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This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Samuel Warren Joseph & Phil Proctor. All opinions are my own.
book Information
The Magic Maze Trilogy
Written by Samuel Warren Joseph & Phil Proctor Ages: 9-12 | 244 Pages Publisher: Sam/Phil Books (2025) | ISBN: 979-8-9927464-6-4 Publisher’s Book Summary: The Magic Maze Trilogy includes three books: Tyler and Tess in the Magic Maze; Madness in the Magic Maze; and Escape from the Magic Maze. It is about eleven-year old fraternal twins, Tyler and Tess Porter, who accidentally get sucked up into the bizarre world of the Magic Maze. Geared to appeal to children from seven to thirteen and older fantasy fans as well, the story propels the twins into an “Alice in Wonderland/Wizard of Oz” world. In order to return home, they must get through twelve separate parts of the maze. Each is its own world with strange rules, riddles and puzzles that the twins must solve using their wits, knowledge and athletic prowess. Tyler and Tess learn how much they mean to each other as they evade the evil QUEEN ZEBRA and her ZENTAURIAN GUARD of two-faced POLINERDS, and a duplicitous wizard, SIMON PERCIVAL. They form alliances with the rebel TRIDGETS (tiny trolls with Mohawk hairdos) led by the feisty BELKIN, and an assortment of other bizarre and funny characters. At the end, they must track down and put back together three parts of a MAGIC AMULET before they can be finally transported home, safe and sound. Author Interview
Where did you get the inspiration for The Magic Maze Trilogy?
I had always loved fantasy but had mostly written feature films and animation. I was also teaching in the public schools at the time I conceived The Magic Maze and wanted to write a book in this genre that was also educational. After writing the first chapter of the book, I asked Phil Proctor to partner with me and he agreed. As a twin parent, I'm always interested in media that portrays twins. What led you to choose twin characters? I wanted to create a story about a brother and sister who had to go through this adventure together. I had spoken with and read about a number of twins over the years that seemed to have a unique bond. I thought it would be interesting to explore, especially if they were fraternal twins that had dramatically different personalities yet were super connected. What was your writing process like for this book? I really got to know Phil when he co-starred in a stage play I wrote that was produced in Los Angeles. Phil is famous in comedy circles as a member of Firesign Theater (look them up.) He is also the voice of many cartoon characters like “Howard” on Rugrats. During the production of the play, I asked Phil if he’d like to collaborate and he agreed. We first outlined the book describing what would happen in each chapter with a focus on how the twins would master that part of the Maze. We have some sort of puzzle or educational angle to each chapter. We then divided up the chapters and wrote them alone. Later, we literally sat in front of the computer editing the chapters together. What is your favorite part about writing books for kids? I think what Phil and I enjoyed most was creating exciting adventures that also had an educational component. We essentially snuck in learning while engaging the young readers in the story. What are you working on now? I am in the midst of writing a new stage play. Phil has a number of acting and voice- over bookings coming up and has a weekly radio interview show on KPFK-FM in Los Angeles (also available online). Phil and I are also discussing what we want to write together next. What is your favorite book? My favorite book is One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Phil’s is “the one that I’m reading now!” Giveaway
As part of this virtual book tour, one lucky winner will receive a classroom set of The Magic Maze Trilogy in paperback!
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