Tuesdays at the Castle

Gr 3–6—Castle Glower is no ordinary castle, and on Tuesdays, it changes. Sometimes it adds a new turret, secret passage, or staircase; other times, the castle removes a room or hallway. Nobody understands how the Castle does what it does, but 11-year-old Princess Celie knows the castle better than anybody, since she spends her free time exploring its depths and mapping her discoveries in her atlas. When the king and queen disappear and are presumed dead, power-hungry regents and foreign kingdoms invade and plot to dethrone Celie's brother, Rolf, the newly crowned king. Along with their sister, Lilah, the Glower children must band together and use their wits to hold on to their beloved home and kingdom. George's magic-infused adventure has a solid plot, an enchanting setting, and memorable characters. Narrator Suzy Jackson brings this spellbinding world to life, making the extraordinary sound believable. With her varied accents and menacing undertones, Jackson's depictions of the foreign dignitaries and treasonous councillors keeps the dialogue fresh and satisfying, but it's her portrayal of the feisty Celie that really stands out. Jackson imbues her with a youthful exuberance that can be heard in her quick-witted responses and her fierce declarations that her parents are still alive. Underlying it all is Celie's affection for the castle and her sense of wonder at what it can do, which Jackson deftly voices with tenderness. A highly recommended addition to libraries' middle grade collections.—Audrey Sumser, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Mayfield, OH