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Castle Glower #1
Tuesdays at the Castle
Tuesdays at Castle Glower are Princess Celie's favorite days. That's because on Tuesdays the castle adds a new room, a turret, or sometimes even an entire wing. No one ever knows what the castle will do next, and no one - other than Celie, that is - takes the time to map out the new additions. But when King and Queen Glower are ambushed and their fate is unknown, it's up to Celie, with her secret knowledge of the castle's never-ending twists and turns, to protect their home and save their kingdom. This delightful book from a fan- and bookseller-favorite kicks off a brand-new series sure to become a modern classic.
225 pages, Hardcover
First published October 25, 2011
730 people are currently reading
18173 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Day George
30 books5,903 followersJessica Day George likes chocolate, knitting, books, travel, movies, dragons, horses, dogs, and her family. These are all things to keep in mind if you ever meet her. For instance, you could bring her chocolate to make the meeting go more smoothly. You could also talk about how adorable her children are, even if you have never seen them. You could discuss dog breeds (she had a Maltese named Pippin, and grew up with a poodle mix and a Brittany Spaniel. Right now she has a Coton de Tulear named Sunny). You could talk about Norway, and how it's the Greatest Place On Earth, and Germany, The Second Greatest Place On Earth. You could ask her about yarn, and indicate a willingness to learn to knit your own socks, if you can't already do so.
And, well, you could talk about books. Jessica's books, other people's books. It's really all about the books. To paraphrase Jerry Seinfeld: Friends, family, school, they were just obstacles in the way of getting more books.
She would like it if books came with chocolate to eat while reading them.
And, well, you could talk about books. Jessica's books, other people's books. It's really all about the books. To paraphrase Jerry Seinfeld: Friends, family, school, they were just obstacles in the way of getting more books.
She would like it if books came with chocolate to eat while reading them.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,904 reviews
May 14, 2025
Just finished reading the manuscript, prior to beginning the Big Edit. Really excited about this book, the first in a middle grade series that will explore the endless possibilities of turning an eleven-year-old princess loose in a magic castle!
*Reading aloud to my kids, March 2012.
*Reading aloud to my kids, and also to prep for Fridays, June 2014.
*Read aloud via FB and Insta Live for the King's English Bookshop during a global pandemic! Had honestly forgotten many of the fun little details of this book! And also found a couple of things that I wish I could change . . . nitpicks like the color of the flag matching the soldier's uniforms . . . totally ridiculous, but it's why I don't read my own books after they're published and it's too late to make changes! :)
*Read aloud to my kids, partially because my youngest doesn't remember it, partially for . . . reasons.
*Reading aloud to my kids, March 2012.
*Reading aloud to my kids, and also to prep for Fridays, June 2014.
*Read aloud via FB and Insta Live for the King's English Bookshop during a global pandemic! Had honestly forgotten many of the fun little details of this book! And also found a couple of things that I wish I could change . . . nitpicks like the color of the flag matching the soldier's uniforms . . . totally ridiculous, but it's why I don't read my own books after they're published and it's too late to make changes! :)
*Read aloud to my kids, partially because my youngest doesn't remember it, partially for . . . reasons.
July 28, 2017
Review also posted at Fantasy Literature.
Though I enjoy some YA fiction, I don't read many middle grade books at this point in my life unless my 12 year old really twists my arm. But the idea behind Tuesdays at the Castle just sounded so fun that I couldn't resist when I saw it on the library shelf. Its pages were waving to me, I swear!
Eleven year old Princess Celie and her royal family live in Castle Glower, which has a life and sometimes quirky opinions of its own and takes an interest in the affairs of the kingdom. Rooms and corridors appear and disappear, or move from one part of the castle to another, or grow or shrink depending on whether the person staying in the room is favored by the castle or not. Castle Glower also takes an active role in choosing the next ruler: the current king's 8x great-grandfather:
When the king and queen disappear on a trip and are presumed dead, Celie and her older brother and sister are left to hold the kingdom together, which becomes even more difficult when some neighboring princes--with their guards and entourages--come for the memorial service and won't leave, and the Council proves untrustworthy. Luckily the Castle is on their side!
Tuesdays at the Castle is charming and enjoyable, even for some older readers. It had enough tongue-in-cheek humor to make the story go down easily and it kept me interested to the end, though I really wish I could have read this when I was twelve. My 12 year old son gave it a big thumbs up.
Tuesdays at the Castle now has four sequels, so there's lots more fun and adventure with Celie and her beloved Castle for readers who enjoy this one.
Though I enjoy some YA fiction, I don't read many middle grade books at this point in my life unless my 12 year old really twists my arm. But the idea behind Tuesdays at the Castle just sounded so fun that I couldn't resist when I saw it on the library shelf. Its pages were waving to me, I swear!
Eleven year old Princess Celie and her royal family live in Castle Glower, which has a life and sometimes quirky opinions of its own and takes an interest in the affairs of the kingdom. Rooms and corridors appear and disappear, or move from one part of the castle to another, or grow or shrink depending on whether the person staying in the room is favored by the castle or not. Castle Glower also takes an active role in choosing the next ruler: the current king's 8x great-grandfather:
had become king when Glower the Sixty-ninth's only heir had turned out to be a nincompoop. Legend had it that the Castle had repeatedly steered the old king's barber to the throne room for days until the Royal Council had him declared the next king, while the young man who should have been Glower the Seventieth found himself head-down in a haystack after having been forcibly ejected from the Castle through the water closet.The Castle also intervenes in love lives: Celie's father, the king, "married the beautiful daughter of the Royal Wizard when the Castle guided them into the same room and then sealed the doors for a day."
When the king and queen disappear on a trip and are presumed dead, Celie and her older brother and sister are left to hold the kingdom together, which becomes even more difficult when some neighboring princes--with their guards and entourages--come for the memorial service and won't leave, and the Council proves untrustworthy. Luckily the Castle is on their side!
Tuesdays at the Castle is charming and enjoyable, even for some older readers. It had enough tongue-in-cheek humor to make the story go down easily and it kept me interested to the end, though I really wish I could have read this when I was twelve. My 12 year old son gave it a big thumbs up.
Tuesdays at the Castle now has four sequels, so there's lots more fun and adventure with Celie and her beloved Castle for readers who enjoy this one.
September 5, 2011
I am a fan of Jessica Day George. There is no denying that. But most of what I've read by her has been more on the YA side than the middle grade side, so even though I was super excited for Tuesdays at the Castle, there was still the question of whether I would like her MG stuff. I'm not sure why I was worried. It flowed along so well and kept me going. Two sittings and I pretty much engulfed it all, continuously telling myself "I should stop after X, I should stop after Y..." and I just couldn't seem to do it.
Tuesdays at the Castle is absolutely darling. I don't know how to make that not sound like a creepy old aunt who wants to pinch people's cheeks, but it's true, it was darling. There is an...effervescence to George's characters that I just love, and Celie was no exception. [I guess if I'm being honest, I kinda did want to pinch her cheeks...] George has a talent for writing books that are wholesome without being boring or saccharine, and are just plain fun to boot. Parents will find little that is objectionable in Tuesdays at the Castle - for the most part. I mean, an assassination attempt on a 14 year old might be a little harder to explain to someone on the younger side of the scale, but generally it is very clean and handles delicate situations without being too adult or inappropriate, but ALSO without making light and taking away the tension. And even though it will get the parent approval stamp, it's never in that way that it ends up being off-putting for kids (mom said I can read it and now I don't want to...). It's a great adventure story with kids at the helm, and because of that, it is delightful.
I think so many kids are going to read this and root for the children of Castle Glower as they outsmart and one-up the scheming adults in the story. I think this is one that will capture a lot of hearts and imaginations. The added fantastical element of the living Castle Glower and Celie's relationship with it lends a great magic to the story. It feels so companionable, and the Castle really becomes a character of its own, and you care about it just as much as you do its inhabitants. The relationship amongst the siblings was nice, too, with good dynamics and distinct personalities. They each have their thing that sets them apart, and their take on the situation and what to do, and they work together and play off of each other nicely. But it's the the relationship between Celie and the Castle that really stands out and sets the book apart. It's such a fun fantastic take on a story, and to give a place such personality will really appeal to young readers (and old readers. and those in between). It's just this great adventure story, without ever having left home.
