It seems like I'm on a Jessica Day George kick right now, but this one I was reading to my boys. Tuesdays at the Castle is a GREAT books for younger kids and middle school kids or anyone who enjoys magic and fun.
This story takes place in a made-up country with many kingdoms. The kingdom of Sleyne is the main setting and specifically Castle Glower, the most amazing castle ever. The main character is Celie (short for Cecelia). She is a spunky 12 year old girl who knows the castle better than anyone. She is also the youngest princess. Her older sister, Liliah (short for Deliliah) and her brother Rolf are the other main characters in the story.
Castle Glower is a magic castle. Every Tuesday, the Castle moves, shifts, adds, or deletes rooms. No one really knows how it works, but it just does. Celie loves the castle and is determined to map it all out. She knows many things about it that others don't and finds lots of secret rooms, passageways, and hiding spots. And the Castle seems to like her back. The Castle is also particular about the people who stay there. If it doesn't like a person, it might play tricks on them, kick them out, or get them lost. On the other hand, if the Castle likes a person, it provides quick routes to places, hiding spots, and grand rooms.
In the beginning of the story, the King and Queen are traveling back from their oldest son, Bran's, graduation from wizardry school. On the way, they are attacked and killed. Everyone is devastated, even the Castle. Rolf, who is next in line, is the next king. Because he is young (only about 16/17), the Councillors plan to have a regency so they can help him. This isn't a good idea because they push Rolf into things he doesn't agree with. Rolf and his sisters also have guests visiting who came for the funeral and never left. One is Prince Khelsh from Vhervhine, a brute and all round bad guy. The other guest is Prince Lulath from Grath with his 3 little, yappy dogs who just seems curious. The Councillors want Rolf to assign Prince Khelsh as his heir apparent, but Rolf doesn't feel comfortable with that. Celie also finds out that The Emissary and Prince Khelsh plan to have Rolf killed off after Prince Khelsh is assigned heir apparent so he can take over and be king. Celie also finds out the Prince Khelsh planned the attack on her parents. He even goes so far as to perform magic on the Castle and kill it too.
Celie, Liliah, Rolf, and their friend Pogue work together to stop Prince Khelsh and the Emissary, find their parents (who aren't really dead), and save the Castle. Celie is clever and quick, the perfect combination to outsmart the bad guys. In the end, the King and Queen are found, the Castle is brought back, and Celie saves the day!
What I liked (and what my boys liked): There was humor in the book. At one point, Celie and her siblings play pranks on the Councillors, The Emissary, and Prince Khelsh. They also have help from the maids who hide the chamber pots on the men and short sheet the bed. There were times my boys were rolling on the floor or repeating the story later one. "Remember when Prince Khelsh said, 'Pee pots'?"
Another thing I liked was Celie. She was a fantastic protagonist. She was smart and sassy, but sweet and kind. She was fun to follow. Her siblings were also fun characters, but Celie was the best.
The Castle was definitely one of the best parts of the story. Who wouldn't want to live in a magic castle? I wonder what kind of room it would give me?
What I didn't like: There wasn't much I didn't like in this story. It was just fun and kept you wanting to read more all the time. My boys loved it and give it a high recommendation. We already ordered the next book in the series, and they can't wait!
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