
Publisher: Zonderkidz

Using the mysterious powers found in their eccentric aunt and uncle’s attic, Linus, Ophelia, and their friend Walter bring Captain Ahab out of Book World and into Real World. After their experiences with Quasimodo, the kids think they’re meeting Ahab on their own terms. Unfortunately, they didn’t realize exactly how crazy Captain Ahab really is. Through the ensuing wild adventures, kids learn to love literature and discover positive life lessons at the same time.

Packed full of creativity and humor, and featuring a unique narrative voice that speaks directly to older elementary and middle school readers, Saving Moby Dick offers a playful blend of entertainment and education. It grows children’s reading skills by offering a taste of larger themes and metaphors, and also gives kids a chance to interact with iconic literary characters in the present day. An excellent choice for librarians, classroom teachers, and homeschool educators, this series is a solid offering for both Christian and mainstream markets.

Samson, the author of over twenty-five books, draws kids in through a witty narrator who never takes the job too seriously, a fun plot, and quirky characters with heart. Parents, teachers, and librarians will find The Enchanted Attic series a great tool for introducing children to classic literature and inspiring a love for great writing.

Classics are so important and it is always fun to find new ways to introduce and encourage kids to be enthusiastic about the stories. With the new Enchanted Attic series, Lisa Samson has come out with a great twist on bringing back some great tales that kids might otherwise skip. I know my knowledge of Quasimodo comes from Disney and I haven’t a clue about Moby Dick, except there is something to do with a whale. Having an introduction that is right on their level of reading skill and interest is fabulous! I think these will be great readers for the 9-12 age set, but even great read alouds for the younger. I wouldn’t hesitate to add these to our read aloud pile for the next year or so with my own AppleBlossom.

I already knew that I love Lisa Samson’s teen and younger writing from being completely captivated by the Hollywood Nobody series a few years ago, and I’m delighted to start collecting this series. I hope that she will not stop at a few books, but continue to keep the series growing to encourage and enrich a passion for reading and adventure with the Classics.

*Thanks to Zondervan for providing ARCs for review.*

Looking forward to the third in the series to be released in January 2013, Dueling with the Three Musketeers.