I think what I like the most though is that even though it's a series, it makes a great stand-alone. It's so rare to get any book that functions as a complete story in and of itself these dayss. This is the beginning to a series (of course), but George understands the need for completion and she doesn't leave the reader hanging as so many do, or toss in some cliff-hanger or hook for the next book. She (and her publishers, thank god) seem to realize that if you just do the book well people will read the rest. No gimmick required. It's so nice to get a self contained story where everything is wrapped up nicely, there is a beginning/middle/end, etc - a clear cut everything, settled and whole, that leaves you feeling as if it's complete. I appreciate that, I really do, even if I do intend to read the next book (and I do).
This one hits stores in about 1 month, and if you're a teacher or have kids in this in-between age where they need something that will hold their attention without being too adult, this is definitely one for the to-get list. :)
Tuesdays at the Castle is absolutely darling. I don't know how to make that not sound like a creepy old aunt who wants to pinch people's cheeks, but it's true, it was darling. There is an...effervescence to George's characters that I just love, and Celie was no exception. [I guess if I'm being honest, I kinda did want to pinch her cheeks...] George has a talent for writing books that are wholesome without being boring or saccharine, and are just plain fun to boot. Parents will find little that is objectionable in Tuesdays at the Castle - for the most part. I mean, an assassination attempt on a 14 year old might be a little harder to explain to someone on the younger side of the scale, but generally it is very clean and handles delicate situations without being too adult or inappropriate, but ALSO without making light and taking away the tension. And even though it will get the parent approval stamp, it's never in that way that it ends up being off-putting for kids (mom said I can read it and now I don't want to...). It's a great adventure story with kids at the helm, and because of that, it is delightful.
I think so many kids are going to read this and root for the children of Castle Glower as they outsmart and one-up the scheming adults in the story. I think this is one that will capture a lot of hearts and imaginations. The added fantastical element of the living Castle Glower and Celie's relationship with it lends a great magic to the story. It feels so companionable, and the Castle really becomes a character of its own, and you care about it just as much as you do its inhabitants. The relationship amongst the siblings was nice, too, with good dynamics and distinct personalities. They each have their thing that sets them apart, and their take on the situation and what to do, and they work together and play off of each other nicely. But it's the the relationship between Celie and the Castle that really stands out and sets the book apart. It's such a fun fantastic take on a story, and to give a place such personality will really appeal to young readers (and old readers. and those in between). It's just this great adventure story, without ever having left home.
I think what I like the most though is that even though it's a series, it makes a great stand-alone. It's so rare to get any book that functions as a complete story in and of itself these dayss. This is the beginning to a series (of course), but George understands the need for completion and she doesn't leave the reader hanging as so many do, or toss in some cliff-hanger or hook for the next book. She (and her publishers, thank god) seem to realize that if you just do the book well people will read the rest. No gimmick required. It's so nice to get a self contained story where everything is wrapped up nicely, there is a beginning/middle/end, etc - a clear cut everything, settled and whole, that leaves you feeling as if it's complete. I appreciate that, I really do, even if I do intend to read the next book (and I do).
This one hits stores in about 1 month, and if you're a teacher or have kids in this in-between age where they need something that will hold their attention without being too adult, this is definitely one for the to-get list. :)
January 1, 2025
ORIGINIAL REVIEW, BELOW. (CONTAINS SPOILERS)
Beware – I’m sick and don’t have it altogether so this review might be a bit more fangirling than review.
When I first started this story I thought it was going to be a bit more zany and with more of a Christopher Healy vibe– after all, we have a castle that magically rearranges itself to order.
Boy, was I wrong. This book was whimsical, but definitely not wacky! And while there is a gentle, sophisticated humor throughout the book, the style is never zany. Beautifully and poignantly written – when I the reader first received news that the Queen and King were “dead” – I felt the blow as keenly as the characters, and quickly realized, like them, that I was deeply immersed in a delicate game of politics and a heartfelt story of a family pitted against the odds. Wonderful style and perfect plot!
AND CAN I JUST SCREAM FOREVER ABOUT THE CHARACTERS? Oh my goodness, the characters! Every single one of them was solid gold. I can’t remember a book off the top of my head where I loved every character. I especially loved Pogue and Lulath. #eeek And of course, Castle Glower itself is a character in and of itself – rather reminding me of the Enterprise of Star Trek the Original Series, when the inanimate ship had a kind of personality and heart.
It was also a treat to read a story about siblings that actually LIKE each other and work as a team – what a rare delight!
It’s just been a while since I read that magically captivated me like this book – I want to hug it, stroke it, and perhaps keep it under my pillow.
More shocking then that – I am actually going to buy a brand new, hardcover copy of this instead of buying a cheap copy because this is a book to treasure and admire forever.
When I closed this book, it was with a bit of an achy panic – how COULD the adventures of Castle Glower be over? And then I turned the page, and lo and behold, there was a sneak peak of book two! Oh joyous tidings! I instantly Googled it and realized there is an entire SERIES.
I’m coming for you.
Beware – I’m sick and don’t have it altogether so this review might be a bit more fangirling than review.
When I first started this story I thought it was going to be a bit more zany and with more of a Christopher Healy vibe– after all, we have a castle that magically rearranges itself to order.
Boy, was I wrong. This book was whimsical, but definitely not wacky! And while there is a gentle, sophisticated humor throughout the book, the style is never zany. Beautifully and poignantly written – when I the reader first received news that the Queen and King were “dead” – I felt the blow as keenly as the characters, and quickly realized, like them, that I was deeply immersed in a delicate game of politics and a heartfelt story of a family pitted against the odds. Wonderful style and perfect plot!
AND CAN I JUST SCREAM FOREVER ABOUT THE CHARACTERS? Oh my goodness, the characters! Every single one of them was solid gold. I can’t remember a book off the top of my head where I loved every character. I especially loved Pogue and Lulath. #eeek And of course, Castle Glower itself is a character in and of itself – rather reminding me of the Enterprise of Star Trek the Original Series, when the inanimate ship had a kind of personality and heart.
It was also a treat to read a story about siblings that actually LIKE each other and work as a team – what a rare delight!
It’s just been a while since I read that magically captivated me like this book – I want to hug it, stroke it, and perhaps keep it under my pillow.
More shocking then that – I am actually going to buy a brand new, hardcover copy of this instead of buying a cheap copy because this is a book to treasure and admire forever.
When I closed this book, it was with a bit of an achy panic – how COULD the adventures of Castle Glower be over? And then I turned the page, and lo and behold, there was a sneak peak of book two! Oh joyous tidings! I instantly Googled it and realized there is an entire SERIES.
I’m coming for you.
March 22, 2012
I made the mistake of picking this up after midnight (not telling how far after midnight) to settle down a bit before bed. Four hours later (yes, I know, I'm actually kind of a slow reader—certainly compared to some) I finished the book with a sense of satisfaction that overrode the impending doom of waking in two hours to go to work.
This book is aimed at a bit younger audience than I usually read (middle grade?). I love YA novels and wouldn't dream of disparaging a book based on its target market, so don't take that as limiting or a condemnation. I note it as a way of highlighting how very well-written and engaging the book is. The protagonist, Celie, is 11 and the writing is about that grade level as well. I imagine that kids around that age, and a few years on either side, will find it a natural read. But the book is also completely accessible to older audiences, and even (if you're like me) captivating.
The central conceit of the novel, a magically sapient castle, is enchantingly drawn. Castle Glower, you see, chooses its own royalty. One royal council took a week of the butcher (I think. I don't have the book with me while writing this review) accidentally walking into their meetings before taking the hint and crowning him the next king. One heir found himself rejected because "he was a nincompoop." The current royal family—descendants of the former butcher—have come to truly love the castle and the youngest daughter, Celie, has developed a closer relationship to it than most. She has been working on her "atlas" for years and enjoys exploring new rooms and revising maps based on new additions and subtractions.
The book starts light (I laughed once per page, on average. I know because I kept track). We get to know Celie as her parents are leaving to attend the graduation of their oldest son in a city somewhat distant (the castle hinted he'd be a better wizard than heir so the second-oldest is heir). It doesn't take long, however, for dire events to catch up with Celie and her two siblings left home alone. I was so engaged in this part of the book that I only just now identify as a parent with similarly-aged kids who face danger while they're away from home. While reading, I was with the kids all the way and wanted to be with them as a peer rather than parental problem-solver. The Glower children, the oldest of whom left at home is 14, have to deal with diplomacy and tragedy and band together to fight off forces bent on taking over the kingdom using nothing but their wits, what they've learned from their parents, and what they know about the unique aspects of Castle Glower.
