Why Not? Because I Said So Book Reviews and Author Interviews. : Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George

Product Details:

Title: Tuesdays at the Castle
Author: Jessica Day George
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens; 1 edition (October 25, 2011)
Genre: Fantasy
Reading level: Ages 8 and up
Hardcover: 240 pages
ISBN-10: 1599906449
ISBN-13: 978-1599906447

Book Description:

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.

My Review:

Tuesdays at the Castle is a great addition to the writing of Jessica Day George. This book was written for the Middle-Grade group, 8-12, but even I enjoyed it as an adult reader. As a teacher of the targeted age group, I know that they will love this book!

I have always loved castles, especially magical ones. This castle is like no other one, because it is alive. It seemed to me like it had a personality and feelings. It will do things for the royal family, especially the young Princess, Celie. When she wishes to go somewhere or have a door appear, the castle will honor her request. With the King and Queen of Glower, and their oldest son, Bran, missing and presumed dead, enemies come calling and trying to slowly take over the castle and the kingdom. The remaining siblings, Rolf, who will be the new King, and sister Lilah and Celie, will do what ever they can to keep their beloved Glower castle safe.

The things that happen next are exciting and also quite funny. I love the many humorous things that the castle does to protect itself and the royal siblings. It will change and add rooms, hallways and secret passageways. I especially liked when the castle was able to change where many of the rooms were located. The castle would also furnish the rooms, lavishly to almost bare, according to how well it liked the occupants.

I loved many of the characters in this novel, but especially main character, eleven-year-old Princess Celie. She is brave, spunky and downright likable. You bond with her right from the beginning. Celie is a force to reckon with and the bad guys, foreign Prince Khelsh and the way-word council members, can’t handle her.I also liked the fighting spirits of Rolf and Lilah and their friend Pogue. They do some pretty clever things to the "bad" guys, one having to do with manure and another with disappearing chamber pots. :)

All readers will love this new, fun-filled fantasy. It is a fast read that will leave you wanting to read more of Jessica’s work. Jessica happens to be one of my favorite authors. If you have never read any of her books, you need to head to Amazon.com or goodreads and read about her books.(AND then buy some!!) I can tell you that you will never be disappointed in her writing.

News From Jessica's Blog:

(Here is recent book news that Jessica has posted that her fans will be happy to hear!)

"TUESDAYS AT THE CASTLE is the first book in a new series, and is a middle grade book about a young princess who lives in a magical castle. There will be at least three books about Princess Celie and her castle, and there is more information about this specific book on the book's page.

My next book will come out next fall (roughly) and is the third and FINAL book about the Twelve Dancing Princesses. It is entitled PRINCESS OF THE SILVER WOOD. It is Princess Petunia's story, and is based on Little Red Riding Hood."

About the Author:

Jessica 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 has a Maltese named Pippin, and grew up with a poodle mix and a Brittany Spaniel). 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.
Jessica Day George earned a BA in Humanities/Comparative Literature from Brigham Young University, where she enjoyed classes in Pottery and Old Norse, and dutifully forced herself to take Algebra and Biology. Originally from Idaho, she now resides in Salt Lake City, Utah, with her husband, their two children and a five pound Maltese named Pippin.

Visit Jessica at http://www.JessicaDayGeorge.com

**I received a review e-copy of this book from Netgalley. In no way did this influence the honest review that was given.**