  | Full Text Reviews: Bulletin for the Center... - 11/01/2011 Castle Glower isn’t your typical drafty stone palace but rather a living, almost sentient edifice that seems to change weekly as it grows new rooms, remodels others, and nixes entire wings. It also has a soft spot for those mere mortals it houses, and currently Princess Celie, the youngest daughter of King Glower the 79th, has captured its stony heart, chatting with it politely and attempting to make an atlas of its ever-changing halls with her colored pencils and journal. The castle’s affection comes in handy when Celie’s parents and older brother are reportedly killed in an ambush. and it’s left to Celie and her remaining elder siblings to fend off a takeover by a foreign prince while trying to determine exactly what befell the king and queen. There is a warmth here that is utterly irresistible, both in Celie as the plucky, resourceful protagonist (who comes up with a variety of wonderfully devious and giggleworthy ways to oust the interfering prince, one of which includes manure) and the maternal, protective nature of her guardian castle. Furthermore, Celie’s devotion to her older brother and sister is appealing, and it’s refreshing to see siblings who get along despite their differing personalities. Though the political machinations behind the attempted assassination are fairly predictable, readers will be too far under the castle’s spell to notice; readaloud audiences will also be enticed by this inviting fantastical world. KQG - Copyright 2011 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. School Library Journal - 11/01/2011 Gr 4–8—Princess Celie has been trying to map out the rooms in her beloved Castle Glower. The difficulty is that it whimsically manufactures, alters, and moves its rooms around whenever it deems necessary. It has chosen the kings of Sleyne, including Celie's father, King Glower the 79th, and his heir, Celie's brother Rolf. Everyone finds the meddling castle delightful and proper until the king and queen are ambushed and presumed dead. Now it seems that the Royal Council has treason in mind as it threatens Rolf, Celie, and their sister, Lilah. Celie relies on Castle Glower's affectionate interference to help them quash the cabal and reinstate the rightful rulers. Castle Glower is the true star of this charming story of court intrigue and magic. A satisfying mix of Hogwarts and Howl's Moving Castle (Greenwillow, 1986), Castle Glower helps its true citizens, but never at the expense of plot or character development. Celie and her siblings have to display courage in order to deserve its help. Celie's escapades keep the action moving briskly. Adventure stories fans will enjoy this as much as children who wear their wizard cloaks proudly. It is a good for those not quite ready for Gail Carson Levine's Ella Enchanted (HarperCollins, 1997) or Shannon Hale's Princess Academy (Bloomsbury, 2005). Most libraries will want to add Tuesdays to their fantasy collections. While the story stands alone, it is the first in a new series.—Caitlin Augusta, Stratford Library Association, CT - Copyright 2011 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Loading...
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