What follows is a ripping-good adventure story. And that, alone, would be enough to make this an excellent book. But Jessica Day George imbues the tale with additional wisdom, charm, and wit as the children try different tactics, work together, and learn to parse friend from foe. In the end, the story is about loyalty and love, teamwork and respect, betrayal and responsibility, and standing up to greed and malice even against forces that appear overwhelming.
I have no hesitation recommending this book to anybody who likes a good story. The characters are charming and that includes the castle. Rumor is that this is the first in a series and I fervently hope that is true.
This book is aimed at a bit younger audience than I usually read (middle grade?). I love YA novels and wouldn't dream of disparaging a book based on its target market, so don't take that as limiting or a condemnation. I note it as a way of highlighting how very well-written and engaging the book is. The protagonist, Celie, is 11 and the writing is about that grade level as well. I imagine that kids around that age, and a few years on either side, will find it a natural read. But the book is also completely accessible to older audiences, and even (if you're like me) captivating.
The central conceit of the novel, a magically sapient castle, is enchantingly drawn. Castle Glower, you see, chooses its own royalty. One royal council took a week of the butcher (I think. I don't have the book with me while writing this review) accidentally walking into their meetings before taking the hint and crowning him the next king. One heir found himself rejected because "he was a nincompoop." The current royal family—descendants of the former butcher—have come to truly love the castle and the youngest daughter, Celie, has developed a closer relationship to it than most. She has been working on her "atlas" for years and enjoys exploring new rooms and revising maps based on new additions and subtractions.
The book starts light (I laughed once per page, on average. I know because I kept track). We get to know Celie as her parents are leaving to attend the graduation of their oldest son in a city somewhat distant (the castle hinted he'd be a better wizard than heir so the second-oldest is heir). It doesn't take long, however, for dire events to catch up with Celie and her two siblings left home alone. I was so engaged in this part of the book that I only just now identify as a parent with similarly-aged kids who face danger while they're away from home. While reading, I was with the kids all the way and wanted to be with them as a peer rather than parental problem-solver. The Glower children, the oldest of whom left at home is 14, have to deal with diplomacy and tragedy and band together to fight off forces bent on taking over the kingdom using nothing but their wits, what they've learned from their parents, and what they know about the unique aspects of Castle Glower.
What follows is a ripping-good adventure story. And that, alone, would be enough to make this an excellent book. But Jessica Day George imbues the tale with additional wisdom, charm, and wit as the children try different tactics, work together, and learn to parse friend from foe. In the end, the story is about loyalty and love, teamwork and respect, betrayal and responsibility, and standing up to greed and malice even against forces that appear overwhelming.
I have no hesitation recommending this book to anybody who likes a good story. The characters are charming and that includes the castle. Rumor is that this is the first in a series and I fervently hope that is true.
August 30, 2018
Well, that was a darling! ;) I loved the concept, and throughout the book, the castle got more and more unpredictable and downright fantastic. Definitely not just a Tuesday thing. ;)
Celie was a great main character. I loved her curiosity and how adamantly certain she was about the meaning of some things the castle was doing. (This is so hard to keep spoiler-free, can’t you tell? XD) It was also brilliant fun how she was trying to map the ever-changing castle. Lilah was a classic older sister, a little worried and disapproving but caring deeply about her younger siblings. Rolf was one of my absolute favorite characters. He was wise and brave, as a prince should be, but also all-boy and slightly (or maybe quite) mischievous. I loved their sibling dynamic too. ;)
The children were in a pretty bad situation, it’s true, but I love how the castle kept them safe and mostly informed throughout. There were also a few amazing, loyal adults to help them which was great. It certainly eased my inner-mom’s worries some. XD I loved the surprise ally they met too--he was really sweet.
There was also a ton of spying and sneaking and even sabotage. :D :D Very fun.
Throughout the book, there were mentions of magic (a brother training to be a wizard, finding someone by using magic, and the castle itself, of course) as well as mentions of fairy folk and the arrival of one mythical creature; but there wasn’t any more than I’d expect from a fairytale, so I was perfectly comfortable with it. Unfortunately, the climax was a little bit more magical with the bad guys using a spell written out in the book which is something I never care for.
Just a note, the young prince was in danger of assassination throughout, and the youngest girl was in extreme danger at the climax, but you are very sure that the castle will save/protect them. There were also suspected deaths of family members, one use of the word “blasted”, and a young man who unabashedly flirted with all the girls. Also, when one of the girls mentions she wants to see a man’s rooms (purely for spying purposes), some of the adults are a little shocked.
Best quote: “I already have a plan,” Celie said, raising her hand as she would with her tutor. “Do you?” Rolf’s eyes gleamed. “What is it?” “I don’t think you’ll like it, Lilah,” Celie apologized straightaway. “It involves manure… a great deal of manure.” Rolf started to laugh again.
Altogether, I quite enjoyed this very safe adventure. ;)
Celie was a great main character. I loved her curiosity and how adamantly certain she was about the meaning of some things the castle was doing. (This is so hard to keep spoiler-free, can’t you tell? XD) It was also brilliant fun how she was trying to map the ever-changing castle. Lilah was a classic older sister, a little worried and disapproving but caring deeply about her younger siblings. Rolf was one of my absolute favorite characters. He was wise and brave, as a prince should be, but also all-boy and slightly (or maybe quite) mischievous. I loved their sibling dynamic too. ;)
The children were in a pretty bad situation, it’s true, but I love how the castle kept them safe and mostly informed throughout. There were also a few amazing, loyal adults to help them which was great. It certainly eased my inner-mom’s worries some. XD I loved the surprise ally they met too--he was really sweet.
There was also a ton of spying and sneaking and even sabotage. :D :D Very fun.
Throughout the book, there were mentions of magic (a brother training to be a wizard, finding someone by using magic, and the castle itself, of course) as well as mentions of fairy folk and the arrival of one mythical creature; but there wasn’t any more than I’d expect from a fairytale, so I was perfectly comfortable with it. Unfortunately, the climax was a little bit more magical with the bad guys using a spell written out in the book which is something I never care for.
Just a note, the young prince was in danger of assassination throughout, and the youngest girl was in extreme danger at the climax, but you are very sure that the castle will save/protect them. There were also suspected deaths of family members, one use of the word “blasted”, and a young man who unabashedly flirted with all the girls. Also, when one of the girls mentions she wants to see a man’s rooms (purely for spying purposes), some of the adults are a little shocked.
Best quote: “I already have a plan,” Celie said, raising her hand as she would with her tutor. “Do you?” Rolf’s eyes gleamed. “What is it?” “I don’t think you’ll like it, Lilah,” Celie apologized straightaway. “It involves manure… a great deal of manure.” Rolf started to laugh again.
Altogether, I quite enjoyed this very safe adventure. ;)
Read
May 20, 2014Whenever I read a book aimed at a young audience I have to pause and consider how I might have enjoyed it at the age for which it was written, especially if I see glimpses of a really good book in a might-have-been good.
This was one of those books. If I'd read it at age nine, I would have loved it to pieces. (Though I would have been convinced that the author stole my castle of appearing and disappearing rooms, but that, as they say, is another story.) The main thing is, at nine, I believed that adults were largely stupid. They spouted a lot of rules that they didn't obey themselves, they occupied themselves with the boringest of activities (smoking, card parties, sports, cocktails, politics) while disapproving of fun stuff (climbing fences, exploring on bikes, making up games that lasted days). So I would have been totally down with a book in which all the adults are profoundly stupid so that only the eleven year old can figure out what is going on, and make a plan to right the wrongs.
Also, at age nine, I knew little enough of physics to accept a kid who is as light as a foal being able to knock over two heavy guards in rushing past, etc.
The main idea of this book, the castle that chooses the kings of its valley, and takes care of good and bad people by imaginative means, is delightful. Celie's plans for routing the evil prince and the evil councillors (some of whom had the same soubriquet, Emissary, which confused me) were funny and imaginative. I loved how well the siblings got along, and that the teens respected Celie, though she was the youngest.
