Tuesdays at the Castle
Jessica Day George
Bloomsbury, 2011
240 pages
Grades 4-6
Fantasy
Tuesday at the Castle series #1
Castle Glower is not your ordinary castle. It has a personality and changes its design based on what is happening and who is visiting. Eleven year old Princess Celie knows the castle best and is making a valiant attempt to map it out-not an easy task since the castle is always changing. Celie's parents leave the kingdom to attend her eldest brother's graduation from wizarding school, leaving her next oldest brother and sister in charge. Brother Rolf takes over the ruling duties, while sister Lilah assumes the running of the household. The worst happens when word arrives that Celie's parents have been ambushed on the road and are now pronounced dead. Royals from neighboring kingdoms arrive to attend the memorial service--and never leave. It seems as if one royal in particular has sights on the kingdom and begins to manipulate the council to take control away from Rolf. The three siblings-and the castle-must work together to keep the kingdom under family control and protect its people. Suspicions arise behind the disappearance of their family members and the true nature of the council. It is up to Celie, her siblings, and a surprising ally to save the day--and the kingdom.
Perfect for fans of The Land of Stories series, this tale is seeped in the world of fairytales, yet is totally original. The house is a character unto itself and Celie has an amazing relationship with it, feeling a bit like Home Alone gone medieval. Who wouldn't want to live in a magical castle that protects its inhabitants? Celie is a strong and relatable protagonist and her siblings are kind and likable. They have a cooperative relationship, which is refreshing in children's literature, and personalities that complement each other. The young people work together, using their wits and chutzpah to overcome evil adult forces. The villain is clear and dastardly, providing a foil that kids will love to hate. There is a lot of action and at times I was on the edge of my seat, wondering how the kids were going to get out of one situation or another. Readers will keep turning pages and the story as a whole reads quickly. Gentle humor and clever writing make the book that much more appealing. The story ends satisfactorily, leading readers to the next installment of the series, yet with no cliffhanger requiring you do so. A fun fantasy that can be enjoyed by a wide cross-section of readers.
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