James has never heard of a magic lantern.
When his new teacher gives the class random topics for a school project, James pulls magic lantern out of the bowl. There's just one problem - he has no idea what it is.
A trip to the library should help him find some answers. Instead, James suddenly finds himself somewhere quite different. There are no computers, no electricity and a real magic lantern show is about to begin.
With the help of Bill, a travelling magic lantern operator, James discovers glowing images, moving slides, strange lemonade and a whole new way of telling stories. He also learns something that might help with the part of his school project he's dreading most: presenting it to his class.
But first, James has to work out where he is - and how to get home.
James and the Magic Lantern is a fun time-travel adventure for curious young readers who enjoy discovering how people entertained, communicated and shared stories before the technology we use today.