But adult me found the world building little better than a Hollywood backdrop, the king criminally ignorant (he really didn't know about the evil prince's relations at home?) and other related questions somewhat distracting. There was no sense of immediacy because everything was so conveniently altered according to whim, that I found it easy to put the book down to read something more gripping, even though it isn't very long.
So it goes in that pile that I will take back with me if a time machine is built, so that I can hand it off to my third grade self, who had read everything in the school library and was desperate for new books. I would have adored it unreservedly, because at age nine or ten I was the audience the author wrote for.
This was one of those books. If I'd read it at age nine, I would have loved it to pieces. (Though I would have been convinced that the author stole my castle of appearing and disappearing rooms, but that, as they say, is another story.) The main thing is, at nine, I believed that adults were largely stupid. They spouted a lot of rules that they didn't obey themselves, they occupied themselves with the boringest of activities (smoking, card parties, sports, cocktails, politics) while disapproving of fun stuff (climbing fences, exploring on bikes, making up games that lasted days). So I would have been totally down with a book in which all the adults are profoundly stupid so that only the eleven year old can figure out what is going on, and make a plan to right the wrongs.
Also, at age nine, I knew little enough of physics to accept a kid who is as light as a foal being able to knock over two heavy guards in rushing past, etc.
The main idea of this book, the castle that chooses the kings of its valley, and takes care of good and bad people by imaginative means, is delightful. Celie's plans for routing the evil prince and the evil councillors (some of whom had the same soubriquet, Emissary, which confused me) were funny and imaginative. I loved how well the siblings got along, and that the teens respected Celie, though she was the youngest.
But adult me found the world building little better than a Hollywood backdrop, the king criminally ignorant (he really didn't know about the evil prince's relations at home?) and other related questions somewhat distracting. There was no sense of immediacy because everything was so conveniently altered according to whim, that I found it easy to put the book down to read something more gripping, even though it isn't very long.
So it goes in that pile that I will take back with me if a time machine is built, so that I can hand it off to my third grade self, who had read everything in the school library and was desperate for new books. I would have adored it unreservedly, because at age nine or ten I was the audience the author wrote for.
July 20, 2018
What a wonderful book! So imaginative--I love this world. And I love the relationship among the family members and with the Castle. A magic castle that responds to those who dwell within it -- what a terrific idea for a book. I'm now planning to work my way through everything Jessica Day George has written. Tip for parents who are looking for books for their children: this is exciting, suspenseful, and high stakes without ever really feeling scary.
October 8, 2012
When I was 10 my dad had me help him sheetrock the basement ceiling. He piled three phone books on the tallest chair in the house, told me to scramble up as he stood on the ladder next to the chair holding a heavy piece of sheetrock flush with the ceiling. He needed help holding the sheetrock while attaching it to the ceiling. Sweat trickled down his face as I quickly clambered on top of the slippery phone books. Once my head was in position, he used a noisy power drill shooting screws into the sheetrock around me, making my perch unsteady and sending a fine spray of white powder that fell like snow on everything and everyone in the room. After sheetrocking, he taped and textured the ceiling in a unique design that I had never seen before on any of my friend's ceilings. As an architect, my dad's house has always been like a member of the family. Doors were built by him, rooms redone by him, rooms added by him, murals put on the walls by him; the design of the house was a product of his imagination; the yard - his secret garden. He is so bonded to the house that at times he'll talk about it in the third person. Family members look at each other and go, huh? We don't really get it, to be honest. How can a person be so attached to a house? Yet, we don't really think of the objects that we're attached to in our own life. Maybe we don't name them, but we do develop attachments. For some, it might be their cell phone. For me, is it my computer. His just happens to be a building. Celie in this book reminds me of my dad except she's bonded to a magical castle. It protects her and she loves it like a family member. Her bond is so strong that those who know her well recognize that love. They may go, huh, like we do with my dad, but they respect her for that connection and rely on her to communicate with the castle when they sense danger.
Celie is eleven and pouting because she can't go with her parents to pick up her brother from graduation from the College of Wizardry. She is left with her good-natured brother, Rolf, and bossy sister, Lilah. Celie loves the castle that creates new rooms when it is bored; rooms with bouncy floors, slides, and sizes or contents inside that stretch and shrink at whim and with purpose (umm... dad I want a bouncy floor in my old bedroom, if you are reading this). When Celie's parents get ambushed and are presumed dead, foreigners from neighboring kingdoms invade the castle and plot to dethrone Rolf, the newly crowned king. The three siblings have to bond together and seek the castle's help in preventing this coup.
Celie is a spunky character who changes from an innocent child in the beginning to one who must work with her siblings as a political takeover emerges around them. The three bicker somewhat in the beginning but bond together in their time of need recognizing each others strengths and using them to rid their beloved castle of the enemy. Celie is the mapmaker of the castle and knows its perimeters better than anyone. Rolf, is good at handling people and is able to hold off the Regents. Lilah is super-dooper organized and helps run the castle household or plan an attack on the enemy. The attacks begin as silly pranks that kids will enjoy that delay Rolf from signing a succession which he knows will be a death warrant. When the stakes get higher and the pranks are stopped, the tension mounts and Celie must act more mature. Strong-willed and strong-minded she takes up the task that makes for an exciting end to the story.
The author shows that not all of the Regents are villainous, but some are cowards. They are afraid to stand up for what is right. Celie calls them on this at the end and when they confess and turn to help her, it is a great example of how to try to correct a mistake. Also, Celie forgives them and does not harden her heart against their lack of judgement. She's angry and shouts but in the end does the right thing. Her leadership and good innocent heart make her an endearing character. She vacillates between being a child and acting like an adult and this makes her authentic as well. In this book when she grabs her old stuffed toy for comfort, it is touching and rings true to the character. That said, it is going to appeal to fantasy or fairy tale lovers in grades 4-6. I don't think it will appeal to older teens because the protagonist is young. The only hint of romance is between Pogue and Lilah. The author keeps you guessing with Pogue as to what side he's on in the beginning which makes for some nice tension, but it is pretty clear whose side he is on after the first third of the book.
A couple of things I wished were different but that didn't take away from my enjoyment were that I wanted the spy to use something more original than an invisibility cloak; however, kids will love the nod toward Harry Potter. Another thing I wanted to know was how Lilah changed the table into a pulley system. Celie tells Lilah to use the table chair to hold her as she rappels down the wall and Lilah takes it further and invents a pulley system. The author does a great job showing the ingenuity of the kids as they deal with the enemy as pressure increases for Rolf to do the Regents bidding. I wondered why the omnipresent castle didn't spit out Khelsh and the Emmissary in the beginning since it had that capability. Perhaps if Khelsh had crippled the castle in the beginning while practicing some black magic so that it couldn't get rid of them? Just a thought...
Just like my dad's home or "castle" is an extension of his imagination and creativity in design, the castle in this book is an extension of Celie, who is growing up and becoming independent. She draws strength from the castle's stone when she needs to be brave or bold. She looks to it for guidance, protection, and wisdom. When it can no longer protect her she must rely on her own strength and ingenuity to stand up for what is right. I believe I get it now. My dad I mean. Let this novel turn your huh's into aha's and make you marvel at the extension of Jessica Day George's creativity and imagination.
Check out these similar books:
Museum of Thieves has a building that's alive but that building is unpredictable and on the edge of being out-of-control. Good for younger students. Incarceron has an evil building with romance and violence that is more for older teens.
Reading Level 6.4
Celie is eleven and pouting because she can't go with her parents to pick up her brother from graduation from the College of Wizardry. She is left with her good-natured brother, Rolf, and bossy sister, Lilah. Celie loves the castle that creates new rooms when it is bored; rooms with bouncy floors, slides, and sizes or contents inside that stretch and shrink at whim and with purpose (umm... dad I want a bouncy floor in my old bedroom, if you are reading this). When Celie's parents get ambushed and are presumed dead, foreigners from neighboring kingdoms invade the castle and plot to dethrone Rolf, the newly crowned king. The three siblings have to bond together and seek the castle's help in preventing this coup.
Celie is a spunky character who changes from an innocent child in the beginning to one who must work with her siblings as a political takeover emerges around them. The three bicker somewhat in the beginning but bond together in their time of need recognizing each others strengths and using them to rid their beloved castle of the enemy. Celie is the mapmaker of the castle and knows its perimeters better than anyone. Rolf, is good at handling people and is able to hold off the Regents. Lilah is super-dooper organized and helps run the castle household or plan an attack on the enemy. The attacks begin as silly pranks that kids will enjoy that delay Rolf from signing a succession which he knows will be a death warrant. When the stakes get higher and the pranks are stopped, the tension mounts and Celie must act more mature. Strong-willed and strong-minded she takes up the task that makes for an exciting end to the story.
