Thursdays with the Crown

Gr 3–6—The story picks up after Celie's beloved Castle Glower transported Celie, two of her siblings, some friends, and her griffin, Rufus, into a mysterious land. Now, Celie and her friends must find the lost piece of the Castle's Eye so they can return home and help heal the Castle, which has been acting increasingly strange. As they seek answers and hunt for the Eye, the group navigates a poisoned lake, explores the original castle builder's tomb, hatches two griffin eggs, and meets Rufus's parents. They also encounter two mysterious wizards, and they must decide which one to trust as they learn about the Castle's long history. This well-paced story is filled with adventures at every turn, and although there are many different characters to keep track of, narrator Suzy Jackson uses distinctive voices for each.