Twins Linus and Ophelia Easterday are deserted by their parents and left with their aunt and uncle, Portia and Augustus Sandwich, for five long years. Their aunt and uncle own and run a store that sells old and rare books. What is there to enjoy while there? Ophelia is a bookworm and loves to read, but Linus would rather build things.

Portia Sandwich is a delightfully entertaining character when it comes to cooking. Her idea of variety doesn't have to do with serving dishes from different food groups. She believes that variety just means you fix one item several different ways. So for dinner one day you could have mashed potatoes, potato soup, and potato salad.

They hear rumors of a mad scientist who used to live there, but no one knows what happened to him; he just disappeared. Then the kids stumble across his secret laboratory hidden off the attic. Now here is something to keep them entertained. This is just the beginning of their adventures.

Bookworm Ophelia is reading The Hunchback of Notre Dame. While reading the book, she unwittingly brings the real hunchback of Notre Dame to her location. Can you imagine what would happen if one of the characters in a book you were reading came to life right before your eyes?

Ophelia is a bit scared at first, but quickly loses of her fear of this gigantic hunchback once she begins talking to him. He is, of course, a bit freaked out. One minute he is in the stocks having garbage and raw vegetables thrown at him, the next he is in an attic somewhere and has no idea how he got there.

Ophelia and her brother quickly make friends with him. Now all they have to do is keep their aunt and uncle oblivious to his presence, elude one other who has been brought from the book to retrieve him, and transport him back to the proper time before he melts like the wicked witch from The Wizard of Oz. Oh, and Ophelia has to finish reading the book, or he melts anyway.

Facing the Hunchback of Notre Dame, written by L. L. Samson, is quite an enjoyable read. Bartholomew Inkster, a janitor at a university, is the one who tells the story. He interjects sayings and teachings that are hilarious throughout the story. His way of telling the story makes you feel as if he is sitting right in front of you talking away.

This book was written to be enjoyed by those age 9 and up, but even if your child is younger and has to have some of it read to him, I believe he or she would still be thrilled by this fantasy. I was sent a copy of this book tfree of charge by NetGalley. If you would like a copy of this book for you or your child to enjoy, I have provided an Amazon link to it below.