The author shows that not all of the Regents are villainous, but some are cowards. They are afraid to stand up for what is right. Celie calls them on this at the end and when they confess and turn to help her, it is a great example of how to try to correct a mistake. Also, Celie forgives them and does not harden her heart against their lack of judgement. She's angry and shouts but in the end does the right thing. Her leadership and good innocent heart make her an endearing character. She vacillates between being a child and acting like an adult and this makes her authentic as well. In this book when she grabs her old stuffed toy for comfort, it is touching and rings true to the character. That said, it is going to appeal to fantasy or fairy tale lovers in grades 4-6. I don't think it will appeal to older teens because the protagonist is young. The only hint of romance is between Pogue and Lilah. The author keeps you guessing with Pogue as to what side he's on in the beginning which makes for some nice tension, but it is pretty clear whose side he is on after the first third of the book.
A couple of things I wished were different but that didn't take away from my enjoyment were that I wanted the spy to use something more original than an invisibility cloak; however, kids will love the nod toward Harry Potter. Another thing I wanted to know was how Lilah changed the table into a pulley system. Celie tells Lilah to use the table chair to hold her as she rappels down the wall and Lilah takes it further and invents a pulley system. The author does a great job showing the ingenuity of the kids as they deal with the enemy as pressure increases for Rolf to do the Regents bidding. I wondered why the omnipresent castle didn't spit out Khelsh and the Emmissary in the beginning since it had that capability. Perhaps if Khelsh had crippled the castle in the beginning while practicing some black magic so that it couldn't get rid of them? Just a thought...
Just like my dad's home or "castle" is an extension of his imagination and creativity in design, the castle in this book is an extension of Celie, who is growing up and becoming independent. She draws strength from the castle's stone when she needs to be brave or bold. She looks to it for guidance, protection, and wisdom. When it can no longer protect her she must rely on her own strength and ingenuity to stand up for what is right. I believe I get it now. My dad I mean. Let this novel turn your huh's into aha's and make you marvel at the extension of Jessica Day George's creativity and imagination.
Check out these similar books:
Museum of Thieves has a building that's alive but that building is unpredictable and on the edge of being out-of-control. Good for younger students. Incarceron has an evil building with romance and violence that is more for older teens.
Reading Level 6.4
February 1, 2019
Note: I listened to this on audio so please pardon any misspellings that occur, especially of names, because I didn't get to see the words on a page.
I decided I wanted to read this book after one of my Goodreads and writer friends, Kate Willis wrote a review for it on her blog, "Once Upon an Ordinary" (It's a great blog, I recommend it!) and it sounded like just the kind of thing I would enjoy. This book is aimed at middle grade audiences, but I have never cared for what age a story is intended. As long as a story appeals to me, I'm willing to give it a shot. I was not disappointed. The setting for this story--inside a sentient castle that reacts to things and does things like adds extra rooms to itself all on its own--is enchanting, but what really hooked me was the adventure. Things are not all fluffy at Castle Glower, though it may seem so at first. The children of the king and queen are put to the test when (as stated in the blurb, so not a spoiler) they are brought news that their parents were ambushed while traveling and may be dead. Was it a random incident or was it a plot? That is what the royal children figure out as they and the castle team up to defend the throne.
The thing I liked the most about this book, aside from the excitement and adventure, was the characters themselves. Each of the royal children had such distinct, likable personalities and I love reading about siblings teaming up for a cause and watching out for each other. It was also nice that it wasn't just smart children against adults who are all too stupid or too mean to do anything: Some of the adults were antagonists, yes, but there were also some adults who were able and willing to help the children out, even when it was members of the castle staff.
Their interactions with the castle, and especially Celie's special connection to the castle was also fun and added something unique to the story. I honestly don't think I've ever been that concerned about the wellbeing of a castle before. :p
Overall, I enjoyed this fun little story from beginning to end, so much so that I was completely not ready for it to end and I hope to check out the rest of the series over the course of this year.
5 stars
Content Advisory for those who want to know:
Magic: The castle itself is sentient for reasons not fully understood by any of the characters, though it is theorized that maybe it was built by a wizard who imbued it with these special qualities. There are several mentions of wizards existing. (One of the royal children's older brothers is off at school learning to be a wizard.) There is brief mention of "black magic" which a certain villainous character performs once. This incident involves chanting but is not creepy and is not prolonged, but does, however, result in something bad happening that upsets the children.
Sexual content: Many young ladies in the kingdom have a crush on one male character and he can be a bit of a flirt. Nothing untoward ever happens, though. Several mentions of flirting, a mention of kissing, a few mentions of blushing.
Violence: Some of the violence is a spoiler so I'm putting this section in spoiler code.
Profanity: None.
I decided I wanted to read this book after one of my Goodreads and writer friends, Kate Willis wrote a review for it on her blog, "Once Upon an Ordinary" (It's a great blog, I recommend it!) and it sounded like just the kind of thing I would enjoy. This book is aimed at middle grade audiences, but I have never cared for what age a story is intended. As long as a story appeals to me, I'm willing to give it a shot. I was not disappointed. The setting for this story--inside a sentient castle that reacts to things and does things like adds extra rooms to itself all on its own--is enchanting, but what really hooked me was the adventure. Things are not all fluffy at Castle Glower, though it may seem so at first. The children of the king and queen are put to the test when (as stated in the blurb, so not a spoiler) they are brought news that their parents were ambushed while traveling and may be dead. Was it a random incident or was it a plot? That is what the royal children figure out as they and the castle team up to defend the throne.
The thing I liked the most about this book, aside from the excitement and adventure, was the characters themselves. Each of the royal children had such distinct, likable personalities and I love reading about siblings teaming up for a cause and watching out for each other. It was also nice that it wasn't just smart children against adults who are all too stupid or too mean to do anything: Some of the adults were antagonists, yes, but there were also some adults who were able and willing to help the children out, even when it was members of the castle staff.
Their interactions with the castle, and especially Celie's special connection to the castle was also fun and added something unique to the story. I honestly don't think I've ever been that concerned about the wellbeing of a castle before. :p
Overall, I enjoyed this fun little story from beginning to end, so much so that I was completely not ready for it to end and I hope to check out the rest of the series over the course of this year.
5 stars
Content Advisory for those who want to know:
Magic: The castle itself is sentient for reasons not fully understood by any of the characters, though it is theorized that maybe it was built by a wizard who imbued it with these special qualities. There are several mentions of wizards existing. (One of the royal children's older brothers is off at school learning to be a wizard.) There is brief mention of "black magic" which a certain villainous character performs once. This incident involves chanting but is not creepy and is not prolonged, but does, however, result in something bad happening that upsets the children.
Sexual content: Many young ladies in the kingdom have a crush on one male character and he can be a bit of a flirt. Nothing untoward ever happens, though. Several mentions of flirting, a mention of kissing, a few mentions of blushing.
Violence: Some of the violence is a spoiler so I'm putting this section in spoiler code.
Profanity: None.
September 13, 2021
Nothing is more comforting than rereading a childhood story for the fifteenth time. Every time I read this book I get struck all over again by how good it is, even though I'm twice as old as I was the first time I read it.
June 4, 2025
5 stars!!! This book is genuinely a masterpiece 😍😍 this was one of my favorite books when I was an elementary school and it aged SOOO WELL!!! It’s still one of my favorite books ever!!! I actually enjoyed this more than I did when I was younger if that’s even possible!!!!! (and I’ve read this book like six times, so the fact that the sixth time I enjoyed it the most is really saying something for a book that I read first when I was seven) I highly recommend!!!
February 25, 2017
Even though I was older than the target demographic when I read this, I still LOVED it! Simple, clean, happy fantasy! Would make a great read aloud!
September 10, 2019
Where can I find my very own magic castle? The Glower family castle is the secret ingredient that makes this book amazing. Have an unwelcome guest come to visit? The castle will make their room as uncomfortable and unappealing as it can. Need a shortcut? If the castle likes you then your route from here to there will involve fewer steps. Our heroine (Celie) clearly understands the benefits of their unpredictable castle and throughout the book we see her grow in her abilities to channel the castle to fit her needs. Celie, brother Rolph and Sister Lilah will find they need to work together to outsmart the men who are trying to take over their kingdom. Filled with unexpected twists and turns as well as a sense of humor, this would make a delightful classroom read-aloud for third grade and up.
