Lindsay Writes

For her final project on the novel Les Misérables, my daughter Eadie wrote, recorded, and edited her own podcast. Her podcast is called “Classic Lit for Kids” and is designed to introduce younger kids to the stories of classic literature in a fun, memorable, and engaging way.

We’ve included her entire podcast below for you to listen and enjoy!

P.S. Listen all the way to the end for a funny surprise.

Classic Lit for Kids: Les Miserables

Welcome to Classic Lit for Kids. I’m Eadie, your host, and we’re glad you’re diving into another incredible book with us. Today’s story features endless chases, perilous flights, mistaken identities, and will answer the question: can a bad person truly change for good? 

We’re leaping into Les Miserables, or Les Mis as most people call it.

Les Mis was written by Victor Hugo in 1862. He was a writer who witnessed the second French Revolution, and lived to tell the tale. 

Picture this: Jean Valjean is the main character of our story.

He’s a poor laborer who has spent the last 19 years in prison… all for stealing a loaf of bread.

But get ready for the plot twist: Jean Valjean also has superhuman strength, making him memorable, especially to a police officer named Javert. 

When he finally gets out of prison, life is rough for Jean Valjean. People treat him like a villain.

And in desperation, he steals again from a bishop, the only person who has shown him any kindness at all. 

When he’s caught stealing, the bishop surprisingly shows Jean Valjean mercy, not judgment, and even gifts him the silver he stole and more.

He encourages Jean Valjean to become an honest man.

Face to face with his own deep need for forgiveness, Jean Valjean turns to God and starts a new life. 

Years go by and our story finds Jean Valjean living under a new name as a wealthy factory owner who helps countless people. 

But again, there’s a plot twist. Jean Valjean is constantly being pursued by the obsessed policeman Javert, who has recognized his superhuman strength and becomes suspicious.

Late one night, Jean Valjean receives the news that an innocent man has been mistaken for him, and will be carried off to prison for life. Throughout the night, Jean Valjean struggles with the crucial decision. 

“Do I turn myself in and go to prison, or let this man go to prison in my place, knowing I’ll be free?” 

Finally, as the sun rises over hours of prayer and deliberation, Jean Valjean decides to do the hardest thing, the right thing, and turns himself in.

But, here comes another plot twist.

Jean Valjean has a promise to keep. There’s a little girl, Cosette, who he has pledged to care for.

Javert refuses to let Jean Valjean do anything but go straight to prison.

Cleverly, Jean Valjean escapes, rescues Cosette, adopts her, and is pretty much a really great dad.

Fast forward a few more years, and Cosette is nearly all grown up and Jean Valjean is on secret identity number two. Or is it three? No matter. 

A lovesick lawyer named Marius gets a little creepy following Cosette around.

So, Jean Valjean, being the protective dad he is, makes him and Cosette disappear once again.

Cosette and Jean Valjean manage to keep doing good wherever they are, giving food and clothes to the poor people of Paris.

Their paths intersect with Marius once again, and this time, Marius manages to be a little less creepy.

In fact, Jean Valjean heroically risks his own life to save Marius during a violent rebellion against the government. This is especially good because Cosette has fallen in love with Marius.

Meanwhile, Javert has been captured by the rebels, and when Jean Valjean is given the chance for revenge, he chooses mercy and forgiveness instead.

Jean Valjean emerges as the true hero of the story, at a great old age as he is dying, he finds himself surrounded by those he loves – the true evidence of a bad life completely changed.

Whew! That was quite the story! What was your favorite part? I personally like the part when Jean Valjean rescues little Cosette out of her terrible life. 

I hope you were inspired by the themes of bravery, kindness, and forgiveness in Les Miserables. And, I hope you’ll read the whole story for yourself, when you’re a little bit older.