The Orphan's Wish

by Melanie Dickerson Narrated by Jude Mason

Overview

A reimagining of the beloved folktale, Aladdin, set in medieval Germany.

Orphaned and alone, Aladdin travels from the streets of his Arab homeland to a strange, faraway place. Growing up in an orphanage, he meets young Lady Kirstyn, whose father is the powerful Duke of Hagenheim. Despite the difference in their stations, Aladdin quickly becomes Kirstyn's favorite companion, and their childhood friendship grows into a bond that time and opposition cannot break.

Even as a child, Aladdin works hard, learning all he can from his teachers. Through his integrity, intelligence, and sheer tenacity, he earns a position serving as the duke's steward. But that isn't enough to erase the shame of being forced to steal as a small child-or the fact that he's an orphan with no status. If he ever wants to feel equal to his beautiful and generous friend Kirstyn, he must leave Hagenheim and seek his fortune.

Yet once Aladdin departs, Lady Kirstyn becomes a pawn in a terrible plot. Now, Aladdin and Kirstyn must rely on their bond to save her from unexpected danger. But will saving Kirstyn cost Aladdin his newfound status and everything he's worked so hard to obtain?

An enchanting new version of the well-known tale, The Orphan's Wish tells a story of courage and loyalty, friendship and love, and reminds us what “family” really means.

• Full length clean fairy tale reimagining
• Includes discussion questions for book clubs

Editorial Reviews

School Library Journal

06/01/2018
Gr 9 Up—Friendship blossoms into love for protagonists Aladdin and Kirstyn in Dickerson's take on the known fairy tale, set in the Holy Roman Empire. Former orphan Aladdin desires to make his fortune so he can one day prove himself to Duke Wilhelm of Hagenheim and ask for Kirstyn's hand in marriage. This requires that he leave Hagenheim and Kirstyn behind. Kirstyn and her mother regularly visited the orphanage where Aladdin had become her very best friend and protector on their many explorations into the forest. In his absence, Kirstyn is kidnapped, and when word reaches Aladdin, he must decide where his loyalties lie. Will she accept his imperfections? Will he meet Duke Wilhelm's expectations? If Kirstyn is found alive and rejects him, he risks losing all that he has labored to achieve. Questions regarding self-doubt, self-worth, and imperfection pervade this tale laced with evil, greed, jealousy, overindulgence, and violence. Christian fiction fans will relish Dickerson's eloquent story. VERDICT A good choice where retellings are popular.—Susan Harris, Ridgeway High School, TN

Product Details

BN ID:	2940170497560
Publisher:	Nelson, Thomas, Inc.
Publication date:	06/26/2018
Edition description:	Unabridged

Videos