May 20, 2019
the fact that my mom's reading this series aloud to my siblings totally counts as my having 'read' it right??? RIGHT? bc that's what I'm gonna mark it as mwahahahaaa
THIS BOOK WAS SO FUN!! just loved the writing, the characters, the world building, the humor, and everything. also my mom's voice and how she reads. yeah now I can't even read these to myself cos it ruins it lol
ANYWAY. LULATH IS THE BEST. LULATH IS THE BEST. LULATH IS THE BEST.
ok sorry had to. peace out ;D
THIS BOOK WAS SO FUN!! just loved the writing, the characters, the world building, the humor, and everything. also my mom's voice and how she reads. yeah now I can't even read these to myself cos it ruins it lol
ANYWAY. LULATH IS THE BEST. LULATH IS THE BEST. LULATH IS THE BEST.
ok sorry had to. peace out ;D
November 6, 2016
I took almost 2 years on this one, but the fun was not diminished by the extensive amount of time. If you can still call it fun by the end of the story, life in the castle had turned into something of a nightmare for the Glower children! What a great story tho, with something for everyone and a pretty darn good ending.
I just received Wednesdays in the Tower this week too, so that's up soon.
I just received Wednesdays in the Tower this week too, so that's up soon.
March 5, 2017
3/4/17 I am rereading the series in preparation for reading Saturdays at Sea, the last book in the series, and I truly do love this book and this castle.
7/12/13 Read this book again with a big grin plastered on my face. Just love it so! I liked all the siblings even more this time and think Pogue is particularly sigh-worthy and Prince Lulath, well, I wish he were real, because I'd like to hang out with him. And with the Castle! (I finished it last night and had a dream that I lived in a magically changing castle, but the rooms I discovered were a movie theater, a workout room, and a fully stocked beauty salon!)
Huzzah! I am just bursting with pride that I am related to the person who wrote this book. What a phenomenal read: once I started, I couldn't put it down! I love the characters - even, and especially, Castle Glower itself. Celie, though, is a real spit-fire - I love the way her mind works. Her connection with the Castle is such a fun aspect of the narrative. The story is exciting and fast-paced and told with creativity and a powerful sense of humor. It's packed full of the greatest, carefully crafted details, right down to the very necessary presence of feisty, small dogs and a Cook with a meat cleaver. I'm hoping for many more stories set in this world. I love, love, love this book.
7/12/13 Read this book again with a big grin plastered on my face. Just love it so! I liked all the siblings even more this time and think Pogue is particularly sigh-worthy and Prince Lulath, well, I wish he were real, because I'd like to hang out with him. And with the Castle! (I finished it last night and had a dream that I lived in a magically changing castle, but the rooms I discovered were a movie theater, a workout room, and a fully stocked beauty salon!)
Huzzah! I am just bursting with pride that I am related to the person who wrote this book. What a phenomenal read: once I started, I couldn't put it down! I love the characters - even, and especially, Castle Glower itself. Celie, though, is a real spit-fire - I love the way her mind works. Her connection with the Castle is such a fun aspect of the narrative. The story is exciting and fast-paced and told with creativity and a powerful sense of humor. It's packed full of the greatest, carefully crafted details, right down to the very necessary presence of feisty, small dogs and a Cook with a meat cleaver. I'm hoping for many more stories set in this world. I love, love, love this book.
April 19, 2014
Cute and funny and smart MG fantasy, which I enjoyed very much. Like many of my friends who've read this, I was equally taken with the castle itself (not only sentient but keeps the monarchy about more than just inheritance!) and Celie, the 11-year-old heroine. I was particularly happy that her siblings listened to her, which I'd been afraid they might not do at points. I also look forward to more of Prince Lulath when I read on in the series!
April 28, 2018
This was a really cute book. I loved Celie's character and her faith in the Castle. The Castle was such a magnificent thing. It was lovely to see Celie and her siblings protect the Castle just like it protected them. The plot was intriguing enough and I wasn't ever bored.
August 18, 2017
I started reading this book with such hopes. Unfortunately, these hopes went unfulfilled on two levels, readability and philosophically.
From a readability stand point, this book did nothing for me. I found it dragged and dragged until the last few pages, then all of the action happened all at once, then ended awkwardly. I thought that the characters were also flat and stereotyped so strongly that they were practically caricatures rather than characters. Finally, I also thought that the author was trying much too hard to be 'cute' and 'funny' and 'clever' and the writing suffered for it - OK, and also really bum and manure jokes?!? - I get that the book is written for children by why insult young people's intelligence in this way? OK, finally, finally it really creeped me out that a 22 year old man was flirting with an 11 year old girl. UGH!
From a philosophical stand point, I was clenching my teeth through the entire story, and now I think I must do an energy cleanse for having made it to the end of the book. I added the book to my TBR list because it came up on my feed and I thought 'a clever girl protagonist for a hero - the world needs more of that'. Now all I can see is that the world needs NONE of this! This book is worse than neutral; it is an anti-girl-power novel pretending to be a girl-power book. From page one, literally, the reader learns that 'little girl you can play at being a hero but: understand that it is still men who will control the government (kings, kings, kings - 79 and counting), religion (with male bishop), and academia (with male wizards); if you try and speak out or up too much we will silence you by mocking you and scolding you for having an opinion - unless we are desperate then we might listen; at the end of the day it is still the males who will come to the rescue and solve all the problems, but really do not worry your pretty little head about it - you can still be in charge of food and housekeeping. Oh, and yes, you can also spend your pretty little head worrying about boys, and how you look, and crying and sighing about things.' No, the world needs NO more of this. And, if those so-called traditional gender values are not enough, may I mention that the bad guy has a name starting with kh? Really, the world needs NO more of this.
I wish I could give zero (or fewer) stars.
From a readability stand point, this book did nothing for me. I found it dragged and dragged until the last few pages, then all of the action happened all at once, then ended awkwardly. I thought that the characters were also flat and stereotyped so strongly that they were practically caricatures rather than characters. Finally, I also thought that the author was trying much too hard to be 'cute' and 'funny' and 'clever' and the writing suffered for it - OK, and also really bum and manure jokes?!? - I get that the book is written for children by why insult young people's intelligence in this way? OK, finally, finally it really creeped me out that a 22 year old man was flirting with an 11 year old girl. UGH!
From a philosophical stand point, I was clenching my teeth through the entire story, and now I think I must do an energy cleanse for having made it to the end of the book. I added the book to my TBR list because it came up on my feed and I thought 'a clever girl protagonist for a hero - the world needs more of that'. Now all I can see is that the world needs NONE of this! This book is worse than neutral; it is an anti-girl-power novel pretending to be a girl-power book. From page one, literally, the reader learns that 'little girl you can play at being a hero but: understand that it is still men who will control the government (kings, kings, kings - 79 and counting), religion (with male bishop), and academia (with male wizards); if you try and speak out or up too much we will silence you by mocking you and scolding you for having an opinion - unless we are desperate then we might listen; at the end of the day it is still the males who will come to the rescue and solve all the problems, but really do not worry your pretty little head about it - you can still be in charge of food and housekeeping. Oh, and yes, you can also spend your pretty little head worrying about boys, and how you look, and crying and sighing about things.' No, the world needs NO more of this. And, if those so-called traditional gender values are not enough, may I mention that the bad guy has a name starting with kh? Really, the world needs NO more of this.
I wish I could give zero (or fewer) stars.
May 9, 2014
This is a charming book, and I enjoyed it very much. I loved everything about it: its cute cover, its fast-moving plotline, and its enchanting, inventive protagonist, eleven-year-old Princess Celie. I regret that I don’t belong to the book’s target audience – middle grade school children – any longer, because if I did, I’m sure I would’ve enjoyed this short novel even more.
Celie is the youngest daughter of the King of Sleyne. She lives with her family in a magical Castle, a Castle with personality. The Castle’s quirks are one of the main attractions of the book. It grows new rooms every Tuesday, changes corridors, opens new passages, and Celie considers it her duty to map all the new developments of her eccentric home. Her many-pages atlas of the Castle is her main project…until her parents disappear, and all the royal children – Celie, her older brother Rolf, and her older sister Lilah – are thrust into a scary adventure.
Betrayal and loyalty, power-hungry villains and true friends, political intrigues and siblings’ dynamics surround the children, as they bravely defend their Castle and their family. Celie is in the heart of their struggles, a daring and ingenious little heroine, always coming up with a new scheme to sabotage the treacherous interlopers. Her beloved Castle is always on her side, helping the children to deal with the terrifying foreign usurper and his flunkies.
Each little escapade the kids engage in brings on a new spiral of the tightly wound plot, as the action speeds towards denouement, and Celie discovers new staircases and new possibilities to thwart their enemies. Each page brings a new smile too, as the author’s gentle humor comes to the fore.
Despite the low page count – a bit above 200 pages, every character, even fairly minor ones, is sharply defined, sometimes in a simplified black-and-white way, but Celie outshines them all, one of the best young girl-protagonists in children’s fiction. I opened the book and I couldn’t stop reading. A pure delight.
4.5 stars
Celie is the youngest daughter of the King of Sleyne. She lives with her family in a magical Castle, a Castle with personality. The Castle’s quirks are one of the main attractions of the book. It grows new rooms every Tuesday, changes corridors, opens new passages, and Celie considers it her duty to map all the new developments of her eccentric home. Her many-pages atlas of the Castle is her main project…until her parents disappear, and all the royal children – Celie, her older brother Rolf, and her older sister Lilah – are thrust into a scary adventure.
Betrayal and loyalty, power-hungry villains and true friends, political intrigues and siblings’ dynamics surround the children, as they bravely defend their Castle and their family. Celie is in the heart of their struggles, a daring and ingenious little heroine, always coming up with a new scheme to sabotage the treacherous interlopers. Her beloved Castle is always on her side, helping the children to deal with the terrifying foreign usurper and his flunkies.
Each little escapade the kids engage in brings on a new spiral of the tightly wound plot, as the action speeds towards denouement, and Celie discovers new staircases and new possibilities to thwart their enemies. Each page brings a new smile too, as the author’s gentle humor comes to the fore.
Despite the low page count – a bit above 200 pages, every character, even fairly minor ones, is sharply defined, sometimes in a simplified black-and-white way, but Celie outshines them all, one of the best young girl-protagonists in children’s fiction. I opened the book and I couldn’t stop reading. A pure delight.
4.5 stars
June 1, 2012
I couldn't wait to read this book. It sounded so fun and magical; plus I'm a fan of Jessica Day George. Though most of her young adult books can border middle grade this was the first one with an actual girl of middle grade age. Though my 9-12 years are kind of blur to me I think the heroine Celie sounded just right.
Princess Celie is a spirited young girl who lives in this castle. A castle that changes halls, rooms, and closets seemingly on a whim and the one who knows the most about this castle is Celie. With the disappearance of her parents (the king and queen of Glower) Celie and her older siblings are in trouble. They will have to keep their wits about them and may need the castle's help more than ever.
I think younger readers would like this story. I'd love to live in a castle like that as a kid, with secret passages and a slide. Yes I said a slide, in a castle. It's the best castle I've come across in a book (at a close second is Princess Ben's). As castles go anyways, they can be quite dreary. So there is a fun castle but that is not all. Celie’s brother is in danger. We get to see Celie and her siblings put the grown-ups in their place. I personally liked the interaction between the siblings too. Oh, and the secondary characters made me laugh.
There is one thing I want to say, and that is I appreciate that this book has an ending. Let me clarify that. Pretty much every single series I've read lately has cliff hangers and though sometimes I'm good with it, it's getting on my nerves a bit. Tuesdays at the Castle is part of a series but you know what, no cliffhanger and I still want to read the next one—imagine that, it can be done.
It has humor, fun, treachery, and magic so please don't pass it up if you are looking for middle grade or children fantasy.
Princess Celie is a spirited young girl who lives in this castle. A castle that changes halls, rooms, and closets seemingly on a whim and the one who knows the most about this castle is Celie. With the disappearance of her parents (the king and queen of Glower) Celie and her older siblings are in trouble. They will have to keep their wits about them and may need the castle's help more than ever.
I think younger readers would like this story. I'd love to live in a castle like that as a kid, with secret passages and a slide. Yes I said a slide, in a castle. It's the best castle I've come across in a book (at a close second is Princess Ben's). As castles go anyways, they can be quite dreary. So there is a fun castle but that is not all. Celie’s brother is in danger. We get to see Celie and her siblings put the grown-ups in their place. I personally liked the interaction between the siblings too. Oh, and the secondary characters made me laugh.
There is one thing I want to say, and that is I appreciate that this book has an ending. Let me clarify that. Pretty much every single series I've read lately has cliff hangers and though sometimes I'm good with it, it's getting on my nerves a bit. Tuesdays at the Castle is part of a series but you know what, no cliffhanger and I still want to read the next one—imagine that, it can be done.
It has humor, fun, treachery, and magic so please don't pass it up if you are looking for middle grade or children fantasy.
March 18, 2018
Disappointingly juvenile, this doesn't have a lot of adult appeal. Fair enough I guess, the main character is eleven. I feel like the reading age might be more like 7-8.
Instead of the fantasy adventure I was expecting, the royal children save the day by playing pranks on the bad guys, Home Alone in a medieval castle. No kidding: there is supposed to be a serious, dangerous assassination plot against their family going on and they decide to solve it by smearing poop on the perpetrator's shoes and damaging their robes.
The villain, Khelsh, is as flat as a board in his plot to take over the kingdom, and in an attempt to convey his poor English - sorry, Sleynth - he talks like Yoda: "The wizards must lying be... my best assassins did I send."
Did the great King Glower not notice that his entire council was so desperate to oust him that they'd rather see a previously unknown foreigner on the throne? Why do the council want Khelsh anyway? I know these things are not the point, and I'm supposed to focus on the story's best feature, the castle that thinks for itself, changing and creating rooms as it will and of course favouring main character Celie. The castle is a pretty great feature - who wouldn't want to live there? - but I guess it just wasn't quite enough for me this time.
Instead of the fantasy adventure I was expecting, the royal children save the day by playing pranks on the bad guys, Home Alone in a medieval castle. No kidding: there is supposed to be a serious, dangerous assassination plot against their family going on and they decide to solve it by smearing poop on the perpetrator's shoes and damaging their robes.
The villain, Khelsh, is as flat as a board in his plot to take over the kingdom, and in an attempt to convey his poor English - sorry, Sleynth - he talks like Yoda: "The wizards must lying be... my best assassins did I send."
Did the great King Glower not notice that his entire council was so desperate to oust him that they'd rather see a previously unknown foreigner on the throne? Why do the council want Khelsh anyway? I know these things are not the point, and I'm supposed to focus on the story's best feature, the castle that thinks for itself, changing and creating rooms as it will and of course favouring main character Celie. The castle is a pretty great feature - who wouldn't want to live there? - but I guess it just wasn't quite enough for me this time.
January 24, 2012
Once again, a fun read. Character development was better in this one than in Princess of the Midnight Ball. Celie is tenacious and free-spirited, and I do love her bond with the castle. Rolf pulls off the protective-big-brother role very well. Pogue--well, I was convinced he was going to turn out to be a villain, because he was such a smooth-talking ladies' man at the beginning. I was actually kind of disappointed that he wasn't a double-crosser. I love books about siblings, and these siblings--who never quarrel and are always loyal and call each other "darling" and "dear"--well, I loved it and was kind of annoyed by it at the same time. I feel like George's books are at the younger (youngest?) end of the spectrum for young readers. This one kind of read like watching a cartoon. The resolution was fairly simple, the "bad guys" delivered the kind of performance you would expect from an animated villain, things like that. So . . . overall, not my favorite books FOR MYSELF in the genre, but I would encourage my daughter to read these, probably around age 8-10, or as early as she was a good enough reader to get through it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 15, 2024
This is a fun middle grade book where the castle keeps magically changing and the three children who live in it have to protect it, as well as each other and the kingdom they care about.
Lots of spying, sleuthing and sabotage! I like that this had a nice resolution and could be a stand alone read. I will likely read others in the series with my son to see what these siblings get into next.
Lots of spying, sleuthing and sabotage! I like that this had a nice resolution and could be a stand alone read. I will likely read others in the series with my son to see what these siblings get into next.
July 14, 2025
3.75 ⭐️
A quick read, but a little young for me. Ages 8+ Great
for fans of the Harry Potter series!
A quick read, but a little young for me. Ages 8+ Great
for fans of the Harry Potter series!
April 6, 2025
*5 stars!!
Welcome to an official Charlotte’s BookNook book review! Make sure to go follow my YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@charlottes_bookn...) if you haven’t already. I post video reviews and all sorts of clean bookish content! Now let’s get this review started.
This was one of my favorite middle grade book series when I was younger and I’m so glad I had a chance to read it again! I love how this series gives perfect fantasy vibes and feels like it’s written for a bit of an older middle grade crowd. That being said, I would recommend this for 11 or 12+ just because there is some violence at the end and a few harder topics. I felt like this was unique enough, but still reminiscent of Narnia to the point where it felt charming and nostalgic. I would be quick to recommend the series to anyone who likes fantasy.
Language: None that I can think of. There are mentions of someone saying “an awful phrase” or “using bad word”, but the words aren’t actually written.
LGBTQ+: none
Romance: mentions of flirting and blushing between two teens, joking about how you’ll want to kiss someone when you’re older.
Violence: a spell is said to “kill” something, it’s seen as very evil but a quick scene. Parents are assumed dead, no details. A character says he saw arrows being shot, one hits the carriage. None described as hitting people. A mirror handle is jabbed against someone evil’s hand. Crumbs are thrown into an evil someone’s eye. A girl punches an evil man in the nose which is described as breaking and blood split. Girl gets cut with knife from evil prince. Characters fight in hand to hand combat in the final chapters for the crown, and a character is knocked out by surprise of being saved by a griffin.
Religious Views: mentions of praying, saying a prayer, or praying to or thanking the saints.
Authority Roles: This book shows a lot of good vs evil and no in between. Evil adults are hated and defeated. Good adults are praised and respected (called sir and ma’am by kids, great detail) but overall the kids save the day with no help from anyone else.
Magic: The castle is thought to be “alive”. It moves rooms around as serves the royal family like a good friend. Wizards are trained up at a college to be good. There is a mention of black magic, and it is used to “kill” something. A griffin saves a royal family member in the end.
Welcome to an official Charlotte’s BookNook book review! Make sure to go follow my YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@charlottes_bookn...) if you haven’t already. I post video reviews and all sorts of clean bookish content! Now let’s get this review started.
This was one of my favorite middle grade book series when I was younger and I’m so glad I had a chance to read it again! I love how this series gives perfect fantasy vibes and feels like it’s written for a bit of an older middle grade crowd. That being said, I would recommend this for 11 or 12+ just because there is some violence at the end and a few harder topics. I felt like this was unique enough, but still reminiscent of Narnia to the point where it felt charming and nostalgic. I would be quick to recommend the series to anyone who likes fantasy.
Language: None that I can think of. There are mentions of someone saying “an awful phrase” or “using bad word”, but the words aren’t actually written.
LGBTQ+: none
Romance: mentions of flirting and blushing between two teens, joking about how you’ll want to kiss someone when you’re older.
Violence: a spell is said to “kill” something, it’s seen as very evil but a quick scene. Parents are assumed dead, no details. A character says he saw arrows being shot, one hits the carriage. None described as hitting people. A mirror handle is jabbed against someone evil’s hand. Crumbs are thrown into an evil someone’s eye. A girl punches an evil man in the nose which is described as breaking and blood split. Girl gets cut with knife from evil prince. Characters fight in hand to hand combat in the final chapters for the crown, and a character is knocked out by surprise of being saved by a griffin.
Religious Views: mentions of praying, saying a prayer, or praying to or thanking the saints.
Authority Roles: This book shows a lot of good vs evil and no in between. Evil adults are hated and defeated. Good adults are praised and respected (called sir and ma’am by kids, great detail) but overall the kids save the day with no help from anyone else.
Magic: The castle is thought to be “alive”. It moves rooms around as serves the royal family like a good friend. Wizards are trained up at a college to be good. There is a mention of black magic, and it is used to “kill” something. A griffin saves a royal family member in the end.
June 26, 2019
I'm disappointed in this book. After how much I loved George's other middle grade books, The Rose Legacy and the Dragon Slippers trilogy, which had depth, great characters and world-building, and stories that all ages can enjoy, Tuesdays at the Castle was disappointingly juvenile and boring. Perhaps it's just that the target age is lower, but as I've said, I often find middle grade books to be quite enjoyable as an adult.
At one point in the book, the 3 main kids are trying to prove 14-year-old Rolf is a capable leader who doesn't need the evil council as regents, which they say they intend to do by having him act mature and responsible. But then, rather than come up with intelligent and clever ways to undermine the council politically, they all start unironically pulling the most juvenile pranks on the councilors such as putting manure in their shoes and staining their clothes with ink. These villains are also ridiculously over-the-top evil and get no development. They want to kill the royal family and take over because they're evil and mean, and they're evil and mean simply because they are.
There isn't much world-building beyond the castle here, and what there is is sadly unimaginative. Even the titular rule of the castle changing itself only in Tuesdays is broken after the first chapter and never mentioned again. This is your very standard medieval European kingdom, and though I was at least hoping for some good feminist messages with the female main character (she does at least have agency), all the roles in this kingdom are filled exactly as you would expect based on traditional gender roles. The men have all the important roles in regards to ruling and the women are cooks, maids, and housekeepers.
At one point in the book, the 3 main kids are trying to prove 14-year-old Rolf is a capable leader who doesn't need the evil council as regents, which they say they intend to do by having him act mature and responsible. But then, rather than come up with intelligent and clever ways to undermine the council politically, they all start unironically pulling the most juvenile pranks on the councilors such as putting manure in their shoes and staining their clothes with ink. These villains are also ridiculously over-the-top evil and get no development. They want to kill the royal family and take over because they're evil and mean, and they're evil and mean simply because they are.
There isn't much world-building beyond the castle here, and what there is is sadly unimaginative. Even the titular rule of the castle changing itself only in Tuesdays is broken after the first chapter and never mentioned again. This is your very standard medieval European kingdom, and though I was at least hoping for some good feminist messages with the female main character (she does at least have agency), all the roles in this kingdom are filled exactly as you would expect based on traditional gender roles. The men have all the important roles in regards to ruling and the women are cooks, maids, and housekeepers.
November 23, 2017
4.25 stars. Really fun, suspenseful fantasy! I have to admit, though, that I expected to enjoy it more than I did. Sometimes high expectations are just NOT a good thing.
*groans* I waited wayyy too long to update this. But sometimes that's a good thing. I'm going to have to chop off the .25, and say that this one was a solid 4. I really enjoyed the different characters in this book, and the fact that they all had distinct personalities. I also enjoyed the angle of the castle being its own character. I just remember being a little disatisfied and disappointed with the ending. It seemed like there was this loooong, take-your-time-with-a-fast-clip build-up, and the ending was just. DONE. That's my only real complaint, though. I think this is definitely a solid middle-grade novel that both boys and girls can enjoy. It's fantasy without being dark. It's action without being graphic. I think this would especially work for younger readers that read much higher than their reading level. (AR level is 5.8, I would put it as appropriate for 3rd grade & up.)
One of the fifth graders that has read this really enjoyed it. She said it was one of the best books she's read this year. (Though, to be fair, I have since introduced her to narrative biography, and now THOSE are the best she's read this year.)
*groans* I waited wayyy too long to update this. But sometimes that's a good thing. I'm going to have to chop off the .25, and say that this one was a solid 4. I really enjoyed the different characters in this book, and the fact that they all had distinct personalities. I also enjoyed the angle of the castle being its own character. I just remember being a little disatisfied and disappointed with the ending. It seemed like there was this loooong, take-your-time-with-a-fast-clip build-up, and the ending was just. DONE. That's my only real complaint, though. I think this is definitely a solid middle-grade novel that both boys and girls can enjoy. It's fantasy without being dark. It's action without being graphic. I think this would especially work for younger readers that read much higher than their reading level. (AR level is 5.8, I would put it as appropriate for 3rd grade & up.)
One of the fifth graders that has read this really enjoyed it. She said it was one of the best books she's read this year. (Though, to be fair, I have since introduced her to narrative biography, and now THOSE are the best she's read this year.)
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